focus issue M8

[HeinB]

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I had problems of misfocussing on my M8 with several lenses at full aperture. Both nearby (1m) as well as further away (5-15 m).

 

The body was sent to Solms for adjusting the rangefinder; and was recently returned.

Of the five lenses I use (90 apo, 28 scron, 35 scron pre-asph IV, slender 90 tele elmarit, and an old 50 scron from late sixties) only two focus properly with the newly adjusted rangefinder. The funny thing is that only the two oldest lenses focus properly (50 scron and 90 tele-elmarit). they do well both near and far.

 

I am considering to have the focus cam (curve) of each lens adjusted; my Leica dealer tells me the cost will be approx € 120 per lens. Apart from the cost, however, I hesitate to do it because if the factory calibration of the rangefinder was incorrect, I may be spoiling the three newer lenses.

 

Anyone with similar experiences and good advice?

thanks in advance, Hein

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[wda]

Hein, in no way am I disputing your findings, but please let me add another point of view.

 

When I first got my M8 I was astonished by my focusing errors which simply didn't exist on my M6. I searched and read many threads in this forum and found that I was not alone. Before seeking recalibration I scrutinized my focusing methods and concluded that, in the case of my 50mm, 75mm and 90mm lenses I needed a viewfinder magnifier. I bought the 1.4X version despite gulping at the cost. Immediately I found that my focusing success rate improved. I continued to exercise and improve my technique and have found that it is rare nowadays that I have an off-focus shot. In fact I have deliberately explored and use full aperture for the dof benefits that setting confers. I do not need the magnifier with wider angle lenses which is lucky because it does restrict the viewfinder imaging with wide angle lenses. The fact that your kit has been recalibrated at Solms suggests to me that there just might be other factors responsible. Just a thought!

[Hausen17]

I agree with David also. I also bought a 1.4x magnifier and it has taken away the focus issues that I had with my M8. Makes the focusing area significantly bigger and and gives me a lot more confidence that what I am seeing I will get. You can get one for US$60 from Hong Kong on ebay rather than the Leica model and there has been a recent thread on it where uses were very happy. Maybe spend the $60 and see if things improve before you attack those lenes.

[archi4]

Hein,

If it does turn out to be the lenses, send them to Solms.

I just had a lens adjusted in Solms and it is absolutely perfect and the price was very reasonable.

maurice

[ho_co]

I am considering to have the focus cam (curve) of each lens adjusted; my Leica dealer tells me the cost will be approx € 120 per lens.

Hein--

There's no way a dealer can tell you before the fact what Leica will charge for a focus adjustment. Leica will give you an estimate based on the specific situation with each lens. Don't let the dealer intrude himself between you and Leica.

 

The M8's sensor is much more demanding than film, but it's strange that three lenses should show a similar problem.

 

It's also strange that you're finding errors with the wide-angles.

 

Can you try another lens comparable to yours (90 Apo, say, or 28/2) to see if it's also out?

 

You may need to send the lenses and body to Solms together.

 

Good luck!

[HeinB]

Thank you all for yr suggestions.

 

For one, I did the tests over and over, from tripod, shooting a ruler so I can tell how far the focus is off the mark. This was for nearby. Further away, I shot vertical strings at 5 or 10 m distance. Though I immediately accept the suggestion that 1.4 magnifier will help a lot with 90 mm lenses, at the same time I have no doubt that the misfocussing in my case is a matter of the equipment. This is so because it is consistent at repeated shots; while the sharpest zone with the 50 mm and 90 tele-elmarit is exactly centered around the target point on the ruler, the three other lenses show the focus some 5 cm nearer on the ruler (all at 1m distance). At larger distances, 5-10m, the focus is off by 1-2 m (also: towards the camera). Both near and far off, these errors are large enough for unsharpness.

Reassuring it was to hear that Solms can do a perfect job with such correction on the lens. Your answers raise exactly one point i was pondering over: is it better to send the lenses plus camera together, or the three 'off'-lenses alone. If together with the body, then my idea is to submit all five lenses, to make sure that no adjustments are made on the rangefinder that make incorrect focussing on the 50 and 90 tele (which are now working fine) afterwards. A disadvantage of sending body plus lenses is also that the rangefinder may get adjusted such that new lenses - to be purchased later - will misfocus.

 

Ideally, Leica should have equipment to adjust the rangefinder in absolute terms (without a lens) and also equipment to adjust the focus cam on the lens in absolute terms (without a body). If all of this is done well, all problems should be resolved. But I wonder whether it works like that. It would certainly not seem easy to take out the focus cam from a lens, grind in in shape, and place it at exactly the right longitude to make it fit perfectly to a pre-adjusted rangefinder (which is to remain fixed to meet all other lenses properly).

 

Anyway, thanks for your help so far, more suggestions / reports welcome,

regards HeinB

[ho_co]

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... Ideally, Leica should have equipment to adjust the rangefinder in absolute terms (without a lens) and also equipment to adjust the focus cam on the lens in absolute terms (without a body). If all of this is done well, all problems should be resolved. ...

 

They do both those things. Very seldom to they want to see both lens and body for later adjustment.

 

We are all surprised when this kind of thing comes up, and I'm sure Leica is as well.

 

See the Reichmann factory tour video or the Wired factory visit web site. Both show the equipment for the computer-aided setting procedure of the rangefinder at three different distances.

[Guest mc_k]

Hein, the string test is interesting. How thick are the strings and how far apart do you put them?

[archi4]

Hein,

My bodies were adjusted to the factory standard in Solms.

Since then, I have had a few lenses, new and used, which I purchased afterwards and which were off.

I sent only the lenses and they were returned focusing perfectly. In your place, I would only send one of the faulty lenses to begin with, especially since focus is ok with the older lenses. Since you had the body adjusted in Solms that work is under warranty and if it has to be redone they won't charge you for it.

Send them an e-mail and explain the situation. I have always found them to be most helpful and when you send the items enclose a letter explaining the problem.

Leica Camera AG - Service - headquarters germany

[HeinB]

Howard, Archi4,

thanks for yr comments; yes this sounds sensible, I will submit one lens first and see how it is resolved; it's encouraging that you had favorable experiences.

Regards Hein

[dpattinson]

My experience agrees with the other posters. I sent in a 24asph for coding which was focusing fine, a 50lux asph which was out pretty much as you describe and my M8 body.

 

I got back two perfectly focusing coded lenses and a M8 body that now focuses just fine with almost any new-ish lens I pick up (including my other lenses that I didn't send in).

 

I'd just send the lenses (all 3 of them). If they come back perfect, you are sorted. If they come back and they are not right - then you can send the lot in and they will fix it all for free anyway.