Backfocusing 50/1.4 What do i do?

[ivid]

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I bought a used 50/1.4 lux (the older version 11114) from BH back in December to be used as my only lens with M8. Being new to rangefinders i didnt notice that the lens was backfocusing when wide open (i assumed it was an operator error). now that i have other lenses, i noticed that the OOF problems are predominant to this particular lens... so i printed out a test chart and it looks like it is the lens (and not M8 or my inability to use a rangefinder).

 

I'm guessing BH will not have anything to do with this as it's well past the 14-day policy.

Do i take it to an authorized Leica store to have it fixed (can anyone recommend a repair place in NYC)? do i send it to NJ?

 

what are my options at this point...

 

thanks

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[charlesphoto99]

I just sent mine to Don Goldberg (DAG Camera repair - google it), It's a problem with these lenses that according to another member he can take care of. I think all 50 pre-asph do this on the M8. Mine backfocused by about 1-2" wide open compared to all my other lenses.

 

He gave me a rough estimate of about $85 (may be slightly more). I'm a bit concerned about how it will perform on a film body after the adjustment - we'll see.

 

Charles

[ivid]

thanks and good luck with your lens. is there a list of recommended Leica Lens repair shops? i'd like to see if there is someone on the east coast (NY area preferrably)

[sean_reid]

Don't forget, when testing charts, etc. close up and with the camera at an angle, parallax can effect the focus accuracy. I prefer to test with the camera level and objects (labels on bottles for example) located just behind and ahead of the subject focused upon.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

[carstenw]

Don't forget, when testing charts, etc. close up and with the camera at an angle, parallax can effect the focus accuracy. I prefer to test with the camera level and objects (labels on bottles for example) located just behind and ahead of the subject focused upon.

 

Cheers,

 

Sean

Turning the camera to portrait orientation should do the same thing, as long as it is aligned properly.

[charlesphoto99]

Book spines on a shelf have worked best for me - find ones with lots of contrast in the type and then lay them on top of each other at increments moving back.

 

DAG (Don Goldberg) is in the midwest and considered one of the best when it comes to custom work. He was an ex-Leica technician, and as far as I know only works on Leicas and his turna rounfd time is about half that of Leica. But of course Leica is right there across the river in NJ, so maybe that's your best choice.

[ivid]

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i actually did try it first with books on a bookshelf and that's how i realized that it was the lens... then i did a search on the net and found the test chart

 

thanks to everyone for the feedback... will call leica see what they have to say, but will probably send it to DAG