Elsu Posted March 1, 2013 Share #1  Posted March 1, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I got my Summicron 35 more than a year ago. Every now and then I have been wondering if there is any focusing issue with the lens, as I dont really seem to get the perfect focusing no matter how I would try.  Looking at photos in Lightroom I have so far kind of dismissed the possible lens fault with the idea that I should not stress on pixel peeping ...  Then the week before I had a talk with an experienced dealer and did some testing on a Monochrom with his well-tuned Summarit. It was a shocking revelation. See the comparison in the images, both lenses focused on infinity at maximum aperture.  What could be the issue in technical terms? There is apparently something not quite right with my Summicron. Surely I will take it back to my country dealer and have it fixed somehow. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/199439-summicron-35-issue/?do=findComment&comment=2257579'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 1, 2013 Posted March 1, 2013 Hi Elsu, Take a look here Summicron 35 issue. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
skinnfell Posted March 1, 2013 Share #2 Â Posted March 1, 2013 I do not own an summarit but I do have the summicron 50. Suppose that the summicron 50 and summarit 50 are about equal at f2.5, then I would say there is definitely something wrong with your 35. I also have the 35 cron asph and in my experience they are about equal wide open. In fact, the difference is more visible when stopped down, (where the 50 cron is absolutely stellar). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonki-M Posted March 2, 2013 Share #3 Â Posted March 2, 2013 yes, something is probably wrong with your cron. i own a 35cron and have 35 summarit for some time. The sharpness difference is very minimal..not at the extreme you are showing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lm_user Posted March 2, 2013 Share #4 Â Posted March 2, 2013 I have a 35 summicron and a 50 summicron. I think the 35 is slightly sharper at F2 and both seem similar at 5.6. Something seems wrong with your lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lct Posted March 2, 2013 Share #5 Â Posted March 2, 2013 I have both 35/2 asph and 35/2.5 lenses. Both sharp lenses, the Summicron being the sharpest one especially on edges and corners but the Summarit is no slouch by far. Perhaps your Summicron needs some calibration. What you've shown above is not normal at all anyway. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsu Posted April 14, 2013 Author Share #6  Posted April 14, 2013 So, my Summicron 35 was sent to Solms and came back this week. The report says "optical adjustment M8/M9, adjustment of all parts, we make test pictures to check quality".  I did some testing and the results, as seen in the attached images, make me wonder more ... All these photos were taken with Monochrom. For the close focusing tests, I did many shots, at f/2 focused at the 10 inch mark, with all three lenses: Noctilux, Summicron 35 and Voigtlander 35/1.7. Seems like there is no issue with the Noctilux. Consistently the Summicron front-focuses about 1.5 cm. Interesting enough, the Voigtlander back-focuses about 1.5 cm!  For the infinity focusing test, I shot with the Summicron only, at f/2, f/2.8, f/4 and f/5.6. The image attached here is a comparison between f/2 and f/4. It is a 1:1 crop and those structures are between 1 and 1.5 km away. If the lens is focused at infinity, with such a long distance, even though f/2 is used, shouldn't those structures be as sharp as in f/4??  So, now it prompts the question, I probably should send this Summicron with the Monochrom body to Solms for calibration? And if my Noctilux focuses fine, I should instruct them not to change the setup in the body but the Summicron only? But then, if at Solms they adjust and test the lens with their standard/reference M9 and the lens passed the tests, does that mean actually that my Monochrom body needs calibration more than the Summicron??   By the way, in the comparison, it hurts to see the Voigtlander seems to give better contrast and details than the Summicron! Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/199439-summicron-35-issue/?do=findComment&comment=2298944'>More sharing options...
IWC Doppel Posted April 16, 2013 Share #7 Â Posted April 16, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) If it was me I would take my monochrome into a Leica store and try another 35mm APSH on your body and another M9. It is possible your MM is out along with your Noctilux, in which case both may benefit from a tweak. Â Given your still unhappy with the ASPH, I would be tempted to send the MM back to Solms and be prepared to send the Noctilux across following. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted April 16, 2013 Share #8 Â Posted April 16, 2013 In this case I would send the whole kit - lenses and body (ies) to Will van Manen to sort. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elsu Posted April 17, 2013 Author Share #9 Â Posted April 17, 2013 Just came back from my local Leica agent. They suggested to send both 35cron and N095 with the Monochrom back to Solms. Lets hope they all come back in perfect shape. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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