jmahto Posted May 14, 2015 Share #1 Â Posted May 14, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) I recently bought an used 90mm macro-elmar M and notice that the collapsible section is too loose. It slides out easily with its own weight. It's perfectly fine after it is locked in the extended position and pictures are sharp. Â I want to know whether it is normal to be too loose. Â (I have an old 90mm elmar collapsible which is pretty snug in comparison) Â Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 Hi jmahto, Take a look here 90mm Macro-Elmar M too loose - is it normal. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
jmahto Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share #2 Â Posted May 14, 2015 Wanted to clarify that it is loose (wobbles a little) only when it is not fully extended. It does not wobble once extended and locked. Is it normal? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Henry Posted May 14, 2015 Share #3 Â Posted May 14, 2015 Jayant , you have to pull the tube outward in the direction of clockwise until blocking tube. To retract the tube turn in reverse.Remarkable and light lens. I use it as a tele lens without macroadapter Best Henry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted May 14, 2015 Share #4  Posted May 14, 2015 Jayant's problem is that the lens does not stay in the collapsed state when the camera is pointing downwards. There is too little friction.  My collapsible 50mm Elmar on the M does the same. So does the collapsible lens on my II, but it slides more slowly. I live with that as I need the lens to be collapsed in the bag only. When the camera is out of the bag, I usually extend the lens so as to be ready for taking pictures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted May 14, 2015 Share #5 Â Posted May 14, 2015 It does not wobble once extended and locked. Is it normal? Â So you have no problem when the lens is locked if i understand well. It should not wobble when it is unlocked though. Nothing to worry about but the lens needs some CLA probably. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted May 14, 2015 Share #6 Â Posted May 14, 2015 I rejected an otherwise good used specimen of the lens you question because the aperture ring was so stiff that, changing a setting, unlocked the lens which then collapsed. It went back to Germany for servicing and came back with the same fault. Possibly not what you are seeing, but indicative of potential problems in older specimens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share #7 Â Posted May 14, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Jayant , you have to pull the tube outward in the direction of clockwise until blocking tube. To retract the tube turn in reverse. Remarkable and light lens. I use it as a tele lens without macroadapter Best Henry My lens pulls out straight and I can lock it in any three position (even aperture marking pointing down). My very old 90 Elmar collapsible can be pulled out in any one position and is very snug. Â Does it mean I have a defective copy? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thighslapper Posted May 14, 2015 Share #8  Posted May 14, 2015 This is a common and variable problem with all of the retractable versions of Leicas lenses.  Some stiff, some slide easily, some wobble ....... makes no difference to the actual function and accuracy.  They are hand assembled and adjusted ..... and how this is adjusted depends on the parts tolerances and how the assembler judges 'stiff enough' ....  Mine 'falls out' with the hood attached .... which adds extra weight ..... but not if it is off .......  I doubt Leica would correct it unless specifically asked ..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share #9  Posted May 14, 2015 Jayant's problem is that the lens does not stay in the collapsed state when the camera is pointing downwards. There is too little friction.  My collapsible 50mm Elmar on the M does the same. So does the collapsible lens on my II, but it slides more slowly. I live with that as I need the lens to be collapsed in the bag only. When the camera is out of the bag, I usually extend the lens so as to be ready for taking pictures. Yes, there is too little friction. I can also live with it since I got it relatively cheaper than what I see for others as long as it is not defective.  Is there any harm in leaving it extended and locked? After all the difference in height is very little and the weight doesn't change by collapsing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share #10  Posted May 14, 2015 This is a common and variable problem with all of the retractable versions of Leicas lenses.  Some stiff, some slide easily, some wobble ....... makes no difference to the actual function and accuracy.  They are hand assembled and adjusted ..... and how this is adjusted depends on the parts tolerances and how the assembler judges 'stiff enough' ....  Mine 'falls out' with the hood attached .... which adds extra weight ..... but not if it is off .......  I doubt Leica would correct it unless specifically asked ..... Thanks. That is reassuring. I will not return it.  I tried it yesterday and compared (both @f4) with my old tele-elmarit-m. There is night and day difference towards the edges (2/3 down). I am happy with it's performance. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted May 14, 2015 Share #11 Â Posted May 14, 2015 Yes, there is too little friction. I can also live with it since I got it relatively cheaper than what I see for others as long as it is not defective. Â Is there any harm in leaving it extended and locked? After all the difference in height is very little and the weight doesn't change by collapsing. I don't see how that should harm the lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gvaliquette Posted May 14, 2015 Share #12  Posted May 14, 2015 jmahto, relax!  I bought mine new, and it does exactly the same thing. Point the camera downwards and the lens assembly slides out on its own. Lock it into place and it stays put. And the images are perfect.  Nothing to worry about! Just like pop, I lock it when I pull it out of the bag and collapse it when putting it away.  Unlike the 50mm Elmars, you can collapse this lens on the camera without any worry since it does not protrude from the mount when collapsed.  Just go out there and enjoy it. It is a great little lens and it does not need a CLA.  Guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share #13  Posted May 14, 2015 jmahto, relax!  I bought mine new, and it does exactly the same thing. Point the camera downwards and the lens assembly slides out on its own. Lock it into place and it stays put. And the images are perfect.  Nothing to worry about! Just like pop, I lock it when I pull it out of the bag and collapse it when putting it away.  Unlike the 50mm Elmars, you can collapse this lens on the camera without any worry since it does not protrude from the mount when collapsed.  Just go out there and enjoy it. It is a great little lens and it does not need a CLA.  Guy Yes. I decided to keep it. I shot few test pictures at f4 and I am impressed. Now this is part of my hiking kit. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fgcm Posted May 15, 2015 Share #14  Posted May 15, 2015 The solution is some damping grease on the barrel.  have a look here. http://www.nyelubricants.com/damping-greases Many other brands offer similar products.  Ciao Franco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted May 15, 2015 Share #15  Posted May 15, 2015 The solution is some damping grease on the barrel.   Done that at my own expense with one of my Elmars 50... Any grease or other lubricant on the "tube" can only decrease the friction. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fgcm Posted May 15, 2015 Share #16 Â Posted May 15, 2015 Â Done that at my own expense with one of my Elmars 50... Any grease or other lubricant on the "tube" can only decrease the friction. Â Â Â Not if you choose a proper damping grease like a Nyogel 795 or an even thicker gel. Skip any damping grease for focusing helicoids. Too thin. A car industry damping works better. Â To do the best job, you should separate the optical assembly from the barrel and then the barrel from the focusing sub-assembly. put a little of damping grease on the inner side of the focusing sub assembly, on the felt pad, where the barrel slides. Â This works very fine on my 50 Â I have never opened the 90, but I suspect it's done in the same way as the other "fifties". Â Ciao Franco Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmahto Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share #17  Posted May 15, 2015 I had reassuring comments.... now what about reassuring picture from the same lens? Full pic and crop of the pic. This is going to be my landscape lens but little bit of flower won't hurt.   (@f4, focused via LV on LCD - no EVF and local processing in LR5) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/245010-90mm-macro-elmar-m-too-loose-is-it-normal/?do=findComment&comment=2816645'>More sharing options...
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