What's Wrong With 50mm Summicron DR Close Focus?

[Spiritualized67]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I think I may have a close focus issue with my newly acquired 1969 version 50mm Summicron DR (purchased along with a Leica M4).

 

From about six feet to infinity, the lens appears to focus perfectly. The rangefinder images line up like they should – and I can see sharpness (with the help of my new diopter).

 

But between six feet and the minimum normal close focus distance of about 1 meter (without the DR goggles on), often I will rotate the focus ring to line up the rangefinder images, but the images don’t move (although the focus ring can continue to move until it reaches the hard stop). It can almost be described as the focus slipping (like gears slipping and the focus not catching).

 

I can sometimes coax the lens into focusing closer by racking it back to infinity then returning back to the close focus end – in which case, I can sometimes get the images to line up and move. But even when I do this, the closest I can ever seem to focus is about 4 feet.

 

From all indications, the DR close focus (using the goggles) appears to work as it should – it’s just the closer end of the normal focus range (3.4’ to about 5 or 6 feet).

 

What is the issue in your estimation? I’ve read things here and there about something called a cam, but not sure what that is or if this is the potential issue?

 

I assume a CLA could probably take care of this. I go on a trip this Friday, so I guess I’ll have to live without focusing between about 3.4’ to 6’ – although it’s frustrating. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Dan

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[egrossman]

Hello Dan

 

What camera body are you using? The DR isn't compatible with the digital Leica's. The lens' cam get's in the way of the camera's internal baffle.

 

You would need to grind down the cam which would loose the macro focusing ability of that lens and defeat the whole purpose of the DR.

 

Erik

[Spiritualized67]

Hi Erik,

 

I'm shooting with a M4. My issue isn't with the DR attached (which appears to work fine), but the close focus end of the normal range, below about six feet.

 

~Dan

[jaapv]

I would send it in to one of the reputed Leica repairers for a decent CLA.

[Spiritualized67]

Yes - am going to have to do this - good suggestion!

 

The guy I purchased it from (on eBay) indicated that the M4 was CLA'd in June of this year - and the Summicron last year. I guess the close focus issue was not observed then. Of course, they were CLA'd separately, so I don't know whether that would matter.

 

It's a beautiful set and I can live without the close focus for now.

 

~Dan

[robsteve]

You may want to check with the experts, but the newer bodies need the rangefinder set to work with the DR Summicron. There is an adjustment for the range of throw for the rangefinder and newer bodies were not setup with as large of a range. This may include the M4. I don't have a M here, but it may be a simple as the little stopper tab on the rangefinder arm. If it was recently Cla'd by a reputable shop, they should be able to set it up for you.

[Spiritualized67]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Thank you. Good suggestion Robsteve. I did reach out to the buyer to see if we can get it back to Youxin Ye, who did the original CLA on the camera this past June, and a CLA on the lens last year.

 

Not sure if his work is warranted, but I'm surprised the close focus issue didn't come up then. But just as I had mentioned in an earlier response, the lens and camera were CLA'd separately, so any issue with a short arm wouldn't be observed (assuming the M4 has a shorter arm as you suggest). It's worth asking.

 

~Dan

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Dan,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

A lot of M4's were originally sold together with 50mm Dual Range Summicrons in the late 1960's when the M4 first came out. Your combination was designed to work together.

 

Your lens & camera should both work & they should both work together properly all the way to 50cm.

 

Keep in mind: Many M4's & many 50mm Dual Range Summicrons are still working fine after 40 or more years of usage without ever having needed to be serviced.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[Spiritualized67]

Hi Michael,

 

Youxin Ye has kindly agreed to look at it - and thinks it just needs a simple adjustment to the M4 focusing cam.

 

As a 1967 baby myself, I can attest to the fact that anything over 40 years of age needs a tune up every now and then.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome and comment.

 

~Dan