Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

jmcaine
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

I was told that somebody here might be able to help me. I am brand new to Fred Miranda, though; thank you in advance for your willingness to consider this.

This is my problem: I have a Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 that simply came apart on me! While focusing away from infinity, the front end of the lens just continues "out", rather than stopping, and separates from the rear end of the lens, until it's in two pieces. I've attached pictures. I can get it back together, and even such that it seems "right", but it's not. The aperture remains closed down to f/22. I can see where the aperture ring "catch" has to catch the actual lever that slides the aperture open and close, but can't figure out how to align that aright so that when I screw the two parts of the barrel back together, the latch is right, and the ring "works". Even if I could get that, I'm not sure how to keep this from happening again - I don't see the mechanism that would normally "hold" the two parts together, and stop the "unscrew" from happening. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Oh, wait, it doesn't look like I can upload files. I'll see about posting them and putting a link here. In the meantime, if my description is helpful enough to inspire a reply, please do! Thanks.

Update: here's a link to the pictures (click)

Edited on Oct 12, 2023 at 07:36 PM · View previous versions

Oct 12, 2023 at 07:13 PM

jmcaine
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

Ok, here we go: Pictures of the Elmarit (click)

Oct 12, 2023 at 07:34 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

My best recommendation is to remove the mount (careful with the little ball that allows for aperture click-stops- don't lose it), then screw the helicoid back together and then refit the mount on to the back of the lens.

Out of curiosity, does the focus ring continue to turn beyond the MFD? Is that how the front's coming unscrewed?

Oct 14, 2023 at 02:12 AM

jmcaine
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

Thank you for the reply. I'll try this tomorrow.

Yes, it turns only slightly beyond the MFD, though, and stops nice and solid at that point - so it may be acting exactly as it should there. What happens, though, is that, when I've got it "all together" (minus the aperature latch), and start focusing toward the MFD, it gets to a certain point after which the end of the barrel now freely turns and "unscrews" the rest of the way. There's a pretty smooth transition between focusing close to MFD and then the end of the barrel turning independently to screw off the end and wind up with two pieces.

Oct 14, 2023 at 02:32 AM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

It sounds like whatever mechanism hard stops the helicoid movement has broken, but I have no idea what it is and what it looks like. I've done a mount replacement on that lens, but never had to open it up beyond that.

Oct 14, 2023 at 12:07 PM

jmcaine
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

Wow, what a fulfilling experience that was! Indeed, just as you said, freaklikeme, I was able to screw the halves together after removing the mount, and then I could carefully place the mount in the right place, with the aperature lever engaged, and it worked perfectly! However, yes, I do still think something is broken that would normally stop the focus turn, once it got to the end. It "feels" like I could pop it past that, again... for now, I'm just going to be careful to not focus that far, lest I have to do this surgery again. But at least I know I can do it, now. It didn't even take too long. What a marvel of engineering - so straightforward and elegant. It was a pleasure to "fix".

Oct 14, 2023 at 01:07 PM

Abuttolph
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

Congratulations on getting at least a reasonable fix in place. Glad that you had some success.

Oct 14, 2023 at 06:52 PM

freaklikeme
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Leitz Elmarit-R 1:2.8/180 trouble :(

jmcaine wrote:
Wow, what a fulfilling experience that was! Indeed, just as you said, freaklikeme, I was able to screw the halves together after removing the mount, and then I could carefully place the mount in the right place, with the aperature lever engaged, and it worked perfectly! However, yes, I do still think something is broken that would normally stop the focus turn, once it got to the end. It "feels" like I could pop it past that, again... for now, I'm just going to be careful to not focus that far, lest I have to do this surgery again. But...Show more →

I'm glad it worked. R lenses are, on the whole, beautifully made and tend to be easy to work on.

Oct 14, 2023 at 10:37 PM


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