Summaron Screw-mount on M5 -- close range focusing issues

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I just got a screw mount summaron to use on my m5. I bought an adapter and it seems to work fine -- except the rangefinder focusing mechanism doesn't work closer than 5.5 feet. the double images move as i focus until that point, but any closer the double image stops moving. is this normal? it seems like there should be more room here. on the lens itself, it goes to 3.5 ft.

 

i have another screwmount lens with apapter, a jupiter 8, which focuses as far as the lens will turn, just under a meter.

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[tobey bilek]

This will not happen if you use a Leica bayonet adapter. Off brand ones are sometimes too thick. They need to be 1 mm if you have a micrometer.

 

That or there is some debris or a burr between the lens and adapter or adapter and lens or on the RF coupling cam or on the RF contact roller.

 

The lens may have been cleaned and focusing assembled improperly.

 

The M5 RF mechanism may not be adjusted properly.

 

Try the set up on a different camera making sure the distances are correct, infinity is infinity and 5 feet is five feet from the film plane. If You have a Leica 50 mm, it is calibrated at 1 meter. Infinity and 1 meter from the film plane are the only two adjustment points for the RF. Infinity is a star or moon, not the house across the street. The film plane is marked on the camera.

 

Unfortunately without multiple pieces of equipment known to be calibrated properly, it can be difficult to track down these problems.