Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/03/24
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]John, > Hi -- I'm thinking about buying into the Leica R system. I have been > offered a nearly new R8, and a used summicron 50 f/2 and Elmarit 90 f/2.8. > > How do I determine whether these lenses are 3 cam or 2 cam? I don't see > three things that I think of "cams". Take the rear lens cap off. Along the edges you will see two curved metallic thingies, about 3/4" long, located more or less opposite each other. These are the cams. Between them is the diaphragm activating level. If you see nothing more, you have a 2-cam lens. If, in addition you see a third metallic thingie (thinner than the cams) on the inside of one of the two curved cams, then you have a 3-cam lens. Some lenses only have this third cam, and are for use on R-cameras only (i.e. not on the Leicaflex or SL or SL2). > Is there a way to tell by their functionality on the camera? Or by their > serial numbers? The 90 is 36XXXXX; the 50 is 31XXXXX. Both lenses have > their focal length written on the barrel in a sort of computer typeface in > orange. If you use a 2-cam lens on an R8, you will have stop-down metering only. Nathan - -- Nathan Wajsman Overijse, Belgium and Zurich, Switzerland e-mail: wajsman@webshuttle.ch General photo site: http://belgiangator.tripod.com/ Belgium photo site: http://members.xoom.com/wajsman/ Motorcycle site: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/1704/