Hi--

A quick (possibly dumb) question from a Leica newbie:

I'm evaluating a secondhand M6 classic that I just received. The lens I bought is still in transit, but I managed to borrow an older-looking 28/2.8 Elmarit (s/n 2061957, if that helps determine its vintage) from the photography department at the local university for a few days. I've run a couple rolls through it, and the meter, RF, and shutter all seem to be working good. BUT...with the 28 on the camera, the 35mm brightline finder stays in place. I can see the 28mm finder by flipping the preview lever, but I thought it was suppposed to automatically pop up when I put the lens on. Or is that not the case? Anyway, I'd be very interested in knowing if this camera's defective before my evaluation period is up. Thanks for your help!

-- Mark Schiefelbein (mark_schief@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002

Answers

Hi Mark

Yes, it's suppposed to...

-- Gregory Goh (GregoryGoh@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.

Hi--

Would it be a problem with the camera then, or the lens? Or (groan) maybe either one?

-- Mark Schiefelbein (mark_schief@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.

Mark, This has to do with the vintage of this old lens...I tried one myself since it looked like a good deal. If you want to use on a M6 it's no use because the meter won't work (I think the rear lens protudes too much) Anyway I checked sveral Leica books (Günther Osterloh)and this lens batch is considerd incompatible with the M6 line.So be careful when buying used wideangles.

-- eric ubben (eric.ubben@hogent.be), April 19, 2002.

Hi again

Can't really tell - I would say the camera, but have also heard of Tri-Elmar owners having problems with framelines, in their case I think it's the lens. One way to find out is to test with another 28mm lens, so I guess a dealer or a friend who happens to have one?

-- Gregory Goh (GregoryGoh@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.

At the time that lens was made, there was no Leica with a 28mm frameline, so they couldn't have known what frame to trigger. It's the lens.

-- Michael Darnton (mdarnton@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.

There is no problem and it is perfectly normal. The 28mm frameline did not "appear" until the M4-P. Before that Leica had the lens bring up the frameline set that would be the least intrusive. First this was the 50mm framelines as that was what was the least intrusive in the M3. Later it was changed to the 35mm framelines to better suit the M4 and up cameras.

This lens has a deep rear element which will have some shadowing effect on the metering spot. This will be most noticable at infinity and probably not even an issue when the lens is focused close.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@shaw.ca), April 19, 2002.