Infinity Focusing/rangefinder accuracy (merged)

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I have to politely disagree that the LCD is not useful for determining sharpness. A shot of a dark narrow-line target against a lighter, solid background, zoomed to its fullest, will indicate sharpness quite starkly. Even minutely OOF the line will quickly lose contrast, and slightly more OOF there will be peripheral fringing. I used the LCD to adjust my rangefinder, black text on white background for close-up, and a far-away TV broadcast tower for the infinity adjustment. Re-check on the computer verified the results obtained from the LCD. I have to admit I was surprised, I didn't expect the LCD-based adjustment to hold up on the monitor, but it did.

 

As to the OP, right now all I would do is find those fine-line targets and check close and far with each lens. Make sure to support the camera mechanically, because even minute body movement will throw your results off. Take multiple shots, do not rely on one fuzzy shot as proof of a problem. If you do find consistent focus issues, note how far apart the rangefinder images need to be to get a sharp shot. Then when you're shooting a critical subject where DOF won't cover, you focus first by coinciding the images and then separating them by the predetermined amount. Then when you get home you can deal with figuring out what needs to be done to put everything right.

 

Some M9s, maybe even most, come from the factory perfectly aligned. Some people happen to have an assortment of lenses which by luck happen to have been assembled close to optimally within the tolerance window. Those people will have no issue with the M9 and focus. Others aren't so lucky. Mine's rangefinder was woefully misaligned from the factory. Luckily, the vast majority of my lenses were well adjusted, and once I realigned the rangefinder I only needed to have one lens professionally redone.

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Luckily, the vast majority of my lenses were well adjusted, and once I realigned the rangefinder I only needed to have one lens professionally redone.

 

If you reside in the US, I would very much like to know who does professional lens (or RF for that matter) realignments. Thanks.

[jaapv]

I have to politely disagree that the LCD is not useful for determining sharpness. A shot of a dark narrow-line target against a lighter, solid background, zoomed to its fullest, will indicate sharpness quite starkly. Even minutely OOF the line will quickly lose contrast, and slightly more OOF there will be peripheral fringing. I used the LCD to adjust my rangefinder, black text on white background for close-up, and a far-away TV broadcast tower for the infinity adjustment. Re-check on the computer verified the results obtained from the LCD. I have to admit I was surprised, I didn't expect the LCD-based adjustment to hold up on the monitor, but it did.

 

As to the OP, right now all I would do is find those fine-line targets and check close and far with each lens. Make sure to support the camera mechanically, because even minute body movement will throw your results off. Take multiple shots, do not rely on one fuzzy shot as proof of a problem. If you do find consistent focus issues, note how far apart the rangefinder images need to be to get a sharp shot. Then when you're shooting a critical subject where DOF won't cover, you focus first by coinciding the images and then separating them by the predetermined amount. Then when you get home you can deal with figuring out what needs to be done to put everything right.

 

Some M9s, maybe even most, come from the factory perfectly aligned. Some people happen to have an assortment of lenses which by luck happen to have been assembled close to optimally within the tolerance window. Those people will have no issue with the M9 and focus. Others aren't so lucky. Mine's rangefinder was woefully misaligned from the factory. Luckily, the vast majority of my lenses were well adjusted, and once I realigned the rangefinder I only needed to have one lens professionally redone.

 

Well, yes, as a gauge with some practice it can suffice to separate focussed areas. But don't expect to judge the overall sharpness of the image on it and certainly not the noise performance. I still think Leica did itself a disservice by using this screen.

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Well, yes, as a gauge with some practice it can suffice to separate focussed areas. But don't expect to judge the overall sharpness of the image on it and certainly not the noise performance. I still think Leica did itself a disservice by using this screen.

 

Agreed, but maybe Leica felt a super HQ LCD wouldn't have enough bang for the buck on a camera with an optomechanical rangefinder/viewfinder and no live-view option. Heck Leica said cost was the reason they backpedaled on the sapphire cover.

 

If you reside in the US, I would very much like to know who does professional lens (or RF for that matter) realignments. Thanks.

 

DAG is who I use. Of course there's also Leica in Allendale NJ.

[Guest]

. Heck Leica said cost was the reason they backpedaled on the sapphire cover.

 

 

I would be suprised if its cost, I am only guessing but I heard a Lieca M9 is only insured for 850€ when its returned by post from the factory after a repair. Massive lump of profit for Leica on every M9 then? (I bet they simply cant supply the glass in the quantity they need)