Tr Elmar 28-35-50mm

[rodflower]

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I bought a second hand Tri Elmar 28-35-50 (first version) recently. At the 28 and 35 mm settings the results are superb but at 50 mm, there is a noticeable reduction in contrast in the upper middle of the image which shows up in the final image as though it was lens flare and spoils the image. This is present whether or not I use a hood and is a feature of the lens using both film and digital media. I have rung Leica about this but they didn't recognise any such problems with this lens. I have also looked through all the relevant written material including Erwin Putts book on Leica lenses, and found no mention of this effect although it is so noticeable that it would be immediately obvious to anyone using it. Has anyone else experienced this - or do I have a duff lens?

[Guest]

I have one of the latest lenses Leica produced before they stopped making it and have not experienced any problems.

As you may be aware the design is mechanically very complicated and I was advised not to get heavy handed or aggressive when changing to different focal length.I suspect that yours needs a bit of attention back at Leica.It is a terrific lens with the only real limitation pos being F4.If the weather is dull I use something else so not a problem.Just had a 2 week vacation and only used this lens on my M9.

BrianP

[MarkP]

Duff - send it to Germany.

 

I too have a pristine very late production E49 unit and have had no problems at 50mm.

 

My only gripes are that f4 is a bit slow at times (oh for f2.8 ) and some barrel distortion at 28mm but I try to avoid using the lens in situations where this matters.

 

Otherwise it is a fabulous lens, renders lovely images. Beautiful on the Monochrom, and with the M240s sensor (like other older lenses such as the 40 Summicron, 50 Noctilux and 75 Summilux).

[wda]

rodflower, welcome to the forum!

You bought the lens second-hand. I would report the issue to the vendor. A dealer should ensure that the lens performs to specification. Your copy clearly does not.

 

I have a second version which I used with film before digital. It is a superb lens, slightly less sharp at 28mm in big enlargements.

 

F4 is a limitation in some spheres. However, with the M9 I have used mine for portraits indoors with amazing results, provided you accept the need for higher ISOs. You do not need to stop down to improve clarity or coverage.

[efreed2754]

Rod, there are reported flare issues from oblique angled light at 50. I had it and mine is the latest version which has been more internally baffled.

 

Do a search in the forum for some threads. I sent mine to Leica with sample images showing the flare. They returned it better but not immune to flare occasionally at 50 for light out of the image.

 

Still my go to travel lens!

[k_g_wolf ✝]

After quite a few flare shots mostly (within the top part of the photograph and not only at the 50mm- setting) I started to shade the upper part of the lens with my left hand as a workaround. Works fine,

so far.

 

The flare seems to be a weakness of the Tri-Elmar design and can´t be eliminated completley. Despite the flare I use the lens as one of my most used ones, 3 focal lenghts come VERY handy.

 

 

Best

GEORG

[AlanJW]

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Have not had issues with v2 28-35-50 at all. I always use the lens shade. A marvelous travel lens. My travel kit is often MATE, WATE and a Summilux 50 for times when f/4 won't do.

 

 

OP should send it in for proper diagnosis.

[MarkP]

Have not had issues with v2 28-35-50 at all. I always use the lens shade.

 

Forgot to mention in my post above that I also always use the shade.

[thighslapper]

Duff - send it to Germany.

 

I too have a pristine very late production E49 unit and have had no problems at 50mm.

 

 

Ditto. No issues.

 

I did however have an 18/3.8 which had a very noticeable out of focus area mid left of centre with the rest of the image field ok. Most noticeable wide open. I assume it was a duff lens element and was exchanged.

 

With a complex lens like the tri-elmar and the exotic glass it used anything is possible ... but the fact it occurs at one setting suggests some sort of misalignment ....

[swamiji]

I have had several issues following the 6-bit coding, in NJ. First was the loss of the aperture stops, second was the free rotation of the DOF scale, and finally the falling off of the entire front of the lens. It took two trips to Solms to have it back in a workable state. So I am quite careful with it now.

[airscrew]

I have v1 which I bought as new in 1999. I used it quite a lot with M6 TTL and on 2005 discovered some flare issues in some pictures (can’t remember the focal length). I sent an email and scanned sample image to Leica Solms and got an answer:

 

“… I am sorry about this problem and talk with our lens designer. It could be possible that oil is at one of the lens elements which make this effect. The best is if you send the lens to our customer service for checking …”

 

I sent it in and it came back problem solved, free of charge. Maybe hot climate (in Indonesia & Australia) had vaporized some lubrication oil to lens surface.

[Guest]

Could also be the angle of view responsible for flare?

If one gets a lot of sunlight into the lens, each lens will outshine.

In spite of the UV / IR filter the M8 again shows additional magenta.

 

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M8.2, MATE 50 3rd Ed. #394xxxx, LR 5, 13. June 2014.