Leitz 135mm Elmarit-R lens hood slips

[kmcsmart]

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I just bought my first Leica R lens and I have a question about the built in lens hood.  It seems like there is no way to lock the lens hood in the extended position.  If I extend the hood and then stand the lens on the table the lens hood will slowly slide back down the lens?  Is this normal?  Is there any way to lock it in the extended position?

I bought the lens with the Leitax PK adapter but I have all the parts to return it to its original mount so I can use it on my SL with and R to L adapter.  Can't wait to give the lens a go.

Karen

 

[Bobitybob]

Welcome to the forum.

Lenses with extending built in hoods most often have a felt like material to give enough friction to hold the hood in place.  Over time this wears and the hood becomes loose.  I've got a few with loose hoods from Leica and Canon so it's a universal problem.  I'm sure you can get it repaired/replaced but I normally just put an elastic band around the barrel and when I extend the hood move this down to stop the hood sliding back in.

Edited January 10, 2022 by Bobitybob

[a.noctilux]

Yes, it's normal as when aging a bit the felt inside can not offer resistance to hold the hood anymore.

The elastic band is good idea, or adhesive band to offer more resistance.

On my old lenses with sliding hood, some can be unscrewed at front ring to take out the hood, then add another felt or just rub the felt

to raise the fibers.

[kmcsmart]

Thanks for the info.  I was able to get the hood off the lens but I didn’t have any luck getting the hood apart to replace the felt.  I have rubber gloves and the proper rubber tools to take a ring off the front of the hood but no amount of wetting the threads with solvent would help it budge.  In the end I stuffed a small slip of paper under the felt and that stiffened it up just fine.  I will leave it like that for now.

I have another newbie question about the helicoid.  The focus ring turns smoothly enough when I wrap my hand around it but when I try to turn the focus ring with just two fingers while the camera’s up to my eye the ring feels sticky and doesn’t operate smoothly.  I assume the ring should be buttery smooth like my Takumar lenses are.  I guess the helicoid needs a cleaning.  Can someone just confirm that the ring should be buttery smooth to operate.

Thanks Karen

 

[a.noctilux]

Hello Karen,

Leica R/M lenses feeling was "tighter" focus than Nikkor or Takumar lenses I use.

I never try to focus Leitz/Leica with two fingers (err...yes on Apo-Telyt-R 2.8/280 which has large ring holding with grip 14282,

or other sliding focus with Telyt-R/V 6.8/400/560).

 

Maybe if it's not at your taste, you can give a technician for replacing the lub and replacing the hood's felt.

[kmcsmart]

Ok, go it.  I will change my grip and give it a go.  That may be all I need to do.  
The IQ is great and I don’t mind the weight so I’m keen to put the lens to work.