Jump to content

Focus shift on new 35/1.4 FLE


MSUSpartan

Recommended Posts

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I won't be able to improve if I tried to be precise and memorize all the chart(s) since I am a poor estimator of distance and would not know which point to use in the graph.

If it helps: The one distance where the 1/3 2/3 ‘rule’ is true is 1/3 of the hyperfocal distance for any given combination of focal length, f-stop, and CoC.

Link to post
Share on other sites

  • Replies 72
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Good grief !

 

I've been watching this thread hoping to find out about " Focus shift on new 35/1.4 FLE " as the title suggests. Sadly, no such luck. Four pages almost entirely about depth of field.

 

Does anyone have anything relevant to contribute about the differences in focus shift between the new and the old 35 lux ASPHs ....... please ?

 

It seems the new version is perhaps better, but not " perfect " - even Mr Puts, whose opinions I enjoy reading, says as much....... but how much better ?

 

I have an early 35 lux ASPH which backfocuses from f2 to about f5.6 / f8, but is spot-on at f1.4. It is a very fine lens in every way except for the focus shift which has spoiled some shots for me on the M9. I try to work around it by focussing a little in front of my critical focus point when shooting at middle apertures but it is an imperfect method.

 

I am wondering if the new version has truly improved to the stage where there is no longer any problem in practice, or not. Any sample variation ? Is it worth the upgrade ? Any other differences noticed between these two lenses ?

 

I'm wanting to know about focus shift, not depth of field and would appreciate hearing about anyone's experience in this matter.

Link to post
Share on other sites

In addition, when comparing the new to old 35 ASPH Luxes, you have to take into consideration that there was a huge sample variation in the old 35 ASPH Lux in respect of aperture shift. Some were OK, some were horrible. During a visit to Solms some years ago, I asked if they had any explanation of the variation. I showed them some test diagram prints, showing that the aperture shift of my chrome 35 ASPH Lux was perfectly acceptable. This was soon after the LFI article explaining why aperture shift was inevitable on this lens. The person showing me round the lens grinding department, commented that the positioning of the elements on this particular lens was so critical, that tiny variations which stretched their ability to adjust, measure or correct, probably accounted for the sample variation. I would guess that a large part of brief in designing the new lens would have been to make a product that could be manufactured to a more consistent standard.

 

Wilson

Link to post
Share on other sites

At #39 I already posted the figures that Erwin Puts reported from the examples that he tested.

My lens works fine. I linked to examples in that same post.

 

Good grief ! I've been watching this thread hoping to find out about " Focus shift on new 35/1.4 FLE " as the title suggests. ..........Does anyone have anything relevant to contribute about the differences in focus shift between the new and the old 35 lux ASPHs .......
Link to post
Share on other sites

As far as focus shift, the original question: My copy is fine as well. I haven't shot a meter rule with it, but in practical applications, I don't notice focus shift. I've had it since the end of last summer and have shot thousands of pictures with it. Like Geoff, no problems.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Just as a reminder, the focus/footage/meters scale on lenses is not linear. That is, the markings become more spaced apart at closer settings...

 

This difference in spacing is built in to how lenses focus in and out, and has nothing to do with DoF directly - but it does roughly coincide with the 1/3-2/3 guideline. Which allows lens makers to engrave nice symmetrical DoF scales...

 

...don't think you quite have that right. Left as an exercise: How do you get the distance spacing on an f=35mm scale? How bad an approx. is it to make the dof marks symmetrical?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks to all those who addressed the focus shift issue of the new versus older version. I do appreciate your comments and they have helped me decide.

 

I think I should wait until I can get my hands on a new version and test it myself before deciding if such an expensive upgrade is worth it. Adding in the cost of my M8 shutter failure this week - the price would be beyond me for now anyway.

 

Unfortunately the new 35/1.4 FLEs are extremely rare here in Australia - so I might have to wait a few months to be able to test one.

 

Meanwhile, the one I've got will be more than good enough for now ......... as long as I remember to compensate the focusing when needed.

 

All this got me thinking and, instead of remembering the shots where I missed the focus a bit, I revisited some of my best shots with this lens - and I saw things more clearly. When I do manage to get it right with this lens it can be breathtaking - especially wide open. It is actually rather special.

Link to post
Share on other sites

They certainly are! Mine was one of 10 (I think) that arrived last July and I believe that there have been no more landed here since (but possible in next shipment). If you want one you need to have an order in place with your dealer. I have no idea on how many are back ordered locally though..

......Unfortunately the new 35/1.4 FLEs are extremely rare here in Australia - so I might have to wait a few months to be able to test one..............
Link to post
Share on other sites

As far as focus shift, the original question: My copy is fine as well. I haven't shot a meter rule with it, but in practical applications, I don't notice focus shift. I've had it since the end of last summer and have shot thousands of pictures with it. Like Geoff, no problems.

 

I have had exactly the same experiance as yourself.

Brian

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...