Summilux 50mm f:1.4 Aspherical infinite problem

[epand56]

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All my lenses focus correctly at infinite on my M8 except for my Summilux 50/1.4 Aspherical that is not perfectly alligned when focus is on infinite. It is a recent lens with code. When focusing on distant objects (clouds for example) they are not alligned in the patch.

Any advice to solve the problem without messing the performance of all other lenses?

Thanks for any hint.

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[jaapv]

Is the lens sharp at infinity and focussing correctly at other distances?

[epand56]

Hello Jaap, yes, the lens focuses correctly at close-medium distance but seems not to be in perfect focus when at infinite.

[jaapv]

Then, I fear, you'll just have to send it in for adjustment.

[epand56]

Along with the camera or just by itself?

[menos I M6]

Enrico, I am afraid, there is no way around shipping the lens to Solms.

 

Recently, I shipped my 50 Lux ASPH for coding and focus adjustment to Solms and got it back 6 weeks after, as quoted.

 

The lens came back, looking like new, feeling like new (focus feel was a bit sticky, now silky smooth), but to my sadness, the focus still was not spot on.

 

I don't understand this, as a recently bought new 35 Lux ASPH and new 135 APO Telyt are perfectly spot on at infinity AND close focus inline with my other lenses.

I don't understand, how Leica adjusts a fast lens to a different setting, than their production lenses. I assumed, the involved procedures, gauges and tolerances are the same (targeted on the now tighter tolerances for Leica M digitals ).

 

I live in Shanghai and shipping this lens again to Solms involves headache - it sits unused here, me too lazy, to manage to have it shipped back. Who takes over insured shipping for this retour?

 

The 50 Lux was my only lens, that constantly was off at infinity and produced focus issues otherwise on different bodies.

[epand56]

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Menos, I think I will keep it the way it is. Mine focus perfectly at close distance and is very sharp. Since I mostly use it for portraits or medium to short distance it is ok to me. I will avoid using it for infinite shot and the problem is solved. My Lux 35/1.4 Asph can do that in place.

Besides, it must be a problem of that lens since my friend Maurizio had a black one (mine is silver) that had the same problem on his M9 and on my M8.

 

Thank you very much to Jaap and you for your precious advice.

[jplomley]

Since I mostly use it for portraits or medium to short distance it is ok to me. I will avoid using it for infinite shot and the problem is solved.

 

This is not a comprimise you should be willing to accept on a 3K lens IMHO. I have the same problem with a 75 Cron Asph. Sent it to Leica and it came back uncorrected. So back it went. Keeping my fingers crossed they get it right this time.

[wizard]

... is not perfectly alligned when focus is on infinite. It is a recent lens with code. When focusing on distant objects (clouds for example) they are not alligned in the patch.

 

In the infinity position, a slight lack of alignment in the rangefinder patch does not necessarily mean that the actual shot will not be in focus. Are your landscape shots, when the lens is set to infinity, soft? If not, leave everything as it is.

 

Andy

[scsambrook]

In the infinity position, a slight lack of alignment in the rangefinder patch does not necessarily mean that the actual shot will not be in focus. Are your landscape shots, when the lens is set to infinity, soft? If not, leave everything as it is.

 

Andy

 

Seems from a previous post that the image from the lens is indeed "off" at infinity. But, if by some miracle the images were okay, why on earth should he have to tolerate any discrepancy at all in such a lens. This isn't a budget-price plastic DSLR kit lens churned out by the thousands in China or Vietnam, it's sold as a state-of-the-art high precision artefact, with a price tag to match.

[Guest mc_k]

...

Besides, it must be a problem of that lens since my friend Maurizio had a black one (mine is silver) that had the same problem on his M9 and on my M8...

 

Mine is fine at infinity, but wasn't originally. As mentioned above, I wouldn't worry too much if the rangefinder is a little off. Find a large enough target a few miles away and check how sharp it is at the end of the scale, backed off a little, etc.

 

I think you have already had your camera adjusted (if you were the one with the vertical misalignment.)

[epand56]

Are your landscape shots, when the lens is set to infinity, soft? If not, leave everything as it is.

 

Andy, I will check.

 

I think you have already had your camera adjusted (if you were the one with the vertical misalignment.)

 

Yes it was me. In fact all my other lenses are Ok. I fear that sending camera and 50 Lux for adjustment will end up in troubles with all my other lenses. That would be what in Italy we call "the drug tunnel" No way out...

[menos I M6]

Andy, I will check.

 

 

 

Yes it was me. In fact all my other lenses are Ok. I fear that sending camera and 50 Lux for adjustment will end up in troubles with all my other lenses. That would be what in Italy we call "the drug tunnel" No way out...

 

This is exactly, why I would not send my body with the lens.

The only chance, to match a misaligned lens to a good standard of your other optics, is to send the lens only to Leica and hope, they get it right.

 

Sending lens and body gives the big chance of having a setup shortcut taken, where your Lux and body will match, but other potentially critical fast lenses will not.

 

I would send the lens to Solms and let them take care of the adjustment.

Ship it back and forth to the cost of Leica, if it should not match up with your other lenses and good working body, describing the deviation.

 

I am not sure, if a repair note by the customer "don't touch the body" will be safe - you know, we are all humans - Leica technicians and logistic employees no exception.

 

Your 50 Lux deserves, to be spot on.

[jaapv]

Andy, I will check.

 

 

 

Yes it was me. In fact all my other lenses are Ok. I fear that sending camera and 50 Lux for adjustment will end up in troubles with all my other lenses. That would be what in Italy we call "the drug tunnel" No way out...

Just send the lens - Leica will adjust it against a reference body anyway.

[ColdShower]

I know this is an old post but I recently experienced the same thing with a Summilux 50mm Black Chrome. I may send it to DAG to get inspected