nicks500 Posted March 21, 2013 Share #1 Â Posted March 21, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) ok now I am really sorry about this if I am going over old ground but I have had my MM for a few weeks now and I love my 50 and 35 lux's(latest versions) but I would love to try some older glass in the other focal lengths but I am concerned about certain (back) focussing issues?. reading this threads there seems to be a wide range of lens to get but possibly the shorter list is what lens should I stay clear of? thank you for counting to 10 and deep breaths before answering Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 21, 2013 Posted March 21, 2013 Hi nicks500, Take a look here lenses I shouldnt use on my MM. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
250swb Posted March 21, 2013 Share #2 Â Posted March 21, 2013 Those specifically mentioned in the manual can't be used, although the 90mm Elmar can be used if you fix the barrel in the extended position. Of the other collapsible lenses all can be used except the DR Summicron. Â Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicks500 Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share #3 Â Posted March 21, 2013 Hi thanks I know those lenses, its the lenses with possible focusing issues on the modern bodies Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 21, 2013 Share #4 Â Posted March 21, 2013 Most lenses would show some degree of focus shift: it's inherent to lens design (and manufacturing processes/tolerances), but often so small that you wouldn't notice it, even on a modern digital sensor. That said, some designs/lenses are indeed more prone to focus shift than others - and copies of the same lens may behave differently in this regard. As a general rule, the slower the lens and the wider you go, the less focus shift is likely to be an issue in practical use, even if it's present. FWIW, I wouldn't lose sleep over focus shift: if you use a lens regularly, you learn to compensate pretty quickly. Do you have any particular lenses (Leica or not, new or old) in mind, so that the helpful folks on this forum can provide some feedback? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicks500 Posted March 21, 2013 Author Share #5  Posted March 21, 2013 That's exactly what I needed to know thank you. Let the fun begin  No real idea what focal lengths but now I can check out the 'older glass' posts and not worry too much about jumping in the deep end. I have had autofocus dslr's for a long time I forgot what fun manual focusing is Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted March 21, 2013 Share #6 Â Posted March 21, 2013 Nicks500, it is not just focus shifting that can cause problems. All lenses produced before digital M-bodies were made were set up for use with film bodies. Focusing tolerances were not so tight in those days because of the nature of the recording medium. In contrast, the sensor in digital cameras lacks that wider tolerance. It is not uncommon for discerning owners to send pre-digital lenses back to Leica for recalibration, and 6-bit coding if available, for use on digital cameras. Once recalibrated, most potential problems disappear. Only a few lenses suffer from a worrying degree of focus shifting, mainly very fast lenses of early manufacture. A search will yield examples of arisings and cures. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbl Posted March 21, 2013 Share #7 Â Posted March 21, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) I have a 35mm LTM f/3.5 from the 1950's that I got with a IIIf years ago. It's fun to put on the MM. The higher ISO makes it usable indoors even. Â Have fun! Â -jbl Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted March 21, 2013 Share #8 Â Posted March 21, 2013 Let the fun begin That's the right attitude. If it can be of some reassurance, you sometimes have good surprises. One of the latest additions to my arsenal is a 1948 collapsible 50/3.5 FED (Russian) lens. I was expecting it to be somewhat...let's say, challenging - but I had snapped it for only 30$ on Fleabay and could live with the potential loss. It turns out that focus is spot on at all apertures - to my eyes at least - and that the images it produces are very pleasant if you like that kind of vintage look. Finding a suitable hood was a different story, but I'll spare you the details. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted March 22, 2013 Share #9 Â Posted March 22, 2013 Nicks500, it is not just focus shifting that can cause problems. All lenses produced before digital M-bodies were made were set up for use with film bodies. Focusing tolerances were not so tight in those days because of the nature of the recording medium. In contrast, the sensor in digital cameras lacks that wider tolerance. It is not uncommon for discerning owners to send pre-digital lenses back to Leica for recalibration, and 6-bit coding if available, for use on digital cameras. Once recalibrated, most potential problems disappear. Only a few lenses suffer from a worrying degree of focus shifting, mainly very fast lenses of early manufacture. A search will yield examples of arisings and cures. Â Good answer, but I take exception to one point. R lenses (which I have used on my MM with success) were "produced before digital M-bodies..." Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.