I was recently given an old 135mm f4 Tele-Elemar Ser#245****. I am trying to use it on a M5. Unfortunately I cannot focus with it. The internal barrel that usually couples with the range finder is shorter than the external body of the lens. When I turn the lens I can see the internal barrel move but it is deeply recessed in the lens and cannot contact the range finder. There is one triangular piece that is bolted to the inside of the lens body which does contact the range finder but it is in a fixed position. The lens doesn't look like it has been modified. I hope my descriptions make sense.

I took it to three stores in my area and I was told three different things. They were all just guessing. I was laughed at in one place where they said it will cost me a fortune to send it to Leica where they will need to modify it for my M version. It's supposed to be funny that I have to spend a lot of money because I want to use Leica equipment. Hmmph. Anyway...

Thank-you all in advance for any help that you may be able to give. And if I don't get any responses that's OK too--at least I won't get laughed at here for wanting to use Leica equipment.

And I would like to take this chance to thank everyone that has posted and responded on this forum in the past. I have learned a lot by reading other peoples questions and responses.

Will

-- Will (mymind2yourmind@hotmail.com), April 24, 2001

Answers

Just inside the rear mount on one side the Tele-Elmar has a small square plate about 1.5cm X 1.5cm and about 3mm thick, from which a sort-of-trapezoidal tab protrudes toward the camera body. This piece is pushed by the actual helix cam which is deep within the mount, and in turn moves in and out and operates the rangefinder. The trapezoidal tab is spring-loaded against the helix cam. If anything is missing or stuck, or the spring is bad, or the tab has been bent out of alignment, the lens can't couple to the rangefinder. First check to see if it's all there, then with the lens in your hand check that the tab moves in and out as the focus ring is turned. Last, mount the lens on the camera, lock the shutter open on "B" with a cable release, look from the back while focusing the lens to see if the tab makes contact with the rangefinder follower wheel at the top of the lensmount. In any case the repair should not be terribly expensive. Someone like DAG or Sherry Krauter should be able to handle it with ease.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 24, 2001.

It is hard to say for sure what the problem is from your description. It is not expensive to have an experienced Leica technician look at the lens. The "triangular piece" is the part that should move in and out as you focus the lens. Why it is not I cannot say without more information. Where are you located and we can recommend a technician for you to send it to? The Tele-Elmar is not an expensive lens so only pursue this if the glass is good and you paid a reasonable price for the lens.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), April 24, 2001.

Thanks Jay and John,

After reading your very clear and helpful description I took a look at my lens again. I gave the trapezoidal tab a firm nudge and it budged. Before your description I thought it was one solid piece that didn't move. It doesn't spring back and I think it's because the lubricant has completely dried up so the tab is not moving as it should. Everything else looks to be in order. I hope that a good lube/adjustment will make it as right as rain. Anyone know a good technician in Vancouver BC?

The lens was given to me by a relative who found it in a safe and unused for probably twenty years. The lens looks like it just came out of the box.

Now that I know what to do I am as happy as a pig in mud. Thanks for your help.

Will

-- Will (mymind2yourmind@hotmail.com), April 24, 2001.

Send it to:

Kindermann (Canada) Inc. Attn.: Gerry Smith Service Department 361 Steelcase Road West, Unit #3 Markham, ON L3R 3V8

Tel: (905) 940-9262 or (905) 479-0167 Fax: (905) 479-9755 e-mail: kindrman@istar.ca info@kindermann.com

He is VERY VERY good. I would not send it anywhere else. They have all the factory tools, jigs and parts. I have had a great deal of work done there and I have always been very pleased. I had a 135/4.5 Hektor overhauled and colimnated and it works beautifully. If it needs just a CLA except a bill of about $80CAN to $120CAN. If it needs colimnation, it might run up to $250CAN. It probably just needs a good cleaning.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@home.com), April 24, 2001.

Thanks John. I will definitely give them a try.

Will

-- Will (mymind2yourmind@hotmail.com), April 25, 2001.