Elmar 3.5cm LTM Focusing Issue

[plaidshirts]

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Hello everyone. 

I have an Elmar 35mm f3.5 LTM adapted to my M2.
I noticed that the focus patch stops moving when I try to focus between 3.5’ (supposed minimum focus distance and 6’.
Anything farther than 6’ to infinity seems fine and accurate. 
This behavior is consistent across all m bodies that I’ve tried - M2, M6 and M-D 262. 

Curious why this was so, I attached the lens to a digital camera and found that the lens DOES focus closer - the focus patch simply does not reflect this. 

Has anyone had a similar experience with adapted LTM lenses?

[lct]

My Elmar 35/3.5 from 1948 focuses normally on my M8.2 and M240 but i have no experience with it on film. I use a Rayqual adapter BTW. Hope this helps.

[david strachan]

Hello Dan

I've had exactly the same problem with several ltm to M adapters on exact same lens.

It has to do with cut outs in the adapter and stopping the focus lever.  Try a couple of different adapters, even if they are for different focal lengths, to see it it fixes the problem then buy the same style cut outs in a new adapter.

 

Good luck.

[plaidshirts]

Thank you all for your responses. @lct mine is a 1938. @david strachan I tried it with a 50/75 adapter with the same outcome.

I think I found the culprit though.

The brass ring at the back of the lens that controls the in-camera focusing arm recedes into the flange at little over 5 feet but continues on as the focus ring is turned.

This explains why it focused closer on my Fuji digital camera but stopped the focus patch from moving on my M bodies.

I've added a couple of pics to show this.

Looking at my other 6 Leica lenses, none of them do this at minimum focus - there's always some brass that remains.

What's curious is that all other increments (measured with a tape rule) beyond that, up to infinity (eye test), are spot on.

I think I'll keep it since it's in such nice condition, but will have to remember that at 3.5' the rf patches won't align even though the subject is in focus.

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[oldwino]

You may want to contact Youxin to see if he can fix this. Or DAG. Youxin will be quicker.

[plaidshirts]

UPDATE:

I bought a Voigtlander adapter on a faint chance that it might work and it DID! (I thought I was throwing a Hail Mary but at least I got it for a reasonable price)

Not only does the focus patch move the entire range, the lens is properly centered on the camera. (The infinity lock is at the correct 7 o’clock position now instead of 6)

I’ve heard numerous times that cheap adapters work just as well as the name brands but mine proved to be the exception. 

[knuteoen]

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Thanks a lot. I looked all over the internet about this until I found this thread. It seems that I have the same issue with an Elmar f 3,5 3,5 cm 1935 on my M9 and Monochrom 246. Focus patch stops moving at about 1,7 m, even through  Visoflex, but the lens does focus closer all the way to 1 m . Infinity at 6 o´clock not 7.  Also tried different adapters. Bought a Voiglander adapter that I will receive in a couple of weeks. Hope that will fix it.

[plaidshirts]

4 hours ago, knuteoen said:

Thanks a lot. I looked all over the internet about this until I found this thread. It seems that I have the same issue with an Elmar f 3,5 3,5 cm 1935 on my M9 and Monochrom 246. Focus patch stops moving at about 1,7 m, even through  Visoflex, but the lens does focus closer all the way to 1 m . Infinity at 6 o´clock not 7.  Also tried different adapters. Bought a Voiglander adapter that I will receive in a couple of weeks. Hope that will fix it.

Wow it sounds exactly like what I went through. I hope everything works out.

[frame-it]

gorgeous lens by the way

[plaidshirts]

47 minutes ago, frame-it said:

gorgeous lens by the way

Thanks! Here it is mounted on my M2

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[frame-it]

on the SL2-S

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[knuteoen]

On 3/26/2021 at 4:14 AM, plaidshirts said:

Wow it sounds exactly like what I went through. I hope everything works out.

Just got my Voiglander adapter LTM to L39 and it works perfectly with my Elmar 3.5 cm f/3.5 1935 and M9! Infinity is now at 7 o´clock as well! Perfect thanks a lot