Focus adjustment on LENS

[ralphh]

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Hi all, quick question;

 

i have a 240 and 2 brand new lenses. The range finder is perfect on both. I also have a second hand 90mm f4 macro, and the ranger finder goes past infinity a little with this lens. Given the two new lenses are fine I assume my range finder does not need adjustment. Never done a Leica, but I have adjusted a Fuji range finder so I know what's broadly involved in a rangefinder adjustment - really just turning some screws at the end of the day. 

 

An adjustment on the lens I'm less sure about. I presume it's possible to adjust them? Is it something I could try at home by turning a screw or is it a matter or changing / sanding down a shim inside the lens, or similar job that really needs a specialist?

 

Thanks!

 

I did do a search, but I didn't find the answer. 

Edited July 3, 2016 by ralphh

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[pico]

It is best to first test the 90mm at infinity. Some lenses are intentionally designed to do that.  Test again as a macro. Test, and possibly be happy.

Edited July 3, 2016 by pico

[Jeff S]

The good news is that the M240 can be used with live view, so you see exactly what the sensor sees.  Do some careful tripod tests.

 

Jeff

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Ralphh,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

The Moon makes a good "Infinity".

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

[ralphh]

I'll test with the moon, but I tried it on something about a mile away, and if the 90 is right then the two other lenses I own are wrong, so I'm not keen to discover that

 

It could be that the lens actually does focus slightly past infinity, thanks pico, I hadn't thought of that at all. Perhaps it needs to do so in order to achieve the desired focal range when on the macro adapter.

 

This is doesn't seem to be affecting the images, so either it's spot on at closer distances where it really matters, or f4 is enough to cover any problems.

 

The reason for asking if this is a fix that I can do at home is that it's more of a conceptual annoyance than an actual practical problem. If I can fix it myself I may as well do so kinda think. Assuming it's not actually designed to focus past infinity. Hmm...

Edited July 3, 2016 by ralphh

[Jared]

Some lenses do, indeed, focus slightly past infinity since the focus can shift slightly with temperature. That being said, it's generally only an issue with focal lengths much greater than 90mm. I don't recall this being a characteristic of the 90mm Macro Elmar.

 

As far as adjusting the focus of your lens... I'd recommend leaving it to a professional since it does, as you suspected, involve shimming the internals of the lens. The real problem is that most people who adjust lenses will want both your camera and all your lenses, so it's not like you can just send in the lens alone. It can be very frustrating. Frankly, it's often easier when talking about a 90mm (which has a pretty narrow depth of field) to just use live view or an EVF.

 

- Jared

[ralphh]

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Thanks Jared, I shall put up with it / use live view if I start suspecting it really affects my focus. I'm all for turning screws, but I'm definitely not up for shimming anything myself - screws can be turned back! 

Edited July 4, 2016 by ralphh

[menos I M6]

A longer focal length lens (or fast normal lens) which does allow to go past the infinity alignment in the viewfinder is most often an issue.

 

With this setup it is unfortunately possible that you will misfocus at longer distances resulting in out of focus photographs of subjects in front of infinity.

 

You should do:

 

Place the M240 on a tripod and compare live view focussing of all lenses against focussing with the optical rangefinder.

 

If your other two lenses are spot on, get your Macro Elmar adjusted properly.

Do not make up with humping along with this - it will bite you every time you miss a shot, using gear that is not properly set up (but should be at such a price point).

[ralphh]

A longer focal length lens (or fast normal lens) which does allow to go past the infinity alignment in the viewfinder is most often an issue.

 

With this setup it is unfortunately possible that you will misfocus at longer distances resulting in out of focus photographs of subjects in front of infinity.

 

You should do:

 

Place the M240 on a tripod and compare live view focussing of all lenses against focussing with the optical rangefinder.

 

If your other two lenses are spot on, get your Macro Elmar adjusted properly.

Do not make up with humping along with this - it will bite you every time you miss a shot, using gear that is not properly set up (but should be at such a price point).

 

LOL, funnily enough I just did this for the 90, logged on to post the result and found your post!

