Summicron 75mm - Not sharp/focus issues between f/2.0-f/8.0

[Paulus]

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Hi all,

 

I was happily shooting with and swapping between the Summicron 35mm and 75mm the last couple of days.

 

Today I came back from a photo walk and found out that all my photos taken with the 75mm Summicron were unsharp with low f-stops (between f/2.0 and f/8.0). It looks like the focus is completely off. I am shooting with a Leica M-D, that is why I only saw the issue when I was back at my PC to download the pictures.

 

Have you ever seen this behavior? What could cause a focus issue with low f-stops?

 

The suspicion I currently have is the new firmware 1.0.0.5 that I installed yesterday. That is the only change and the first time is a firmware upgrade on a leica.

 

Many thanks

 

I know six 75mm summicrons that are  off the way you described in one way or another. I know one which is great and sharp. What causes it, is not quite clear, but I think focusing at 2,0 is more difficult than 8,0 or at least more noticeable than at 11. 

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[titan3025]

I know six 75mm summicrons that are  off the way you described in one way or another. I know one which is great and sharp. What causes it, is not quite clear, but I think focusing at 2,0 is more difficult than 8,0 or at least more noticeable than at 11. 

I can rule out focusing error, since I am not new to the lens and I shot with it the days before. Also once I realized that it behaves strangely I did some test shots with near and far objects. I can consistently reproduce unsharpness.

I will have to bring it in to Leica.

[dunhoy]

I just sent mine back to Germany - I purchased it used several years ago and it has never been consistent (on M240, Mono and now M262). When I do manage to nail focus it's outstanding but my success rate (even with 1.4x magnifier) is too low. My copy was six bit coded but its serial number dates it as older than the introduction of the M8. I suspected a third party flange maybe a contributory factor so I contacted Leica to see if they had any record of it having been six bit coded by them but they haven't said it was. So, my lens has gone back to sort out the focus issue and if the flange is third party replace it!) Time will tell.