Leica MP Vertically Misaligned at close focus (0.7m); is this normal?

[28framelines]

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To add some additional context, when I got my MP back in 2020, it came brand new in box from my Canadian Leica dealer with a misaligned rangefinder (horizontal). I got it fixed, and been happy ever since. That being said, I’ve noticed over a number of months (6 months) that it’s sometimes hard to focus on fine details at close focus. I’ve spoken to other people with Leica’s (M6’s, M10’s, etc) in my local area and they have reported that they also sometimes notice this at short distances (that the rangefinder is not vertically aligned perfectly at close focus, the patch is slightly lower). Is this just normal because of parallax? I tested this by placing the camera on a table, set the lens to 0.7m, then placed a book with text on it in the correct spot on the same table 0.7m away so I could see a letter with the bottom of the letter in the patch. The letter was clearly off by a bit. That being said, it’s not noticeable after 1m away, and perfectly aligned at infinity.

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[david strachan]

from 28framelines..

"... I tested this by placing the camera on a table, set the lens to 0.7m, then placed a book with text on it in the correct spot on the same table 0.7m away so I could see a letter with the bottom of the letter in the patch. The letter was clearly off by a bit. That being said, it’s not noticeable after 1m away, and perfectly aligned at infinity...."...

Are you measuring from the subject to the sensor plane?  Or measuring from the subject to the front of the lens?

Usually when measuring lens distances it's subject to lens plane (film plane).

...

[28framelines]

2 hours ago, david strachan said:

from 28framelines..

"... I tested this by placing the camera on a table, set the lens to 0.7m, then placed a book with text on it in the correct spot on the same table 0.7m away so I could see a letter with the bottom of the letter in the patch. The letter was clearly off by a bit. That being said, it’s not noticeable after 1m away, and perfectly aligned at infinity...."...

Are you measuring from the subject to the sensor plane?  Or measuring from the subject to the front of the lens?

Usually when measuring lens distances it's subject to lens plane (film plane).

...

I’m setting the lens to 0.7m and then moving the book with the letters until the patch lines up horizontally

[david strachan]

Still not clear what you are actually measuring  I get the placing of book so see through rangefinder at 0.7 m as shown on lens...but afterwards, the physically measured are what? From front of lens or from sensor plane.

Perhaps they are all lens marking measurements on the lens and nothing to do with real distance measurements...so I'm mixed up.

...

Edited May 4, 2023 by david strachan

[Michael Geschlecht]

1 hour ago, david strachan said:

Still not clear what you are actually measuring  I get the placing of book so see through rangefinder at 0.7 m as shown on lens...but afterwards, the physically measured are what? From front of lens or from sensor plane.

Perhaps they are all lens marking measurements on the lens and nothing to do with real distance measurements...so I'm mixed up.

...

Hello David,

With an M3 on a tripod the measurements are ACCURATE distances from the film plane to the subject measured: This is with different lenses & a measuring tape: Measuring from 3 meters/10 feet to 64 centimeters/25.2 inches: As well as in between. And photos of the Moon: On a clear nite: Photographed with the camera/lens on a tripod: Are perfectly sharp at a hard stop at Infinity with all lenses.

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited May 4, 2023 by Michael Geschlecht

[trisberg]

I think the OP is asking about the patch not being aligned vertically at close focus, not asking about the accuracy of the rangefinder so no need to measure anything.

I have had cameras where the RF patch is not aligned properly vertically, but never where it is just at close focus distance.

-Thomas