Summicron 35mm V.4 Close Focus Problem

[JasonPaulRoberts]

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I recently purchased a Summicron 35mm v.4 and noticed that focus closer than 1m (wide open) was way off. I sent the lens to Leica to be repaired, but when I got it back I noticed the focus is still off below 0.8m (wide open). None of my other lenses have this issue, so I know it's not my M8.

 

Is this typical for this lens? Wondering if I should send it back or live with a min focus distance of 0.8m instead of 0.7m.

 

Thanks!

[a.noctilux]

Hello,

How do you "test" that problem ?

 

I do use some Summicron-M 35 v IV and I notice that there is strong field curvature at close distance and full open.

Last week, with M9 + Cron IV, I had this "curvature trouble", but I saw it and use F:4 instead. The plane subject was about 1m and the corners are out of focus.

 

The later Asph. version is more reliable with flat objects.

 

Regards,

 

Arnaud

[JasonPaulRoberts]

Hello,

How do you "test" that problem ?

Thanks for your reply! As far as how I "tested" the minimum focus, I put a flat object against a wall, set my lens distance to 0.7m and moved close to the object until it was in focus within the viewfinder. Not technical I know, but I'm not a technical guy.

 

Every shot below 0.8m is out of focus. Everything above 0.8m is spot on.

[bocaburger]

Your method may not be scientific, but it is practical. It's how one would normally use the lens, and it should work. And the fact it is improved after returning from Leica proves there was something amiss. You might try it using a tripod, just to rule out the variable of inadvertent (and sometimes unnoticed) body sway, but that's about it. My 35mm v.4 focuses dead-nuts on at minimum wide open. Do you have other lenses and how are they? (Just to rule out a rangefinder misadjustment which could be exacerbating the problem).

 

I assume you paid Leica to fix it, so I would send it back. I can also suggest for the future to send it to DAG. He has been especially good at readjusting lenses for the decreased tolerance of digital sensors.

[JasonPaulRoberts]

Yes, I used a tripod for the tests. As far as other lenses, my 50mm Summicron and my 35mm Skopar both focus perfectly at their min distances. Even my Canon 50mm f1.2 focuses spot-on at it's min distance while wide open.

 

I will probably send it back since I already paid. My concern is, can anything be done or is this a problem inherent with this version of the 35mm cron?

 

Thanks!

[JasonPaulRoberts]

Well, I sent the lens back to Leica and they called to let me know that the lens is "perfect" the way it is. They said the some of the wider lenses are a little out of focus at the minimum focus distance when used with the new digital Leicas.

 

Not feeling to good about this. Especially since all my other lenses (including my Voigtlander Skopar 35mm) focus fine at the minimum focus distance on my M8.

[jaapv]

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Well, it is an old lens, not designed for digital use. It is probably fine on film.

[ho_co]

Digital is a lot more demanding than film. We couldn't know that till we started shooting digital!

 

Thanks for letting us know, Jason!

 

At least they didn't charge you for checking it!

[Dan States]

The v4 has a fair degree of focus shift when stopping down. If the lens is optimized for smaller than full aperture focus this could occur. You also could have a misground focus cam on the lens. Mine focusd fine at full aperture but shifted notably when stopped down. I sent it to leica and was told that's just the way it is.

 

Best wishes

Dan

[JasonPaulRoberts]

At least they didn't charge you for checking it!

 

They actually sent me a check for the shipping cost to send it back!

[ho_co]

They actually sent me a check for the shipping cost to send it back!

 

WOW! That's Service!

[lct]

I recently purchased a Summicron 35mm v.4 and noticed that focus closer than 1m (wide open) was way off...

Where did you have this focus problem and at which apertures?

My 35/2 IV is spot on from f/2 to f/5.6 in the center at 0.7 m (Epson R-D1).

Not the same in the angles of course but this is a well known issue.

[JasonPaulRoberts]

Where did you have this focus problem and at which apertures?

 

In the center at f2. And the focus shift is extreme. When I get the lens back I'll post some samples.

[lct]

Focus shift does not appear at full aperture normally. Sounds like your lens has a problem i'm afraid.