StoN Posted October 26, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 26, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hey! I just bought a 50mm Summicron and noticed focusing is way off. Scale focus works but when I align the pictures in the viewfinder it's off. It's focusing about half a meter behind target. Having said that, my 35mm Summicron is fine in viewfinder and when scale focusing. So the question is - whats wrong with the 50 and do I need to send it to Leica? (If so, should I send it everything to Leica, camera plus the two lenses?) Everything is bought second hand so no warrenty... Thanks in advance! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 26, 2014 Posted October 26, 2014 Hi StoN, Take a look here Focusing off - send it to Leica?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
pico Posted October 26, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 26, 2014 Personally, I would return the Summicron to the seller and try another. First, you might check to see if the lens is partially unscrewed from the focusing mount. They do that sometimes. . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoN Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted October 26, 2014 Personally, I would return the Summicron to the seller and try another. First, you might check to see if the lens is partially unscrewed from the focusing mount. They do that sometimes.. I told him about the problem and he stopped returning my e-mails... What do I need to do to check it, take apart the lens? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted October 26, 2014 Share #4 Posted October 26, 2014 (edited) Personally, I would return the Summicron to the seller and try another. First, you might check to see if the lens is partially unscrewed from the focusing mount. They do that sometimes.. Indeed, only this lens is said to focus behind target. If the lens head were partly unscrewed, it would focus in front of the target because of the extra extension. Exactly the same thing happened to me when I bought an 135 mm TeleElmar. Turned out it was incorrectly assembled, likely by someone fiddling with it without knowing what they did. The technician I consulted found out that the focussing helicoid (that has 16 entries) was put together in the wrong position; once he found the right one, it was (still is) spot on. Edited October 26, 2014 by elgenper Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikonJeff Posted October 26, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 26, 2014 Where did you purchase it? Off eBay or a private seller? I agree that if this is the only lens you own that is not focusing properly, I'd send it back and get a refund. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdlaing Posted October 26, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 26, 2014 Did you buy it using PayPal ? If so I would file an immediate claim in the Resolution Center if the seller won't respond. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted October 26, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 26, 2014 (edited) Advertisement (gone after registration) I told him about the problem and he stopped returning my e-mails...What do I need to do to check it, take apart the lens? I defer to Per's post. Edited October 26, 2014 by pico Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
A miller Posted October 26, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 26, 2014 If on ebay you have the unfettered right to return. This is the problem with second hand lenses that will be used on digital bodies, particularly those with large apertures. I find that it that used lenses more often than not have focus shift issues that may not be noticeable (even at all) on film bodies, but are easily noticeable on digit able bodies, particularly when used wide open at close range. I have returned three 28mm summicrons from Adorama and B&H in the past 6 months b/c of focus shift issues. Two of these were brand new. A purchased a 90mm cron brand new and it had focus shift issues that needed to be corrected. My beloved 75mm summilux that I bought used from Adorama has focus shift issues, although they paid for a CLA as well as a 6-bit coding from Leica (so all was well there). My brand 50mm summilux asph even came with focus shift issues that needed a trip to Leica. Anyone seeking to purchase san expensive second hand lens for use on a digital body would be well served to have the ability to test focus wide open at close range prior to becoming irrevocably committed to purchasing. Of course, there could be situations in which the price would be right even considering a CLA from Leica. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoN Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted October 26, 2014 Where did you purchase it? Off eBay or a private seller? I agree that if this is the only lens you own that is not focusing properly, I'd send it back and get a refund. Not e-bay. We met and I transferred the money. Didn't have time to properly test the lens and check the pictures on my laptop since I had to catch a train. I'll remember to make more time the next time I'll buy something... