Leica 35/3.5 ltm summaron stiff focusing/rangefinder not focusing

[Jon Buffington]

Hope this is the right place to ask. Picked up a 1952 ltm 35 summaron a while back and haven't used it a lot, but have used it on my iiif. I just picked up a fotodiox adapter for use on my M5 and noticed an issue today. The focusing tab is somewhat stiff from 5-6 feet to minimum distance of 1meter, something that hasn't bothered me all that much. However, I noticed at the point where it gets stiff in focusing, the rangerfinder patch stop aligning (if this make sense). Basically, the rangefinder patch will focus to about 6 feet then stops as the focusing gets stiff. Any ideas on the problem here? Adapter issues (I have used fotodiox adapters in the past and currently without issues), stiff focusing issues (time for a lens cla), other issue?

Any thoughts, advice, recommendations appreciated. FWIW, I am not good at repairs but willing to try simple stuff if the issue is simple. Otherwise, off to the tech.

 

[John Koehrer]

Here's how it works.
1)There aren't any user serviceable parts in there.

The RF follower arm in the body, just rides on the cam at the base of the lens/lens barrel. When
it disengages, the lever is no longer riding the cam (6') on yours.
Check the location & depth of travel with the lens on the adapter to one of your M lenses.
I sounds like as the lens is focused closer, the follower is binding. You may be able to see it
working through the film aperture.
Does the adapter match up in cam access location & depth to one of your M lenses?

 

[Jon Buffington]

Thank you John, I will check this out. I figured it was something to do with the cam and will take your suggestion looking through the film aperture.

First to finish this roll of film loaded. Time to use the vc 35 skopar today/tomorrow.