 

It is off slight at all distances.  Darn.

 

How much is a recalibrate?

Edited July 4, 2016 by ralphh

[Jeff S]

 

Place the M240 on a tripod and compare live view focussing of all lenses against focussing with the optical rangefinder.

 

 

 

Exactly, as I suggested earlier.  That's one of the big benefits of the M240.

 

Jeff

[Jeff S]

LOL, funnily enough I just did this for the 90, logged on to post the result and found your post!

 

It is off slight at all distances.  Darn.

 

How much is a recalibrate?

Doesn't cost much, but Leica may want camera and other lenses anyway unless you give them assurance based on your tests.  They calibrate body separate from lenses, each against a standard, but often like to have all the gear since they'd rather not have people, who generally don't know what's going on, sending in stuff piecemeal.

 

The good news is that they have the testing equipment and knowledge to do it right.

 

Jeff

[ralphh]

I am not keen for my camera to dissapear for several months - I don't remember hearing many good things about leicas turn around times.  Very happy to be told i'm wrong.  When you say 'not much' is this leica not much or really not much?  Anyone know of anywhere / anyone in the UK that can turn it around quickly?

[Jeff S]

I actually should have written that it's often done for free....my lenses were calibrated for no charge in NJ some time ago while I had some other minor service work.  Just be nice.

 

My suggestion is to call ahead, establish a relationship with a real person, and send the gear directly to that person after he/she provides an acceptable turnaround time for your needs.  You might have to wait a bit to send it in, but better to have the gear at home as long as possible than unavailable altogether.

 

I've had great success with this approach in the US.  And my contact is available throughout the process to provide updates.  No different than scheduling my car for service.

 

Jeff

Edited July 4, 2016 by Jeff S

[ralphh]

Thanks Jeff, that's really reassuring and incredibly helpful!  I can certainly do nice

[LocalHero1953]

I had my Apo Summicron 90 recalibrated a couple of years ago: it took about 3 weeks IIRC, and costs about £300, also IIRC. They took the body as well (though it was OK with other lenses) and Leica Mayfair lent me another M body for free. But I've had other repairs/fixes which took longer, and the loaner was charged for, so my experience is not reliable.

[ralphh]

Now £300 is definitely not my definition of cheap. I will try and see where I get in terms of sweet talking them into a free calibration. 

[Jeff S]

It helps if the lens is still relatively new....probably less luck with second hand lens (unless under warranty), but might help that 2 others are new. Even better if camera is new (at least still under warranty), and sent in with lens.  Always negotiate in any case.

 

Jeff

Edited July 5, 2016 by Jeff S

[ralphh]

Bah, basically said they don't believe me as it's unusual for a 6 bit lens to be off.

 

They want to look at it before they decide what to do - a 5 hour round trip for me to take it to them, but assuming I'm not mistaken, it needs a trip to germany.  Turn around time being 4-9 weeks £300 - £400. Ugh.

 

I think I'll just buy an EVF.  Seems the easiest route at this stage.

 

Edit: Red Dot Camera say they can do it for £80 with a 2-3 week turn around. Woo!

Edited July 5, 2016 by ralphh

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[fotomas]

I also decided that the EVF is the cheapest solution. But more then the price for the calibration hurts to be without the cameras for weeks. And sometimes calibration failed and then it starts all over again.
Focussing with the EVF worked for me, but then you have all disadvantages of it. Live View needs some extra energy and it is to slow if you want to shot things that are moving. After you take a picture it feels like eternity until the EVF shows something again. Some reported that the risk of camera-freezes also rises with EVF. Haven't had this, but I don't use it so often.

It is OK if you have enough time to focus.
A calibrated lens would be better, for sure
 

[jaapv]

You are mistaken - there are plenty of competent third-party technicians who can do the job quickly and affordably.

 

 

 

 

They want to look at it before they decide what to do - a 5 hour round trip for me to take it to them, but assuming I'm not mistaken, it needs a trip to germany.  Turn around time being 4-9 weeks £300 - £400. Ugh.