neila Posted February 17, 2010 Share #1 Posted February 17, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hello strangers! I don't post much these days... however still using my M8 a lot.. My 50mm Summicron seems unable to focus at infinity, I noticed this when focussing on a distant church spire today - it stops just before it's fully focussed. It's fine at other ranges. I assume it must be the lens - I'm not that technical! It is also dark as I type so I haven't tested other lenses. Is this something I can adjust myself? If not, does anyone know of somewhere in Surrey/Guildford area that could do this....? Many thanks Neil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 Hi neila, Take a look here M8 or 50mm focussing problem..... I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Gerard Posted February 17, 2010 Share #2 Posted February 17, 2010 Sounds like the lens requires a service. Not sure of any skilled repair agent in your area, but if there is one, someone here are sure to advise. I'm presuming the lens has no warranty? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 17, 2010 Share #3 Posted February 17, 2010 CRR in Luton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neila Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share #4 Posted February 17, 2010 The lens is very much out of warranty - I've had it for years.... Luton is a bit of a distance from me, London is closer. It would be good to find someone that could do it on the premises rather than having to send it away. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianv Posted February 17, 2010 Share #5 Posted February 17, 2010 Which version Summicron is it? Makes a difference. Does the lens drive the RF mechanism to infinity, and the actual focus is off? If so: the lens requires shimming. It is too far from the CCD. If the lens does not drive the RF to infinity, and the actual focus agrees with the RF- different problem. If it is an LTM lens used with an adapter, then the adapter is too thick. If is M-Mount, something odd is up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mc_k Posted February 18, 2010 Share #6 Posted February 18, 2010 ...should check the camera against other lenses Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neila Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted February 18, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Which version Summicron is it? Makes a difference. Does the lens drive the RF mechanism to infinity, and the actual focus is off? If so: the lens requires shimming. It is too far from the CCD. If the lens does not drive the RF to infinity, and the actual focus agrees with the RF- different problem. If it is an LTM lens used with an adapter, then the adapter is too thick. If is M-Mount, something odd is up. It's a Summicron 1:2/50 E39. Unfortunately I can see that someone has dropped my camera because the edge of the UV filter is bent - I've not noticed this until today. My wife and kids will, of course, deny all knowledge, it's not even worth asking them. I'm so upset.... To answer your questions (although given the above, it all might be a bit redundant now) the body of the lens seems to go to infinity in that it looks like it is registering infinity on the 'dial' - the small black centre line registers with the centre of the infinity mark. Through the lens, the two 'leaves' of the RF, whilst focussing in sharply short of infinity (in a portrait shot for example) won't quite go to infinity on a long range shot. When it stops raining I will go outside and check against the other lenses I have..... Not a happy bunny. PS This is the last photo I took - so it clearly focusses closer up than infinity. (My son after eating a very sour sweet!). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted February 18, 2010 Share #8 Posted February 18, 2010 The real question is does the rangefinder patch stop short of or go past coinciding with the image displayed in the viewfinder. If it stops short then this is more then likely a problem with the camera. If it goes past then I wouldn't worry about it as true infinity is a long way off. And it has been my experience that unless you are taking a shot of something miles and miles away you will never get to the infinity stop for a clear in-focus shot. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neila Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share #9 Posted February 18, 2010 The real question is does the rangefinder patch stop short of or go past coinciding with the image displayed in the viewfinder. If it stops short then this is more then likely a problem with the camera. If it goes past then I wouldn't worry about it as true infinity is a long way off. And it has been my experience that unless you are taking a shot of something miles and miles away you will never get to the infinity stop for a clear in-focus shot. The patch stops short of reaching infinity, so the two images don't ever combine..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootist Posted February 18, 2010 Share #10 Posted February 18, 2010 The patch stops short of reaching infinity, so the two images don't ever combine..... then you need to check it with other lenses and if it is the same then it is the camera. If the other lenses are OK then it is the lens. I suspect it is the camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neila Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted February 18, 2010 It's still pouring with rain - yuk! But will go out later and check......... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neila Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted February 18, 2010 I don't think my photos will tell you very much! I've just been out into the garden and taken a couple of shots at infinity This is with the 50mm and uncropped: This is with the 50mm and cropped to roughly 100% of the image (same shot) I tried a shot with my 35mm but it doesn't tell me anything other than it seems that infinity is 'achieved' through the lens whereas on the 50mm it comes up just short. HOWEVER, the photos above (although dreadful shots) look acceptably in focus. Yesterday I was on a boat at sunset sailing away from the Isle of Wight, there was a church silhouetted by the sunlight about half a mile away and the 50mm clearly showed me two spires at infinity through the lens! i.e. not quite achieving infinity. Am I going mad?? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 18, 2010 Share #13 Posted February 18, 2010 If the lens focusses to infinity and the rangefinder does not, the rangefinder will have to be adjusted. Which means taking is to a qualified technician, who will put a reference lens on it and using targets at 1m, 3m, 10m and "infinity" (something far away) adjust the body for you. If you are smart you will give him your lenses at the same time, which he will put on a reference body and do the same thing. An independent will give you a fast turnaround and a reasonable price. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
neila Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share #14 Posted February 19, 2010 I will do this.... Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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