Leica 90mm F/2.8 Elmarit M 11807 6-bit

[bherman01545]

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Hello;

I recently picked up a Leica 90mm F/2.8 Elmarit M 6-bit #11807 in near perfect condition. Upon arrival yesterday, (the lens came off of a cold delivery truck 0 I live in the Northeast US) I noticed that the focusing was a tad stiff, with the slight amount of scraping near the infinity end. The aperture is 'clicky', but I don't feel the same level of resistance as my other M lenses.

The scraping is gone today, but how do I know if I should send it in for a CLA?

DAG quoted me (+/-) $165.00 for a CLA, which sounds fair.

Should I send it in?

Thanks!

-Brad

[wda]

What does the vendor have to say on the faults you have discovered ?

[bherman01545]

They said that they really couldn't say until they check out the lens. Many would say that it is fine, but for $165.00, it might just be worth it for DAG to check it out.

Thanks

-Brad

[wda]

Surely the vendor would know if the lens showed the faults you described. Temperature might have been a cause. Often these focal lengths lie unused for very long periods. Exercising the focusing mechanism repeatedly  can ease the operation. I would guess that is the problem. If you live in a cold region, then a CLA would make sense. As would regreasing for your climate.

[bherman01545]

Great advice. Thanks

[JK Cameras (London) Ltd]

Hi Brad,

The 90mm f2.8 Elmarit-M extends and contracts significantly more than most Leica lenses when rotating the focussing ring.  As a result it tends to move a lot of air through the lens and has a tendency to whoosh audibly past the rear lens cap.  Could it be that this is what you heard rather than scraping sound perhaps? Having probably then fitted the lens to a body removing the cap then resulted in the disappearance of the sound?  If you refit the rear cap and give it a try you should see, or hear rather, what I mean.

Some examples of this lens also tend to exhibit a bit of stiffness with the focussing which a re-lube by a technician will cure nicely.

 

Kind Regards,

Mark

[bherman01545]

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16 minutes ago, JK Cameras (London) Ltd said:

Hi Brad,

The 90mm f2.8 Elmarit-M extends and contracts significantly more than most Leica lenses when rotating the focussing ring.  As a result it tends to move a lot of air through the lens and has a tendency to whoosh audibly past the rear lens cap.  Could it be that this is what you heard rather than scraping sound perhaps? Having probably then fitted the lens to a body removing the cap then resulted in the disappearance of the sound?  If you refit the rear cap and give it a try you should see, or hear rather, what I mean.

Some examples of this lens also tend to exhibit a bit of stiffness with the focussing which a re-lube by a technician will cure nicely.

 

Kind Regards,

Mark

Thanks so much for the thoughtful response Mark! Yes, I am familiar with the ingress and egress of air when focusing this lens, and don’t have think that is what I’m hearing. I don’t think that this lens was used much at all, so @$165.00 for a CLA,  that it is money well-spent to have a qualified technician look it  over.

-Brad

[Dennis]

1 hour ago, JK Cameras (London) Ltd said:

The 90mm f2.8 Elmarit-M extends and contracts significantly more than most Leica lenses when rotating the focussing ring.  As a result it tends to move a lot of air through the lens and has a tendency to whoosh audibly past the rear lens cap.

+1

Mine does it, but it doesn't affect the correct lens functioning. The rear lens cap off, and voila, disappeared.

2 hours ago, bherman01545 said:

I noticed that the focusing was a tad stiff,

My copy as well, and I'm happy about it. Contrary to my 35 Summicron Asph, which is very loose (but perfect for fast focusing), the 90 Elmarit-M is stiff, and for me, it makes sense. To focus w/ a 90 is more critical, and precision is needed. I would say save the CLA money, everything is fine.

[Jeff S]

Send it to DAG, exactly what a reputable dealer like Leica Miami would have done before selling.  You’ll get everything checked and refreshed as warranted from an honest and knowledgeable technician, and get a warranty. 

Jeff