Summilux lens mounting problem on M8?

[AusDLK]

Anyone else have problems mounting a 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH on an M8?

Mine is the "Made in Canada" version with the Series VII filter in the hood.

When the focus is set at infinity, the lens cannot be mounted (turned) at all.

When set to a closer distance, the lens can be mounted but cannot be focused to infinity.

The lens mounts fine on my M7 and R-D1. (But I want to perform some focus tests now though.)

Anyone? Anyone? Thoughts?

[J. Borger]

No problem here ... but i have the latest version of the pre-asph .. not the canada version.

[AusDLK]

I did some infinity and close focus tests with the lens on my R-D1 and it seems to be okay...

It just won't mount properly on the M8.

[jaapv]

I had a similar problem with a Visoflex housing- it was fine on my M3- but wouldn't mount on my M6.
It turned out that one of the lugs on the lensmount was knocked slightly out of alignment over the years. It was question of tolerances. A quick swipe with one of my instruments solved the problem.

[AusDLK]

This from Don at DAG:

"The only thing that I can think of that might be in the way on your Summilux lens is the so called "dust cover" or rear lens protecting rim. This ring is black & fits around the rear lens element & also has a cut-out just like the lens flange has for the clearance of the following arm. Perhaps this is getting in the way. "

Any comments, gentlemen?

[Simon Larbalestier]

I have the same canadian lens - am waiting on the M8
I would try contacting Lecia direct and see what they say perhap the rear dust dust protecting rim flange can be modified to fit.
I would have thought Leica would have lsited this lens if it wasn't compatible on the M8? It's still a popular lens despite the flack that surrounds it.

You could also try posting on the Leica Users Forum in the digital section - there are lots of very good people who post there and may offer a suggestion or at least have the same problem.

I had to have my 35/1.4 re-collimated by Lecia as it wasn't focussing at infinity on any of my M's.

Thanks for the HU on this as it's something that needs addressing.

[ClayH]

Mine mounts on the M8 with no problems at all. Works fine.

[paulhart]

Mine's a 'Made in Germany' model and it mounts fine on my M8.

[Bob Parsons]

Yes! at last someone else with the same problem as mine.

It's caused by the rear lens shroud being too long. I contacted leica in the UK and they have not encountered the problem before.

I compared my Summilux with two others my dealer had, his mounted OK. The shroud on the back of my lens is about 1/2mm longer than on the two he had. My lens serial # is 30515xx Canadian, dealers were 26xxxxx and 28xxxxx.

All is not lost though, the complete lens cell unscrews from the front of the mount giving access to three small screws that retain the shroud. If you remove these and the shroud you can machine down the shroud. A competent lens repairer should be able to do this for you. It's important to mark the shroud and lens cell first so they can be re-assembled with the original orientation since the shroud has a cut out to avoid fouling the rangefinder follower cam.

I have a similar problem with a 35mm f1.2 Nokton. Of course, not being a Leica lens it's of no concern to Leica. The cause of the problem in this case is a bit more subtle.

The rear of the Nokton has two "fins" which protect the lens. Their diameter is just small enough to clear the semi circular cut outs each side of the throat in the camera body. However clearance relies on the "box" (equivalent to mirror box on SLR) being symmetrically placed about the lens axis. On my M8 it's fractionally off center which causes the edge of the box to bind on one of the fins There's a small ridge at the back of the semi-circular cut outs in the box that the fin catches on.

I've had the rear edge of the fins on the Nokton machined off but it's insufficient so it needs a second try.

Bob.

[Gabriel M.A.]

Eek.

Thanks for the info, Bob.

[rbrooks]

Yep. Just got my M8. First lens I tried. My 35mm pre-asph Lux from the 1980s serial no. 339XXXX doesnt mount when focused at infinity. Hmmmm. 2nd lens was a collapsible Summar -- collapsing when focused at infinity comes up roughly 1mm short. The 35 (and 50) Lux has been my favorite these last few years.

[Joe Mondello]

Well my M8 shows up and I go to mount my 1963 DR Summicron 50/2 and -- it mounts but not easily and then focusing is tight.

My CV lenses of course mount and focus just fine.

[scho]

Originally Posted by Joe Mondello

Well my M8 shows up and I go to mount my 1963 DR Summicron 50/2 and -- it mounts but not easily and then focusing is tight.

My CV lenses of course mount and focus just fine.

I had exactly the same problem with my 40mm Nokton on the M8 - difficult to mount and very tight focusing. Sold it with my R-D1 (worked fine on the R-D1) and replaced with a Zeiss 35 biogon. The Zeiss and all of my other CV lenses work fine on the M8.

[fgianni]

So after Micro$oft we have found another company that is not compatible with itself!

[crist]

Maybe we can make a list with the lens cannot fit on M8?

[ampguy]

I haven't owned one yet, so I wouldn't know where to start.

However, I have not tried my J12, and don't plan to.

[crist]

1.- DR Summicron 50/2
2.- 40mm Nokton
3.- 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH , "Made in Canada" version
4.-?

[ampguy]

#'s 2, and 3 work great on my M8 (classic).

Originally Posted by crist

1.- DR Summicron 50/2
2.- 40mm Nokton
3.- 35mm Summilux pre-ASPH , "Made in Canada" version
4.-?