New Leica M2 Owner Slightly Confused

[FiZZ]

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Hello everyone. I'm really new here, so I apologize if I posted this in the wrong forum. I got myself a Leica M2 from '62 (checked the serial number) with an MR4 and a Nippon Kogaku 5cm 1:2 H-C lens.

 

Everything is in great shape, the camera just has a few scratch marks from years of use, but whats really confusing me is the lens. The lens focuses accurately, except the rangefinder window in the viewfinder that tells me whats in focus doesn't move when I hit the 3.4 ft mark. So from 1.5 to 3.4 ft, I have no confirmation if the image is in focus. I fiddled around, and opened the pressure plate, set the camera at B and checked the focus mechanism, and I found that the pivot arm hits the back of the lens mount and doesn't move forward when the camera is focused at 3.4 ft.

 

I found that rather strange for an LTM lens... Anyone heard of anything similar? I've been trying to find an answer but no luck so far.

 

Also, anyone recommends a way to clean the haze of an internal element of the lens?

 

Thanks!

[aesop]

...welcome to the forum, FiZZ, and congratulations on your acquisition. What is the minimum focusing distance of the lens in question?

[wizard]

If the minimum focusing distance of your lens is less than 1m, it will not couple to the camera's rangefinder mechanism below 1m. Later Leica M cameras couple down to 70cm, but that's it.

 

Andy

[aesop]

...my cursory research reveals that the minimum focusing distance for the Nippon Kogaku 5cm 1:2 H-C lens is given as 3ft. I make that ~91cm, which is outside the scope of the M2's focusing range (≥100cm - ∞). Hope this helps.

[FiZZ]

...my cursory research reveals that the minimum focusing distance for the Nippon Kogaku 5cm 1:2 H-C lens is given as 3ft. I make that ~91cm, which is outside the scope of the M2's focusing range (≥100cm - ∞). Hope this helps.

 

Thanks aesop. Tremendous help. On my lens it says 1.5 ft. But it makes sense now.

 

Cheers!

[brianv]

The minimum focus of the Collapsible Nikkor 5cm F2 is 3ft, the Rigid version goes to 1.5ft. The collapsible was discontinued in 1949 or so, most are Rigid.

 

The problem is the Threads of the mount block the RF follower of the Leica body from maintaining coupling with the RF cam of the lens.

 

You can cut a portion of the threads away to achieve focus to 0.7m. Might be best to have a repair shop do this.

 

Cleaning the internal haze: the front block comes out as a fixed piece. Use a rubber gromet or rubber cork to unscrew it. You then have access to the surfaces on each side of the aperture mechanism. That is most likely where the haze occurs. It is the only inner surface that can be easily reached.

[christianpsu]

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...my cursory research reveals that the minimum focusing distance for the Nippon Kogaku 5cm 1:2 H-C lens is given as 3ft. I make that ~91cm, which is outside the scope of the M2's focusing range (≥100cm - ∞). Hope this helps.

 

I have two M2s, one in 1mn serial number range and one in 1.1mn serial number range. I have a 35mm summaron and i tried focusing <1m for both. the earlier one can't focus <1m and the 1.1mn serial number can focus in all range from 0.7m~infinity. I was wondering if this is normal for the earlier produced M2 not to focus <1m? Thank you.

[jc_braconi]

I have two M2s, one in 1mn serial number range and one in 1.1mn serial number range. I have a 35mm summaron and i tried focusing <1m for both. the earlier one can't focus <1m and the 1.1mn serial number can focus in all range from 0.7m~infinity. I was wondering if this is normal for the earlier produced M2 not to focus <1m? Thank you.

Can be as the first 35 Summicron & Summaron do not go under 1 meter and yours M2's are certainly different as the first issues has less possibilities than the last ones