Leica MP (typ 240) focusing issue

[hernancca]

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Hi Leica users!

This is my first post and it's about an old topic that I have already seen on the forum, but I am forced to open a new thread because I am struggling in fixing it.

So this is the story:

(sorry for my English)

I recently bought a used Leica MP typ 240 and separately a used Voigtlander Color Skopar 35mm f2.5.

When I started to used them I noticed there was a focusing problem between both, the weird thing is that the patch from the viewfinder is in focus and match the lens distances at 0,7 and at infinite but when I check the Live View (and pictures) is out of focus. Measuring the sensor distance it is focusing at 0,8.

I tried to calibrate myself the camera following an old thread (Search for M9 - coincidence at infinity) with no luck.

What are your thoughts? Does the lens needs a calibration or is a sensor issue?

Thank you in advance.

Edited September 6, 2020 by hernancca

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[jaapv]

A sensor misalignment is quite unlikely and can only be corrected by Leica.
However, in this case there is a simple solution: send camera and lens to an independent reliable Leica repair service and they will  determine whether the camera or lens are out of calibration (or both) and fix the issue for you. 

[jankap]

Do you have  a lens, that works well with your camera?

[jaapv]

That is only useful if the lens is known to be 100% correct.

[carbon_dragon]

As others have stated, it could be the camera or the lens or both, but it's probably more likely to be the lens. First, if you put the MP on live view and focus the lens there, is the result sharp? If so the lens is "potentially sharp" but may have a calibration issue. If it's not sharp focused in live view, then it's the lens and it needs to be serviced. If it's sharp in live view, then focus the lens carefully in plenty of light with the rangefinder in the viewfinder and then check live view (with focusing aids) and see if it's focused properly in live view too. If it isn't (if live view says it's not in focus but the rangefinder does, the lens probably needs to be calibrated. If you just send in the lens though they'll calibrate it to their standard and if your camera is also a little off calibration you might still have a problem so you might need the camera adjusted too.

Checking the camera might be more problematic unless you know you already have lenses that you know are calibrated. That said though, the Leica digitals are usually well calibrated.

Note that focusing in the Leicas can be hard for new users. It's easy to focus and then move slightly and not get the focus correct. So everyone takes pictures that miss focus so there is that too.

[jaapv]

Note that Leica will not touch other brand lenses. You need an independent service.

[jaeger]

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borrow a good lens to test, my experience is that 90 or 75 APO are pretty accurate out of the box. 

good luck, the same issue I had took over a year to fix.

Edited September 6, 2020 by jaeger

[jaapv]

It shouldn't. When in Europe send to Will van Manen or in the USA DAG, and have it back within a few weeks in perfect calibration.

[hernancca]

Thanks guys for all the replies!

I am now more convinced that is a lens problem. Although I will send the camera to a CLA service to Camera Clinic, Melbourne to make sure everything is working fine.

I am still thinking if it's worthy to send the lens for a service or buy another one, do you have any experience in servicing Voigtlander lenses?

Thanks!!

[jaapv]

It should not be a problem to adjust the lens and certainly cheaper than buying another one - which may need adjusting as well. 

[lenspeeper]

Wen I purchased my M240, I noticed that the RF did not match the distance on the lens barrel. I showed it to the vendor who agreed and sent it to Leica N.J. It was corrected and thereafter gave no problem with any of my lenses including Leica, Zeiss and CV. 

My recommendation: Borrow a Leica M lens and see if the problem persists. If it does, send it to Leica N.J. for adjustment.

[hernancca]

On 9/6/2020 at 10:07 PM, jankap said:

Do you have  a lens, that works well with your camera?

I only have the Voigtlander I mentioned which I only tried once with the m240, so for the moment I don't have any other chance to check if it's working well or not. I guess I will have to wait for the diagnostic from the CLA'd to see...

[jaeger]

On 9/10/2020 at 4:54 PM, hernancca said:

I only have the Voigtlander I mentioned which I only tried once with the m240, so for the moment I don't have any other chance to check if it's working well or not. I guess I will have to wait for the diagnostic from the CLA'd to see...

voigtlander lenses are pretty accurate in my experience.  I would recommend you to visit a local Leica dealer and test few summilux or faster lenses shoot wide open.  if all images are out of focus then your camera has bad RF.  making sense?

Edited September 14, 2020 by jaeger