M9 and lens calibration?

[Robinyuill]

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Hi there. I posted this enquiry in another section of the forum but got no replies so I thought I would try a more specific group.I've got my M9 and a selection of lenses that I love using but I am noticing that when using my 90mm Summicron and 135mm Tele Elmar that the focus is somewhat off occasionally. I'm aware that I'm on the limits of the rangefinder capabilities at 135mm and I use the 1.4 eye piece magnifier. I have a 75mm Summilux on trial, lucky me. I find it great at distance focus but close up I am struggling to get an image in focus at f1.4/2/2.8. I have read about focus issues with this lens but am I expecting to much from the combination? Sending the camera and lenses off to Leica would be an obvious answer but what sort of costs and time are involved? I need bi-focal glasses for reading and distance so my eyesight isn't the greatest. Any advice would be appreciated. Regards Robin.

[tobey bilek]

You really need to check with Leica repair on time and money.

 

My Summilux 75 was off focus. I believe the lens has focus shift or it needed calibration for digital. Others have had success with recalibration.

 

In my opinion the digital RF is not up to the job for long fast lenses and perfect vision is required. I would have bought a 240 if that was my goal.

75 APO is about my limit and would not use it on moving subjects.

 

My 90 Summicron from 1985 is a struggle. Someday I will try my tele elmar 135 4.0. The lens is up tp the task as I have use the optics portion on Nikons.

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[Jennifer]

I just got my Summilux 75 back after having been calibrated and coded in Wetzlar.

 

When I picked it up from Leica Mayfair they ran some tests in front of me to confirm focus when paired with my M240, and all was spot on.

 

Having taken the lens out and about briefly yesterday, I still find nailing focus when shooting close at f/1.4 is damned difficult. I've not tried using it with the EVF yet and maybe that'll turn out to be a possible solution. Perhaps, when I get round to shooting some portraits at a less demanding distance or (shock horror) stopped down a bit, I'll find it a whole lot easier. Of course, it's also possible that my old eyes just aren't up to the task?

 

However, focussing issues aside, I'd have to say that just from the couple of dozen photos I took yesterday it's apparent that if got right this lens could produce some really super portraits. Though, I've not had the opportunity to compare it with a Noctilux in any of that lens' iterations, I do now appreciate what people mean when they say that the Lux 75 renders in a manner quite unlike more modern, more clinical Leica glass.

[edwardkaraa]

First, I would stop using the magnifier. Most users, (and myself), have noticed erratic focus behavior with long lenses and the 1.4X. Shooting without magnification gets me more accuracy. I would say, if you get more than 50% in focus shots with the 90 and 135, you don't need to do anything about it. It's not a calibration issue, just RF limitation. If you really want to be sure, before you send away your gear, just do the ruler test, camera on tripod.

[thighslapper]

I would stop using the magnifier. Most users, (and myself), have noticed erratic focus behavior with long lenses and the 1.4X. Shooting without magnification gets me more accuracy.

 

I'd be interested to have the optical explanation for this odd statement .....

 

Robin ..... you need to consider several factors .....

 

Your camera RF needs to calibrated PERFECTLY to use these and similar lenses wide open.

 

With many there is focus-shift issue when wide open which is much more apparent at close distance. You may have to just learn to compensate for this.

 

Those lenses with moving elements (such as the 50/1.4 and 75/2) are a bugg*r to adjust perfectly throughout the usable focus range and in my experience are rarely perfect without further adjustment at Wetzlar.

 

Vertical RF alignment is an often overlooked problem and can cause problems achieving precise focus.

 

If you do use a magnifier please note that you may need some form of dioptre correction to get a crisp image (or get a variable dioptre one) ..... and for some of these eye placement in the eyepiece is critical.

 

If you get all of these issues right then there is no reason why your in-focus rate should be any less that with other lenses..... you just need more care as you have less leeway with regard to user error.

 

Getting focus with a Noctilux at 0.95 is a doddle compared to some of these lenses ..... you have a huge barrel and long focus throw that allows pinpoint adjustment ...... in comparison,tiny movements with the summiluxes and some of the longer Leica lenses can put you way off the focus point.

[edwardkaraa]

I'd be interested to have the optical explanation for this odd statement .....

 

 

That would be a tough request, but I would be interested to know the scientific explanation too

 

As a user who has bought the magnifier eyepiece in order to get better focus with my Sonnar 85, I realized I was getting more OOF images than without it. When I mentioned this on another Leica forum asking for advice, I was surprised to learn that all users who tried the magnifier had the same experience. Sorry that I am not an expert in optical science, so I can't give you an explanation. But I get around 9/10 focus success without it and that already exceeds my expectations.

[pgk]

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.....I am noticing that when using my 90mm Summicron and 135mm Tele Elmar that the focus is somewhat off occasionally. I'm aware that I'm on the limits of the rangefinder capabilities at 135mm and I use the 1.4 eye piece magnifier. I have a 75mm Summilux on trial, lucky me. I find it great at distance focus but close up I am struggling to get an image in focus at f1.4/2/2.8.

To check where issues lie I would suggest:

 

Tests - try shooting a series of images with all the suspect lenses and determine whether you are able to achieve accurate focus in some circumstances but not others. I usually shoot a series of images with any new lens (to me) under varying conditions (aperture, distance, etc.) to ensure that it will focus correctly and that generally focus is accurate (if occasionally it isn't on a random basis then I figure that is down to me).

 

I have had lenses which were off (a 75mm Summicron for example) and others where I found that I was not able to guarantee correct focus (135TE) so which I reluctantly disposed of.

[jaapv]

First I would get my eyes checked. For instance an unnoticed astigmatism can cause no end of problems.

 

Then, I would agree with getting rid of the magnifier for anything but a 135 (although the Tele-Elmar should be fine). It may be helpful in some cases, but mostly it does not only magnify the image, it will magnify the underlying cause as well (see above).

And there will be a loss of contrast (not too bad with the Leica one) and necessarily of brightness, which will make focusing more difficult.

 

Having said that obviously anybody feeling more comfortable using one should carry on using it, but in case of difficulties it should be the first technical factor to be taken out of the equation.

 

Anybody with normal or well corrected eyesight should be able to focus any lens up to 90 mm consistently, provided the correct dioptre is used.

 

And finally, don't despair. A photograph where you missed focus slightly might still be a great photograph.

Edited December 1, 2014 by jaapv

[sblutter]

If you have to shoot wide open, especially in the close range, I suggest you snap many shots moving your body ever so slightly in & out

 

Back at the ranch, pick the best one. A lot cheaper / faster then factory calibration.

 

That said, you may want to stop down to a more forgiving 2.8 or 4.0 - still plenty of boka in most lenses 50mm+. Perfect focus, every shot, is not the strength of a rangefinder camera (with aging eyes).

 

PS: I recently picked up a TELE-ELMAR 135mm f/4, 1965-1990 version. Is bang on wide open with aging M9. New glasses prescription only, no diopter or magnifier. Nice

 

1st time in 40 yrs shooting 135 with confidence (3rd attempt)

[Robinyuill]

Thanks for the replies. I had the lens back to the dealer and explained the problem. He checked and adjusted the lens after finding it was out on his kit. Results are now great and I'm now thinking of emptying my bank account to get the lens! I can see why people praise the way it produces images. Just going to compare it against the 90 Summicron I have as I can't justify keeping both. Thanks and regards, Robin.