Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/09/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 9/23/2005 11:30:34 AM Pacific Daylight Time, peter_knowlden@telus.net writes: <<Have been following the '50' debate and so I pulled out my 3.5 Elmar on M3. I don't use it much because it is rather slow but chiefly because the sliding tube is really tight, as is the focus. Apart from pricey CLA, is there a simple fix for this? Is the gasket sensitive to lubricant? I normally shoot with a J8 or the Tele Elmar 135 when using the M3 but I should make the collapsible lens functional as it is a real space saver when travelling. Any comments would be welcome. Peter>> Peter, the fix for stiff focus on the 3.5 Elmar is simple, simple, simple. Just remove the long screw that limits the close-focus travel of the focusing mount and turn the focusing mount the rest of the way to separate the two halves of the mount. You can then clean the old congealed lube from both halves of the focusing mount with toothpicks and Ronsonol, (lighter fluid), then relube with a suitable grease and reassemble. Note: mark the point at which the mount separates on both halves of the focus mount, and when reassembling start the two halves together at that same point. The focus mount can be reassembled incorrectly because there is more than one entry point for the threads. It is not a serious issue because a little trial and error will soon let you find the correct point at which to start threading the two halves together. For lube, a lot of people just use white lithium based bearing grease from the hardware store. Not sure about the stiff sliding fit of the collapsible tube. I would think that might be a good thing. :-) Regards, Paul Connet