Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/03/24

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Subject: Re: [Leica] questions about Leica lenses
From: Nathan Wajsman <wajsman@webshuttle.ch>
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2000 08:12:30 +0100

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/
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