M8, Noctilux and focussing calibration

[Paul Hart]

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Sent my M8 and Noctilux to Solms on 10 July for coding and to have the focussing fettled. Arrived back today, sooner than expected.

 

Focussing is now absolutely spot on - not only with the Noctilux - it's more accurate with other lenses too. My 75 Summicron is even sharper than I thought...

 

So well done Leica, and if you're thinking of having it done, do it.

[Knorp]

Sent my M8 and Noctilux to Solms on 10 July for coding and to have the focussing fettled. Arrived back today, sooner than expected.

 

Focussing is now absolutely spot on - not only with the Noctilux - it's more accurate with other lenses too. My 75 Summicron is even sharper than I thought...

 

So well done Leica, and if you're thinking of having it done, do it.

 

Hi Paul, glad that Leica can get it right, good for you !

I too would like to send in my M8 (low s/n) along with my uncoded 21 Elmarit, because allthough I think I get sharp images there is still some doubt in my mind when I scrutenise my pictures. Even with focus-bracketing applied there is always some wooliness, even with the 75cron. Could be due to the fact that one sad day I witnessed my M8 hitting a concrete floor

However before I take the plunge: what do you tell Leica so you get the camera back properly fixed ?

 

Thank you

[techpan]

I also got great results after sending in my M8 and noctilux to get coded. Both came back spot on. I am very pleased with the final outcome.

[Paul Hart]

Hi Paul, glad that Leica can get it right, good for you !

I too would like to send in my M8 (low s/n) along with my uncoded 21 Elmarit, because allthough I think I get sharp images there is still some doubt in my mind when I scrutenise my pictures. Even with focus-bracketing applied there is always some wooliness, even with the 75cron. Could be due to the fact that one sad day I witnessed my M8 hitting a concrete floor

However before I take the plunge: what do you tell Leica so you get the camera back properly fixed ?

 

Thank you

 

Bart: The note sent by my dealer simply said: "Calibrate for Noctilux"

[Knorp]

Bart: The note sent by my dealer simply said: "Calibrate for Noctilux"

 

Well that certainly doesn't leave much room for misinterpretation I guess

Thanks Paul.

[Eoin]

Paul, delighted to read a good outcome to your problem. It gives me heart to read your success given mine are away in Solms for much the same problem.

[david yang]

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All mine fast lens(35/1,4 asph ,50/1.4 asph,noctilux.90aa)+ 135/3.4 apo n M8 body sent to solms for focusing adjustment two months ago it back from solms last week with great result. The lens service tag show:1 ,optical adjust for M8 2 adjust all parts,3 explose a test film.

M8 service tage:1 receiving inspection 2 electronic modification( may be for shutter's module as i niticed a very strange sound after shutter released)3 adjust range finder.4clean range finder,5 adjustment of all parts, 6 make a test picture to check quality.

 

all the lens now more easy to focuing n accurate...i 'm so happy whatever leica did it.

[therightagent]

Hi Guys,

 

Did you send directly to Solms or to NJ in US? I wonder if it makes a difference by sending it directly to Solms rather than from US or Canada.

[Paul Hart]

Hi Guys,

 

Did you send directly to Solms or to NJ in US? I wonder if it makes a difference by sending it directly to Solms rather than from US or Canada.

 

Mine went to Solms via my UK dealer. I didn't ask, but I assumed he sent it via Milton Keynes.

[erl]

I handed my M8+Noctilux over yesterday to be shipped back to Solms for serious backfocus. Initially, I was blaming myself for the errors that occured, bur even I cannot be that much wrong.

 

Both unit have already had a trip back to Solms for exactly that problem once already. Because of that, I assumed, stupidly, that the new errors must be with me. The nature of my work is frequently shooting in rapid response to a situation so it is reasonable to expect some errors, which did happen. Problem is, the errors (mine) were in focus:eek: so I assumed the gear was right because I was getting some good pics.

 

Eventually, I did the "picket fence" test, from 1 mtr to 30mtr. I also exchanged body and lens with gear supplied by my dealer. Conclusively, there is a gear problem, but which component? Some of the dealers gear showed up as improperlerly adjusted as well!

 

Bottom line: I drove direct to the Australian importer for Leica and confronted them withe situation. I didn't want to make a fuss and was very polite, but made it clear that the problem was Leicas, not mine. I had a big shoot on that night. A large slice of my annual income was being made with this camera this week. Get the picture? Well, that's exactl;y what I had to do, so help me, please.

 

Suddenly, a brand new loaner was provided so I could work, not just this week, but until my combo returns, estimated to be in November. So I have a system to work with, effectively minus my Noctilux, which is a key performer in my style. I will survive, with innovation, meanwhile, a small camera company is getting another go at fixing my outfit. That's O.K., as long as they get it right this time. Heck, even I make mistakes so I allow them the same grace. But I am demanding of my gear in terms of perfomance, so I hope the techy that works on my gear in Solms is reading this. I have started the count down. Just get it right and I will tell everyone!

[truando]

I just had all my lenses and the m8 adjusted and calibrated including 6bit upgrade, and the difference is dramatic. i don't know how i even managed to work before. they really did a great job. interestingly, my 1989 m6 that I brought along for a check as well didn't need anything done to it - it was 100% perfect. after almost 20 years of use...