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Do I have a focus problem at infinity?


Nordvik

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It looks to me like the house is in focus at 2,8 (looks the same as at 5,6) and that the mountain in the background is out of focus. Do you agree? I don't think the lens should be "soft" like this in the centre even at 2,8.

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Sorry i thought you had a focusing problem. I have no experience with the Biogon 28/2.8 but compared to Summicron or Elmarit asph, the former is softer on edges and corners normally but not in the center where it excels at all apertures but f/16 according to Sepulchre, page 153.

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I expected it to be sharper wide open, and I think it is at shorter distances, but I can live with it.

 

The reason I started taking these test pictures was because I discovered the same problem with my 50mm Planar ZM. Correct focus at 1m. Front focus about 10cm at 3m. Can't reach infinity.

 

Skjermbilde-2012-03-08-kl-210938.jpg

 

Skjermbilde-2012-03-08-kl-211017.jpg

 

This I can't accept. I am worried that there could be something wrong with the camera and not the lenses.

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Today I went to the dealer and tested a 90mm Summicron. Is this what can be expected from a handheld shot wide open at 1/250 set at infinity? The distance to the church tower is maybe 400-500m.

 

Skjermbilde2012-03-10kl212406.png

 

This lens focused better at 3-5 meters then my 50mm.

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Today I took some test pictures again with the 50mm. Now at 1m using 2,0 and 5,6:

 

Skjermbilde-2012-03-16-kl-212229.jpg

 

Skjermbilde-2012-03-16-kl-212303.jpg

 

It is a bit softer at 2,0 but not as much as at infinity to my eyes.

 

I found this in a review: ZEISS 50MM F2 PLANAR ZM LENS REVIEW

 

"As always, there are some trade-offs. Infinity focus with Zeiss 50mm F2 ZM Planar is very difficult to hit. I have tried four or five copies across four M8’s and without a doubt, infinity focus is NOT the lens’ strong suit. When the ZM is stopped down, DOF hides this shortcoming. My advice is - if shooting landscapes at or near infinity focus, stop down to F4 to F8"

 

Should I send the lens to Zeiss?

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Today I took some test pictures again with the 50mm. Now at 1m using 2,0 and 5,6:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/treball/Foto/Skjermbilde-2012-03-16-kl-212229.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/treball/Foto/Skjermbilde-2012-03-16-kl-212303.jpg

 

It is a bit softer at 2,0 but not as much as at infinity to my eyes.

 

I found this in a review: ZEISS 50MM F2 PLANAR ZM LENS REVIEW

 

"As always, there are some trade-offs. Infinity focus with Zeiss 50mm F2 ZM Planar is very difficult to hit. I have tried four or five copies across four M8’s and without a doubt, infinity focus is NOT the lens’ strong suit. When the ZM is stopped down, DOF hides this shortcoming. My advice is - if shooting landscapes at or near infinity focus, stop down to F4 to F8"

 

Should I send the lens to Zeiss?

 

Yes you should, and maybe send the M8 to solms to.

Had the same sort of problems like you describe. Went several times to the dealer to test other lenses and at the dealer I never really could get the problem. All looked quite allright, but not right on.

Decided to sent the camera and lenses to solms and when they were back it was like day and night. Because before the quality was okey I waited quite long before sending the camera, looking back I wish I had send it much earlier.

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...Should I send the lens to Zeiss?

The Planar 50/2 is a very sharp lens in the center so your sample and/or your body need some calibration i'm afraid. The lens seems to be the culprit at first glance but the result you've got with the Summicron 90 is not sharp enough if it is the current asph version so i cannot exonerate the body in spite of its recent trip to Solms.

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Thank you both.

I am not too impressed with the 90mm either, but it is better than the 50mm? Like all the other pictures it is a crop from a DNG shown at 100% without any sharpening using Aperture.

 

What if Zeiss can not find any fault, will they charge me even if the lens is under warranty?

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  • 1 month later...

Hi, I got the 50mm back from Oberkochen 20m ago. Got outside and took this picture at 2,0:

 

Skjermbilde2012-04-19kl110601.png

 

That is more like I expected it to perform. Very satisfied and relieved now. And very happy.

This is what Zeiss wrote to me:

 

"Service provided: Readjustment of flange focal distance and cam hight. Test for MTF and flange focal distance. Test on camera. This service is covered by warranty."

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  • 1 year later...

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