Back focus on new summicron 50 type 5

[Jacobjuul]

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I was originally in the market for a 35mm, I went to the Leica store to buy a 35mm 1.4 or 1.2 nokton and a zeiss biogon 2.8 or 2.

but they didn't have any of those lenses in stock, however they had a 50mm summicron (that had been a store demo model) 1000 dollars off, so I took the chance and bought it.

However, upon getting it home, I've done some tests and it seems that there is back focus issues with it. It is worst at higher apertures, but it's also visible at f2.

Should I take it back, or is this to be expected with the summicrons?

Edited December 25, 2019 by Jacobjuul

[jaapv]

No, it is not to be expected, but it can be corrected.

[jakontil]

My safari summicron suffered from back focusing too but i guess it was misaligned and fixed it at local repair man

[Jacobjuul]

Thanks guys. I guess my question is; is this the dealers responsibility to fix?

[farnz]

3 hours ago, Jacobjuul said:

Thanks guys. I guess my question is; is this the dealers responsibility to fix?

I would expect so but read the dealer's small print.  In-store demo lenses often get knocked around more than usual during their in-store life so the dealer might consider that your $1,000 discount was intended to cover any repair costs on a 'bought as seen' lens.  Dealers differ though so best of luck with your lens and dealer.

Pete.

[Ken Abrahams]

Regardless of the "demo" classification the retail shop should get it repaired. There are consumer laws protecting one against such practices, at least in Australia there are. Take it back and get them to repair or get your money back. They probably dont know that the lens is out of whack.  

[lexontario]

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The 50 V5 Cron should be sharp. When buying a Demo full factory warranty should  start when you purchase.(with my dealer)

Hopefully dealer give you the option of a full refund or repair.

[Jacobjuul]

Returned it today for a full refund.

[Guest]

This is where a relationship with a good dealer is invaluable.I buy most of my Leica gear from the Leica Store in Manchester UK. In similar circumstances they would have sent my lens back to Leica for recalibration on a ASAP basis and in the meantime loaned me a lens .Not neccesarally the exact same model as thats not always possible but something to keep me shooting.Making friends with a good dealer is always a good thing.The customer is happy and so is the dealer with repeat business.

[jankap]

Am 25.12.2019 um 22:09 schrieb jaapv:

No, it is not to be expected, but it can be corrected.

What can the cause be? It is a pure mechanical problem. If the focus is ok at f/2 or f/2.4 , the higher apertures are not critical because of the depth of focus. Could it be a problem with the lubrication (demo item of the shop)?

[jaapv]

Probably the floating elements adjustment. The tolerances are exceedingly small and it is not unknown that a lens leaves the factory with this fault. It is especially visible at short focus distances.

[pedaes]

1 hour ago, jaapv said:

 

Probably the floating elements adjustment.

 

Are there floating elements in this lens?

[jaapv]

Yes.

http://www.summilux.net/m_system/objectifs/ApoSummicronM50Asph.pdf

[UliWer]

Well, I propose we should first agree on the „names“ of the different „types“ of 50mm Summicrons:

The present version may be called the „fourth“, since it is the fourth optical design.

Very often here it is called the „fifth“ to make a difference between the earlier version with separate push-on hood and the present version with inbuilt hood. Both versions have the same optical design which was introduced in 1979. 

So when the thread opener calls it „type 5“ he may well mean this last version with inbuilt extensible hood. This lens has no floating element.

Only if he is talking about the Apo-Summicron asph. his lens has floating elements.
P.S: as he mentions the price of 1000$ he paid, it would be an extremely good bargain if it was the Apo asph - even with backfocus.

 

Edited December 27, 2019 by UliWer