First used lens: 135mm elmarit. Goggles out of alingment, no aparature exif, what else to look out for.

[Adam]

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I just got a 135 Elmarit from B&H for my M-P240. It looks to be in very good condition. This is my first used lens so any tips on what to look out for would be appreciated.

 

I noticed three things:

 

1. Focus via goggles does not work, it appears to be out of alignment. Focus via EVF focus is fine, my OVF works fin with other lens.

 

Is there any way to fix this at home, or should I send it to B&H under warranty?

 

 

2. Aperture exif is missing. I set the lens in the camera manually but exif is always 2.8. Is there a way to fix this?

 

 

3. It has a 7 drop in ring but there is no way to use a threaded filter unless I am missing something. Is there a way to use a 55mm filter on this lens?

 

 

Any help would be appreciated!

 

Here is a pic, f2.8 ISO 3200 (focus on first eye via EVF)

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[Adam]

Power of google, aligning googles with rangefinder.

 

http://photo.net/leica-rangefinders-forum/00LXxd

[gyoung]

There was a previous thread here about the goggles on the 135mm Elmarit. Mine are both adjustable and removable but it emerged that others have lenses which differ from that. A search of the forum should find it.

 

Gerry

[jankap]

I just got a 135 Elmarit from B&H for my M-P240. It looks to be in very good condition. This is my first used lens so any tips on what to look out for would be appreciated.

 

I noticed three things:

2. Aperture exif is missing. I set the lens in the camera manually but exif is always 2.8. Is there a way to fix this?

3. It has a 7 drop in ring but there is no way to use a threaded filter unless I am missing something. Is there a way to use a 55mm filter on this lens?

1. I don´t know. What is not aligned? The windows in the camera are at the same position since the M3, I think (I have no M).

2. The aperture is not connected with the camera. Only the focal length is coded. Does the lens carry the 6 element code?

3. You could let modify the 7 drop in ring. I glued an empty filter in my Telyt. But do you need filters? A pola makes sense in case of reflections, but the rest you can forget. 

Jan

[jaapv]

No, the aperture EXIF cannot be fixed. The goggles cover the external exposure meter that is instrumental in guessing  the aperture value.

As for misaligned goggles, it is the responsibility of the seller to have it fixed.

Older Elmarits have a series filter system, you need the locking ring to mount them, Leica used to have a service to exchange the filter thread ring to a 55 mm one, but I very much doubt that it still exists.

[Adam]

1. I don´t know. What is not aligned? The windows in the camera are at the same position since the M3, I think (I have no M).

2. The aperture is not connected with the camera. Only the focal length is coded. Does the lens carry the 6 element code?

3. You could let modify the 7 drop in ring. I glued an empty filter in my Telyt. But do you need filters? A pola makes sense in case of reflections, but the rest you can forget. 

Jan

 

The lens does not have a 6 bit code, so I think I am stuck with remembering my aperture, too bad - I am not that organized

 

The round google over the focusing window, not not the square over the EFV,  is misaligned. When focusing over the EVF via live view, the OVF focus square does not align horizontally. It seems to be common that the alignment is knocked out. In my case I think it was because B&H shipped the lens in a box with minimum padding, very unprofessional. There are two screws that hold the round goggle and can be manipulated to calibrate the focusing mechanism. But is its a delicate operation to do it yourself.

 

As far as filters, I am one of those who prefers a protective filter. I have a series 7 ring, and B&H for some reason still carries 7 series filters. But I was hoping to use a Natural Density filter with the lens. Even found some info on the web how to convert it to a 55mm filter.

 

http://www.1839.org/hors/trucs/elmt55/index.html?lang=en

 

Will have to think about it.

 

Thanks!

 

Adam

[Adam]

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There was a previous thread here about the goggles on the 135mm Elmarit. Mine are both adjustable and removable but it emerged that others have lenses which differ from that. A search of the forum should find it.

 

Gerry

Yep I realized that now, the same link to how fix the alignment as I gave. Thanks!

[Adam]

No, the aperture EXIF cannot be fixed. The goggles cover the external exposure meter that is instrumental in guessing  the aperture value.

As for misaligned goggles, it is the responsibility of the seller to have it fixed.

Older Elmarits have a series filter system, you need the locking ring to mount them, Leica used to have a service to exchange the filter thread ring to a 55 mm one, but I very much doubt that it still exists.

Thanks!

 

I am thinking of contacting Leica maybe they can still convert to 55mm (I would like to use an ND filter), and see how much it costs to align the goggle. I am hesitant to send it back to B&H since they ship the lens with little padding - they will fix it and then it will misalign again in the mail.

 

I am tempted to fix the alignment myself, I was hoping someone would share their experience in doing it. 

 

The lens I got seem very good, almost like new. I like the way they render at 2.8 - not crisp like my 75 summicorn, but that is good, I was looking for a different non clinical character.  Still I think contrast and color is very good, to be honest a very underrated lens especially for the price. At f4 or 5.6 they are supposedly not different from the Elmar, which I can believe from the pics I took.

[bencoyote]

I bought one of those used (cheap!!!) as well and like you I found that the rangefinder focus was out. I was able to use it once in a case where I knew that focus was infinity and I can use live view. I took it to the Leica store in SF and they sent it off for calibration. Evidently this is a common problem because the goggles are prone to getting bent and the tolerances are very tight.

 

It  has been out for repairs for months. I told them not to worry and they quoted me about $600 which is about 3x the cost of lens. In the mean time I bought a new APO-Summicron-M ASPH. 90mm 

[NickR]

Since you live in Hoboken, couldn't you take the Path train over to B&H and talk to them in person?

[Adam]

Since you live in Hoboken, couldn't you take the Path train over to B&H and talk to them in person?

