M8 and 135 Tele-Elmar

[federico_prieto]

<p>Recently I bought a 135 Tele-Elmar in Keh. The lens arrived in outstanding condition and in minutes I went to my Leica local expert to test it in the collimator. The infinite was 100% OK. When I made the first photos with M8 all of the pics -in different apertures and distances- were out of focus... Then I rechecked the lens in the collimator and the lens confirmed that it has not infinite problem. I went to Google and I found some people with similar problems between Tele-Elmar and M8 and M9...I read about some diferentes solutions and I selected the more easy for me: to rotate the removable head a complete turn (360º loose)...I rotated many timen until I found a complete turn was the way (in my case)</p>

<p>The pic was taked after that.... OK....it has some postproducction.....</p>

<p>Now I need to learn how to fix the head in this position (a 360º turn)....sorry for my complicated english... the rose was at 1.7 meters from the lens and this is a crop of the picture...may be a 25%... Tripod ISO 160 and f8 or 5,6 and 4 seconds</p>

<p>....and yes.... for near 430$ the Tele-Elmar is the bargain of the century...</p><div></div>

[SCL]

<p>You could put a washer ring of the proper thickness between the lens head and the focusing mount. The Tele-Elmar is truly a terrific lens.</p>

[federico_prieto]

<p>Hi Stephen.... I did not take the meassure yet, but I believe it is very thin...may be 1 millimeter...Do you believe I could find a washer ring of that thick? Can I made that? How?<br>

thanks</p>

 

[john_shriver]

<p>In the US, what you need is "shim brass". Very thin brass sheet that comes in rolls, that you buy a a hardware store. No idea what the right name is in your country.</p>

[federico_prieto]

<p>Oh... that`s perfect for me John... I will travel to the States in 3 weeks and I can buy that... Any other tip, specification?...meassure? or just I need to buy the shim brass ?</p>

[Alex_Es]

<p>I take it this is the older version. I have the newer version and have not had this problem. I think, Federico, that while your solution is a good one it is not really stable. A good repair person can fix your lens so that is works properly with your M8.</p>

[SCL]

<p>Federico, the shim brass sheets are also sold in hobby stores. And I agree with Alex that is a better solution, my suggestion was basically a stop-gap measure until you could get a more permanent fix.</p>

[Rob F.]

<p>Some Tele-Elmars--I believe the early ones--were made with the barrel a little too short. Shims have been used to correct this. I don't know about buying a sheet of brass, because then you have to cut a washer out of it. I think a tech like Sherry Krauter or Don Goldberg will already have the necessary part. John Van Stelten in Colorado is another resource.</p>

[federico_prieto]

<p>OK I knew there are a lot of differences thicks in sheet brass... so I will take a meassure -with a vernier- of the long of the lens, and another after the rotation. In that way I will know what is the difference for to buy the sheet brass with a +/- correct thick....<br>

Any idea where to put the washer ring?<br>

thanks</p>

<p>Federico</p>

[john_shriver]

<p>Just buy a six inch length of each of the thicknesses of shim brass. There are in thousandths of an inch. You will need some creative tool work to cut the circular washers, but sharp curved scissors should do.</p>

[Alex_Es]

<p>Federico, do yourself a favor and send it out for repair.</p>