Leica 24 Elmarit

[sbsatv]

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I've just picked up a new 24 Elmarit, but have some problems. Sometimes the focus ring is grinding and rough around the 1 meter mark when focusing.

 

Also I wondered how easy it was to turn the focus ring while holding onto the front of the lens, is it possible to damage the focus by turning the ring and not allowing the lens to extend? so that the focus scale and lens no longer align?

 

Any thoughts?

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[noah_addis]

I bought my 24 Elmarit used, but the focus is silky smooth, actually smoother than some of my more recent Leica lenses that I purchased new.

 

If you bought the lens new and it's grinding when you focus, I'd return it if possible or at least send it to Leica for repair.

 

Not sure what you mean by your question about holding on to the front of the lens. Leica lenses seem pretty tough but I wouldn't try to turn the focus ring while trying to keep the front from extending. Seems like a bad idea that could at the very least put extra strain on the focusing mechanism.

[jaapv]

It is hard to see how you could stop the lens from extending short of using a vise. And it would certainly damage the focussing mechanism.

[SJP]

is it possible to damage the focus by turning the ring and not allowing the lens to extend

If you use a big wrench yes, more likely you would damage the front lens if it is pushed against something. The focussing is via a helicoid, essentially a (very) large screwthread and that can in principle exert a very high force if you turn the focus ring enthusiastically enough. I guess the focussing ring is coupled to the helicoid with some clamping screws so that could get misaligned. Just turn the lens to infinity loosen the screws of the focus ring and readjust the alignment with the stripe on the barrel to infinite.

 

The lens position is coupled to the rangefinder via another helicoid, and I dont think that can be changed by (medium) brute force. So the rangefinder coupling should still be OK regardless of what the lens barrel indicates.

 

Maybe others have experience with this? The above adjustment is educated guesswork.

[Chuck Albertson]

If it's a new lens and the focusing ring is that stiff, it's kind of dumb to start fiddling with the screws or to make other "adjustments." Just return it and get the problem fixed while it's under warranty.