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted October 27, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 27, 2014 In my experience focus discrepancies related to the tighter tolerance of digital sensors have been limited to a few centimeters at most. That was the case with a 50 Cron and 135 T-E I have which seemed fine all the years I used them with film. A lens that is off by 50cm would be unacceptible even with film. Given the selller isn't returning e-mails one might suspect he knew about it. The good news is unless someone altered the lens permanently, Leica or a competent independent repair tech should be able to put it right. That was the case with my 50. The 135 came back just as bad, but I was able to DIY it to perfection. Not an easy fix but all's well that ends well. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoN Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted October 27, 2014 In my experience focus discrepancies related to the tighter tolerance of digital sensors have been limited to a few centimeters at most. That was the case with a 50 Cron and 135 T-E I have which seemed fine all the years I used them with film. A lens that is off by 50cm would be unacceptible even with film. Given the selller isn't returning e-mails one might suspect he knew about it. The good news is unless someone altered the lens permanently, Leica or a competent independent repair tech should be able to put it right. That was the case with my 50. The 135 came back just as bad, but I was able to DIY it to perfection. Not an easy fix but all's well that ends well. He said he was using it on a mirrorless Sony so maybe he didn't notice it using live view. If I send it to Leica do you think they want the M9 as well or can they fix it without me losing the camera for a few weeks? Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
run23 Posted October 27, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 27, 2014 I always assume that a used lens will need to be calibrated and build that into my budget. Send it off to DAG Camera and get it adjusted. No need to send the camera if you know it is calibrated correctly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted October 27, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 27, 2014 I have always bought used Leica lenses from a reputable source like KEH as one example, where I have a no-hassle return period in which to check it out, and a reasonable warranty in case something goes awry after the return period. True, it only costs about $100-150 to have a lens CLAd and adjusted, but given the price of Leica lenses, on the off chance there's a serious issue that can't be repaired economically (or at all) it's not worth the risk to me, as I'm not the sort of person who could sell or trade it on without disclosing the issue honestly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stchang Posted November 22, 2014 Share #14 Posted November 22, 2014 Hey!I just bought a 50mm Summicron and noticed focusing is way off. Scale focus works but when I align the pictures in the viewfinder it's off. It's focusing about half a meter behind target. Having said that, my 35mm Summicron is fine in viewfinder and when scale focusing. So the question is - whats wrong with the 50 and do I need to send it to Leica? (If so, should I send it everything to Leica, camera plus the two lenses?) Everything is bought second hand so no warrenty... Thanks in advance! I had a similar issue when I purchased an used but beautiful 75mm Summilux with a super reasonable price around US$3,400. I knew it needs a CLA job b/c the focusing ring had some gap with a bit loose focusing range. I sent the lens to a master at the local pro-shop who fixed variety of camera or lens issues, and it cost me around US$200. I believe a beautiful 75mm Summilux is worth US$3,600 so I still purchased the lens anyway. I love the photos shoot by my 75mm Summilux!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoN Posted November 22, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted November 22, 2014 I had a similar issue when I purchased an used but beautiful 75mm Summilux with a super reasonable price around US$3,400. I knew it needs a CLA job b/c the focusing ring had some gap with a bit loose focusing range. I sent the lens to a master at the local pro-shop who fixed variety of camera or lens issues, and it cost me around US$200. I believe a beautiful 75mm Summilux is worth US$3,600 so I still purchased the lens anyway. I love the photos shoot by my 75mm Summilux!!! Seems like I had a similar problem. In the end I sent the lens and the M9 to Leica to get it fixed. I got the estimate and fixing the focusing mount and "optical adjustment digital M and all parts" ended up costing about 150 euros. They also said the sensor, rangefinder and "all parts" needed adjusting and some cleaning so the total cost is about 300 euros. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DigitalHeMan Posted November 23, 2014 Share #16 Posted November 23, 2014 Seems like I had a similar problem.In the end I sent the lens and the M9 to Leica to get it fixed. I got the estimate and fixing the focusing mount and "optical adjustment digital M and all parts" ended up costing about 150 euros. They also said the sensor, rangefinder and "all parts" needed adjusting and some cleaning so the total cost is about 300 euros. Out of interest, how long did the adjustment and repair take? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StoN Posted November 23, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted November 23, 2014 Out of interest, how long did the adjustment and repair take? I sent it to them on the 29th of october, they sent the estimate on the 5th of november by mail and it arrived about 5-7 days later. Now I'm just waiting for the camera. Will let you know when I get it back. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.