shOo Posted February 23, 2010 Share #1 Posted February 23, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Helli, I am new to this forum. And, actually my camera body isn't a leica, but I have a 50mm summicron DR on it, since it is my first leica lens, I notice that it wasn't the best choice... I've read that it doesn't work well on leica M8 and some other cameras, but I can't find anything about the bessa r3a.. The lens mounts without any problems, but I can't focus to infinity. The focusing ring get stuck between the 10m (25feet) and infinity. I guess it's the same problem why it doesn't mount on M8- cause it hits the camera construction, but if someone tried it, does it really make a big difference? I mean, maybe if I'd ignore it, and shoot focused to infinity only stepped down at about f5.8-8, would it be sharp enough? I live in Lithuania, and bought the lens from USA, so it's too expensive for me to just sell it and buy the rigid version. I heard someone modified the lens to fit the M8 body, was that difficult, or is it expensive? I am not going to use the close up goggles, all i nead is clean focusing distance from 1m to infinity. Does that part of the lens, that hit's the camerabody do anything with range finder coupling when not using the close up part? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 23, 2010 Posted February 23, 2010 Hi shOo, Take a look here Summicron DR problem with Bessa R3A. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bill Posted February 23, 2010 Share #2 Posted February 23, 2010 First and foremost, ShOo, welcome. Secondly, congratulations on your choice of lens. The DR Summicron, while not state of the art, enjoys a deservedly fine reputation. I am on my second, and love it to bits. Now. To try to help. First of all, what body are you using it on? You mention that it is not a Leica, and we know that there are problems mounting this lens on the M8 and M9, but if you tell us what you are using that may help. Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shOo Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #3 Posted February 23, 2010 Hi, thanks for the fast reply. actually the camera body is named in the name of the thread. It is Voigtlander Bessa R3A Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted February 23, 2010 Share #4 Posted February 23, 2010 Ah, my apologies - I linked here directly the first time from the main forum so missed that detail I have used mine on a Voigtlander in the past and did not have a problem... I am wondering if there is something specific to your lens that is causing an issue? Can you post a picture of the back of the lens? Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shOo Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted February 23, 2010 well, i don't have a digital camera, so please, don't mind the picture quality from my phone. Maybe you need some more specific pictures? Cause now, I can only show you how one part of the lens sticks out when focused to infinity. and on the second picture, if you can see a small white spot, to the left from coupling element, it's the paint from the metal that wore out from that lens. So I guess that's the place where it gets stuck. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/113455-summicron-dr-problem-with-bessa-r3a/?do=findComment&comment=1236024'>More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted February 23, 2010 Share #6 Posted February 23, 2010 25 feet is not infinity. 300 feet is not infinity. There is but one plane of focus and I would not accept the problem. Debth of field is an illusion and as the picture gets larger, it is less and less relevent. You need to change cameras or lenses. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shOo Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted February 23, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I understand what you're saying, but changing lens or camera is not an option for me, since I am a student, and it's too expensive. But I believe there is a way to modify that lens. My main questions are: if anyone had this problem and worked it out? Does that part of the lens that gets stuck to the camera only needed for close up focusing with goggles? (because the rigid version of summicron doesn't have that part at all); any other solutions would be helpful Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted February 23, 2010 Share #8 Posted February 23, 2010 Yes- it is a known modification to trim off the skirt. But it will not do the value of your lens much good. It will not affect the normal focussing - that is controlled by the brass and black-colored slope next to the bayonet . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lll Posted February 23, 2010 Share #9 Posted February 23, 2010 You cannot use this lens neither at an Bessa nor at a M8/9, as the second Rangefinder coupling surface is reaching too far into the body. Have you got the goggles too? Then leave it as it is. If you could have bought it at ebay you can sell it there too - and buy an even cheaper single range Summicron. If you grind away the second surface, which is coupling to the Rangefinder in the macro mode, you would destroy the special value of the lens. value to use and monetary value at the same time, irrepairable. You can even sell the goggles hardly alone as there were two versions and it would be a great coincidence if somebody would just search for your version while you offer it. Regards Friedhelm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shOo Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #10 Posted February 23, 2010 Thanks, I will think about it, but selling the lens is going to cost me a lot, cause I can't find a rigid summicron in my country, and if i buy from US, i have to pay 1/4 of the price for taxes.. In case i decide to mod the lens. The part that is sticking out of the M bayonet (as i understood the second rangefinder coupling surface) is only for close focusing? I wouldn't see the difference, except for ability to focus to infinity? And no, I bought it without the goggles, because I knew I won't be able to use them on my bessa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizard Posted February 23, 2010 Share #11 Posted February 23, 2010 I live in Lithuania, and bought the lens from USA, ... My friend, to the best of my knowledge, Lithuania now IS a member state of the European Union. Why on earth do you buy a lens from the USA, with all the associated tax and custom problems? Try to find a regular Summicron lens (not DR) e.g. on German ebay, there's plenty of them, and have it sent to Lithuania without any of the above problems. That is one of the huge advantages of being inside the EU . Also, you may try to sell your lens on German ebay (or UK ebay) in order to fund your new lens. Regards, Andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lll Posted February 23, 2010 Share #12 Posted February 23, 2010 No goggles? Ok, then grind away the part outside the bayonet flange. But take care, not getting any of the brass material into the mechanics, especially into the focusing helical! Afterwards it will work as any normal SR Summicron of that age. - And is still useable at a Visoflex for close focusing work. Good luck! Friedhelm Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
shOo Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted February 23, 2010 My friend, to the best of my knowledge, Lithuania now IS a member state of the European Union. Why on earth do you buy a lens from the USA, with all the associated tax and custom problems? Try to find a regular Summicron lens (not DR) e.g. on German ebay, there's plenty of them, and have it sent to Lithuania without any of the above problems. That is one of the huge advantages of being inside the EU . Also, you may try to sell your lens on German ebay (or UK ebay) in order to fund your new lens. Regards, Andy Yes, I know we're in EU. But did you compare the ES and US prices? mostly even with import taxes and VAT it's still cheaper to buy stuff from the united states. I know it's strange, since leica is a German company, but when I was looking for one, i found that lens in US cheaper than in any european ebay. Thanks for the advice, though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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