135mm does not focus on M6

I have a 135mm tele-elmar f4 that does not focus. My other lenses focus on the M6 and I tried the lens on another M6. What is the problem? Is it repairable?

Follow up: I was looking into the rear of the lens and there was a 'mechanism." I gently pushed on it and it slid down. I returned the lens to the camera and it focused. Anyone know what this mechanism is?

Your focus ring should

1. Move the lens head
   
2. Move a rod, pressing your RF wheel
   

IDK when why & how those lenses fall apart, mine is still fine.

Should that rod be lubricated? Nikonos grease? Or, anything else?

Sounds like a real repairman job.

 

I sent my 135 f3.4 Telyt-M and M body to DAG to have the cam on the lens adjusted to work as accurately as possible with my M’s rangefinder. He told me 135’s, even working in-spec, can be an iffy proposition due to the long focal length, which is why Leica for cameras like the M9 with .68 finders recommend shooting 135’s no faster than f5.6 and the .72 finders on M6’s and most other M models are not all that much more accurate.

 

If the lens has any mechanical issues the chances it’ll work at all are....well, you now see. My 135 Telyt-M is equally as accurate (pretty darn good) these days on my M4 as it is on the digital M262 but it’s also the most easily focussed incorrectly lens on an M body, especially at longer distances.

 

For film and 135mm or longer, nothing works better than a 80-200mm f4 Nikkor on the F2AS.

Edited April 1, 2021 by Greg M

My 135mm f/4 Tele-Elmar focuses correctly on my M6 and M10 -- but yeah, it is touchy. Some people say a more accurate 135mm lens is the old f/2.8 model with goggles that magnify the 90mm frame to show a 135mm field of view. I had one but traded it for the much smaller Tele-Elmar.

 

Note that if you send the lens to Don Goldberg (DAG) for service, he is excellent but is currently backlogged. I've been waiting more than four months for him to recalibrate focus on my 50mm Summicron. The other two renowned Leica repair people declined the job. Sherry Krauter said she's too busy with cameras to bother with lenses, and Youxin Yee doubted if he could recalibrate the focus. But you can check with them anyway to see if their circumstances have changed. I didn't ask Leica USA because I don't think they service very old lenses. (My 50mm was made in 1969.) I've searched in vain for other trusted Leica repair shops in the USA.

135mm f3.4 APO Telyt-M on the M4 the past couple of weeks, shot with Portra 160.

 

 

 

 

 

I'll agree it is a very good lens for its time and critical focusing can be tough. When my eyes were much sharper it wasn't an issue. These days using it on a Visoflex or (blasphemy) mirrorless body gives a much better keeper ratio.

Some people say a more accurate 135mm lens is the old f/2.8 model with goggles that magnify the 90mm frame to show a 135mm field of view. I had one

I had one two and found critical focusing to still be a major issue.