You'd think! I offered to bring them in for repairs and pick them up. Does not seem possible. You need to go through customer service via email, or call, etc.

 

The repair center is in Brooklyn, which is fine for me too, but there does not seem to be an option to pick them up in person after they are fixed.

 

Surprised me too. The did offer extra padding when the ship it after repairs. Crucially, B&H extends the warranty for another 90 after the repair, so it should be fine. But it is weird so close and yet have to use UPS.

[jankap]

The lens does not have a 6 bit code, so I think I am stuck with remembering my aperture, too bad - I am not that organized

Even found some info on the web how to convert it to a 55mm filter.

http://www.1839.org/hors/trucs/elmt55/index.html?lang=en

Adam

 

That link is very interesting. My proposal was more primitive, I have no lathe.

That could be the right way. "Could", because, as you like to use the lens at 2.8 via a neutral density filter, there is the risk of vignetting.

 

The 6 bit code only gives the focal length to the camera, not the aperture. There are threads on the 6 bit code here in the forum.

But perhaps you can write the data into the camera, as you change lenses.

 

I have the same problem with my camera! But as I use the tele-extender too, things are not solvable. 

Jan

[lct]

[...] As far as filters, I am one of those who prefers a protective filter. I have a series 7 ring, and B&H for some reason still carries 7 series filters. But I was hoping to use a Natural Density filter with the lens. Even found some info on the web how to convert it to a 55mm filter. [...]

Your 135/2.8 is a 11829 v2 with M54x0.75 filter thread i suspect so you must be using a 14161 retainer ring to fit series VII filters IINW. I prefer the 11829 v3 with M55x0.75 filter thread for this reason. Mine can use directly E55 filters with no problem at all. See specs attached hereunder for info. Now Series VII ND filters are available at Schneider (B+W) and elsewhere so i would check with B&H if they can fit your Elmarit if i were you.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/120754-REG/B_W_Series_7_102_Neutral.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/937147-REG/b_w_66_1070665_series_7_mc_110.html

 

LeicaM_13528_11829_specs.pdf

[jaapv]

I bought one of those used (cheap!!!) as well and like you I found that the rangefinder focus was out. I was able to use it once in a case where I knew that focus was infinity and I can use live view. I took it to the Leica store in SF and they sent it off for calibration. Evidently this is a common problem because the goggles are prone to getting bent and the tolerances are very tight.

 

It  has been out for repairs for months. I told them not to worry and they quoted me about $600 which is about 3x the cost of lens. In the mean time I bought a new APO-Summicron-M ASPH. 90mm

If you don't want to fiddle yourself,this is clearly a repair for an independent repairshop. It would probably save you 500$

[gyoung]

Complete clean and overhaul of mine by Malcolm Taylor with a rebuild of the damaged goggles (displaced optics) and adjustment to accurate focus cost a great deal less than the equivalent of 600 usd, less than half that. About 4 years ago I think.

 

Gerry

[Adam]

Your 135/2.8 is a 11829 v2 with M54x0.75 filter thread i suspect so you must be using a 14161 retainer ring to fit series VII filters IINW. I prefer the 11829 v3 with M55x0.75 filter thread for this reason. Mine can use directly E55 filters with no problem at all. See specs attached hereunder for info. Now Series VII ND filters are available at Schneider (B+W) and elsewhere so i would check with B&H if they can fit your Elmarit if i were you.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/120754-REG/B_W_Series_7_102_Neutral.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/937147-REG/b_w_66_1070665_series_7_mc_110.html

 

LeicaM_13528_11829_specs.pdf

 

Thank you for the links! This is very helpful.

 

I am not sure what you mean to check with B&H if they can fit my Elmarit?

 

I am waiting to hear from Leica how much would it cost to have the lens updated so that they take a regular filter, they need to check factory for parts. Yes I have retainer ring number VII that came with them. I assume the ring is to hold the filter in place and all I have to do is purchase a VII filter.

 

I did not know that the Elmarit had versions with a regular filter thread. I bought mine as an MI version, but the serial number starts 2621 which would be in the range of MII, but there are no numbers beginning with 2621 on the Wiki page. It is a bit odd. 

 

Thanks again!

[Adam]

Complete clean and overhaul of mine by Malcolm Taylor with a rebuild of the damaged goggles (displaced optics) and adjustment to accurate focus cost a great deal less than the equivalent of 600 usd, less than half that. About 4 years ago I think.

 

Gerry

Leica NJ quoted me $150 to fix the bug eye part of the goggles. But B&H will fix them under warranty, they are just not very good at packing them securely so it does not misalign in transport.

[Adam]

I bought one of those used (cheap!!!) as well and like you I found that the rangefinder focus was out. I was able to use it once in a case where I knew that focus was infinity and I can use live view. I took it to the Leica store in SF and they sent it off for calibration. Evidently this is a common problem because the goggles are prone to getting bent and the tolerances are very tight.

 

It  has been out for repairs for months. I told them not to worry and they quoted me about $600 which is about 3x the cost of lens. In the mean time I bought a new APO-Summicron-M ASPH. 90mm 

Leica NJ quoted me 150 for the google repair.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[lct]

[...] I am not sure what you mean to check with B&H if they can fit my Elmarit? [...]

 

 

Sorry for my poor english. I just meant than B&H sells series VII B+W ND filers and you might wish to ask them if such filters are compatible with your lens as is. The opposite would be surprising but i may be wrong.

[Adam]

Sorry for my poor english. I just meant than B&H sells series VII B+W ND filers and you might wish to ask them if such filters are compatible with your lens as is. The opposite would be surprising but i may be wrong.

 

Thank you for the advice.  I will ask.  I misunderstood your initial post because I am clueless about these kinds of filters.