Focusing M9

[DavidM9]

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I am a complete newbie to Leica, and just unwrapped my M9 after hunting high and low around the world and struck lucky. Still waiting for my Summilux 50mm lens to go with it, but able to shoot a few pictures with a friend's Voigtlander 40mm F1.4.

 

For focusing, I couldn't see the vertical lines described for "Split image" focusing method

 

Is there something wrong?

 

Also, pictures taken (indoors) were very pleasing, but colours not as rich as those taken with my NikonD3s + 24-70mm F2.8. Any comments?

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[zeitz]

David, look at a telephone pole or a door frame. When out of focus, the pole will be split at the top and bottom edges of the range finder patch compared to above and below the range finder patch. When in focus, the pole will be a straight line from above, though the patch and then below the patch. Look at the upper and lower edge of the patch. I use split image focusing frequently.

 

I assume you are using raw format and Lightroom 3. Go to Camera Calibration under development and pick Embedded instead of Adobe Standard. That will help a lot. I don't know why Adobe Standard is the default. There is a way to set Embedded as the default. There is also free Adobe software to profile your own camera and lens. You do need an X-rite color target which costs about $ 80.

 

I recommend Scott Kelby's Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 for Digital Photographers to get the most out of the software. I costs about $ 45.

 

Leica color profiles are more similar to Agfa. Japanese color profiles are more similar to Fuji Film. I always found Fuji too saturated. But it depends on one's taste in color.

[Artichoke]

is covering the second rangefinder window with a finger from your right hand

this subverts your ability to focus

[diogenis]

Choose rangefinder fascination and watch how to do it right

LEICA M9 rangefinder

[adan]

To rephrase what Zeitz said - those vertical lines are something YOU provide, in the form of your subject matter. They are not something "in" the camera or viewfinder.

 

Lots of things go into producing color character - the sensor, the way the image is processed (again as zeitz says) - even your choice of a voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 as a trial lens.

[250swb]

I just wouldn't be doing any focus testing at all with the CV 40mm f1.4.

 

It suffers really bad focus shift at different apertures so its one for experienced users. You should be OK wide open, or at f8 when DOF takes over from any lens related focus shift, but you'll just get frustrated and be disappointed with your camera if you try to take the results as representative of rangefinder focus accuracy.

 

That said, have fun until your Summilux arrives!

 

Steve

[jaapv]

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Read the M9 FAQ sticky at the top op this forum.

[DavidM9]

Thank you all for some very good advice. I tried focusing on a door and straight line objects and have successfully demonstrated this focusing method.

 

I will try out my camera outdoors tomorrow - still with the Voigtlander, but will also get to try my friend's two M-lenses: (1) 90mm F4 Leitz/Minolta Rokkor lens; (2) 90mm F2 Leica (pre-ASPH)