Question for ZM 35 2.0 users

[Skydog]

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Hi everybody

I’ve been using the ZM 35 f 2.0 for a couple of weeks now and I am really impressed by the optical quality of the lens. The only thing I find a bit annoying is the fact that it has such a large protruding rear element that sits right under the rangefinder arm… that makes changing lenses to bit of a nerve-racking endeavor.

I don’t have particularly shaky hands but brushing or touching the roller cam’s bottom side does happen occasionally…  How do other ZM users deal with this? Am I overthinking things and can the mechanism handle this kind of “abuse”? Or is this the final sign that I should go and get the Summicron?

Thanks for the input!

[250swb]

Touching the bottom of the roller cam is not 'abuse' and won't do any damage. I mean, try not to jiggle the lens around before deciding to engage it but given you've identified a 'problem' and therefore clearly have some mechanical sympathy I expect with practice you'll start to line it up properly first time anyway. For example Leica's instructions for people to extend a collapsible Elmar before fitting it is to accommodate complete idiots with no mechanical sympathy at all and who wouldn't think twice about pushing the back end against the cam arm. 

[Skydog]

I do try to be as careful as possible... and it rarely happens that the lens and cam make contact... but when it does, I do not want to lose sleep over it, worrying that I bent or damaged something. Thanks!

 

On a completely unrelated note, every time I read your location on the forum I remember how much I want to go back to the Peak District. Miss it a lot! Touch some gritstone for me!   

Edited February 20, 2024 by Skydog

[250swb]

1 hour ago, Skydog said:

I do try to be as careful as possible... and it rarely happens that the lens and cam make contact... but when it does, I do not want to lose sleep over it, worrying that I bent or damaged something. Thanks!

 

On a completely unrelated note, every time I read your location on the forum I remember how much I want to go back to the Peak District. Miss it a lot! Touch some gritstone for me!   

Are you a climber? The Dark Peak gritstone attracts lots of climbers and I mixed with them while at college in Sheffield. But I’m now in the limestone White Peak although gritstone is only 20 minutes away.

[Skydog]

Yes indeed. Have done quite a bit of gritstone bouldering and trad climbing (Stanage, Burbage, the Roaches,...). I haven't done a ton of limestone climbing in the Peak yet... The UK's an amazing place for climbing in general! But the Peak is something special because gritstone is so unique... oh, fond memories! 

[adan]

2 hours ago, Skydog said:

The only thing I find a bit annoying is the fact that it has such a large protruding rear element that sits right under the rangefinder arm… that makes changing lenses to bit of a nerve-racking endeavor.

Keep in mind that Leitz/Leica themselves made and sold lenses like the 21mm Super-Angulons and 28mm Elmarit v.1, with large protruding rear elements that practically touched the shutter.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/21mm-f4.htm

Leica was obviously not worried about such designs damaging the RF roller.

The only reason they abandoned them (1970s) was that they did not play nicely with TTL light-metering of any kind in an M (although off-the-sensor metering has now finally made even that possible).

[dpitt]

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13 hours ago, Skydog said:

 

Hi everybody

I’ve been using the ZM 35 f 2.0 for a couple of weeks now and I am really impressed by the optical quality of the lens. The only thing I find a bit annoying is the fact that it has such a large protruding rear element that sits right under the rangefinder arm… that makes changing lenses to bit of a nerve-racking endeavor.

I don’t have particularly shaky hands but brushing or touching the roller cam’s bottom side does happen occasionally…  How do other ZM users deal with this? Am I overthinking things and can the mechanism handle this kind of “abuse”? Or is this the final sign that I should go and get the Summicron?

Thanks for the input!

In general, I do not like changing lenses in the open. I try to always do it indoors and sitting a a table. When possible I go drink a coffee and switch lenses there.

The M sensors are not protected against dust when you remove the lens,. I once had half a holiday shoot ruined because a large dust particle entered the body when I changed lenses in a windy environment. Even when I tried to keep my back to the wind and my coat as protection, I found later on that it happened on that day. When I got back home,  I had a lot of work trying to save the images.

When I change lenses now, the body is slightly tilted downwards and when the lens is  removed,  I turn the body upside down. Dust generally falls down when there is no circulation,  so that helps a lot keeping the sensor clean. When you change lenses sitting down like this, and take your time I do not think mounting your lens is an issue. I have collapsible lenses that brush the cam roller when extruded/extracted with the lens mounted, and I never needed to have it adjusted in the 14 years that I am using them on my digital Ms.

11 hours ago, adan said:

Keep in mind that Leitz/Leica themselves made and sold lenses like the 21mm Super-Angulons and 28mm Elmarit v.1, with large protruding rear elements that practically touched the shutter.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/leica/21mm-f4.htm

Leica was obviously not worried about such designs damaging the RF roller.

The only reason they abandoned them (1970s) was that they did not play nicely with TTL light-metering of any kind in an M (although off-the-sensor metering has now finally made even that possible).

The Super Angulon 21 is a special case and is one of these lenses Leica always puts on the "incompatible" lenses with warnings it can damage your camera. I have mounted it occasionally without harm, but Leica is clearly worried now that it will damage the digital M bodies.
In general they are over cautious probably to prevent warranty claims caused by inexperienced and clumsy mount or dismount operations.

I have been using collapsible lenses on the list without harm for years. I even accidentally removed them in collapsed position a few times without harm.

[TomB_tx]

5 hours ago, dpitt said:

In general, I do not like changing lenses in the open. I try to always do it indoors and sitting a a table. When possible I go drink a coffee and switch lenses there.

The M sensors are not protected against dust when you remove the lens,. I once had half a holiday shoot ruined because a large dust particle entered the body when I changed lenses in a windy environment.

Agreed. In fact I've found I enjoy photography more if I just choose a lens at home and find pictures that fit that lens, rather than carrying a kit and dithering about lenses.

[Skydog]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb TomB_tx:

Agreed. In fact I've found I enjoy photography more if I just choose a lens at home and find pictures that fit that lens, rather than carrying a kit and dithering about lenses.

I do not carry a lot of things either... I usually decide what I want to do and go with one film stock and one lens for the day/weekend/trip. Simply because I find changing lenses annoying and it's easier for me to think in one focal length at a time... if you know what I mean. But I still use it as an interchangeable lens system every now and then...

 

vor 8 Stunden schrieb dpitt:

I have collapsible lenses that brush the cam roller when extruded/extracted with the lens mounted, and I never needed to have it adjusted in the 14 years that I am using them on my digital Ms.

It's very comforting to hear that the mechanism is not as fragile as it looks.... I have always thought of the roller cam / rangefinder arm as a no-go area and it has never been an issue since most of the things I've shot so far were slow/compact designs. 

Thanks