Hi all, Following some good words in previos posts, I got an old tele-elmar 135 (sn2206xxx, I believe it is an old piece. well worn out, but clean glass got it for 400 usd at Ken Hanson). I am very happy with the results, I might not use it as much as my 35 lux asph, or the 75 lux, but I really didn't expect such great quality from such an old lense. BUT... at infinity the lense is perfect, however in shorter distances it seems to "hit" behind the objects I am focusing on. I wasn't sure first, since I am working with 0.72 body, not ideal for the lense. but it is nearly always there, just a little behind what I was focusing at. I can return the lense, I have two weeks for that, but the other they have are much clearner and double price. Does that sound like a calibration matter? or is it just the difficulty of focusing with the 0.72? and what to do about it? thanks.

-- rami (rg272@columbia.edu), February 13, 2002

Answers

Dear Rami, You should be able to focus it correctly with the 0.72 viewfinder. Problem could be due to (a) your camera could be very slightly out of alignment, so that you don't notice the focus problem with shorter lenses; (b) as you suggested the lens collimation could be out; (c) leica lenses and bodies are adjusted to very high tolerances, but sometimes these tolerances all add together in a negative way, and although both the body & the lens are within factory tolerances they don't match together very well. You will have to do tests to determine what the problem is (it is not the 0.72 finder). US$400 sound a bit on the steep side for the condition . If it is well worn, the focus ring becomes a bit wobbly and becomes very unpleasant to use and I understand it is difficult to remedy. Good luck !

-- sait (akkirman@clear.net.nz), February 13, 2002.

The v.1 Tele-Elmar does not have the typical tapered rangefinder cam at the rear mount that travels circumferentially as the lens is focused. Rather, the cam is recessed up in the mount and pushes a bar that in turn pushes the rangefinder wheel in the body. The bar is held against the inside of the lens barrel by a bracket, and there is a helper spring inside. If that mechanism is fouled by dirt or damage, the focusing can become erratic. That is but one more possibility.

First thing, go outside or to a clear window (open it if you can!) where you can see a sharp, vertical object (like a radio tower)at least one mile away. Set the lens to infinity and check that the images coincide perfectly. Check with another lens as well. If both are "off", suspect the camera is slightly out of alignment. If just the 135 is "off", suspect the lens' collimation. If neither is "off", then suspect the cam-transfer mechanism. $400 is high for a beat-up 135/4. "Double the price" for cleaner samples is outrageous.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), February 13, 2002.

thanks. let me clarify, the lense is not in a bad condition at all. it doesn't look new. It is very clean both inside and outside, just that you can see that someone focused with it many years (it lost some of the black colour on the focus ring). I guess that what makes it, for me, much easier to focus than with my stiff 75 lux. but it should be easy to focus RIGHT, and there is my problem. btw, what is a good price for the lense, then? (I figure the optics of the lense never changed?) all the grate prices that are always mentioned in posts here seem to be different from what I see at NY.

-- rami (rg272@columbia.edu), February 13, 2002.

thanks for your answers. I compared my two bodies at infinity, and I suspect the one I have been using doesn't get the image quire as tight as the other at infinity, but it is really hard to determine, it gets it nearly right. on the other body it is easy to tell that it is right. I have made some experiments with the other body and the 135, and I will see the results later. if it is a body alignement, is that a reason to send to Leica (that body is under passport) or is there a faster solution? thanks again.

-- rami (rg272@columbia.edu), February 13, 2002.

Hello Rami. Your Tele Elmar 135mm. has a lens head which unscrews from the focusing mount.Normally on these lenses if unscrewed,on observation the inside of the lens mount will contain a number corresponding with the lens number.This will at least confirm that both sections are factory compatible and "should" be correctly calibrated for focussing.

In any case,even a quarter turn too far in on the lens head before it finally seats against the mount, will affect your close up focussing as you have indicated.I think this is what is causing your problem. Regards.

-- Sheridan Zantis (albada60@hotmail.com), February 14, 2002.