misbehaving summilux asph

[Scott Root]

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I'm fed up with my 35 summilux asph acting like a spirited race horse with a mind of its own. When focus is right I rave about the results, but in some critical close-up work it can be hit and miss and I feel like turning it into dog meat. My 28 summicron asph is the most dependable, predicatable, and outstanding lens I have, but not too fast. Doesn't Leica make a summilux that is a consistent performer? What about the new 50 summilux asph, or is it as tempermental as its 35 sibling?

[Paul Hart]

in some critical close-up work it can be hit and miss

 

Before you turn it into dog meat (and your dog must have impeccable taste), what's 'hit and miss' about it? The focussing? At any or all apertures?

[huwge]

Is it newly misbehaving? Only with digital or film as well? What are the characteristics of misbehaviour? Is it a new lens or second hand? Many factors can contribute to dogginess.

 

I had trouble with the transition to digital as the lens suddenly turned into a dog. After a somewhat protracted amount of Solms TLC it is now a toss up as to whether this or the always well behaved 24 are my M8 lens cap.

 

Huw

[Scott Root]

It's spot on at f1.4 and f2 at about two meters and then focus shifts on me from 2.8 to where I can't use the shots. At f4 I don't even know where it is.

[JWW]

Scott,

 

Lots of past posts listing the focus shift on certain lenses incl the 35 lux ASPH, Noctilux and others, all designed in. I have had two 35 lux ASPHs and testing both they have negligible shifts at 2.0-4.0, only visible when testing a flat object (like a sign) and at max magnification in C1. Best setup for the rangefinder would be if at 1.4 the focus is slightly toward the forward side so when it shifts back the focus will still be within or close to the DOF.

 

Of course, your lens may be very out of tolerance as has been stated by other posters in the past and may need servicing.

 

Jan

[Scott Root]

Scott,

 

Lots of past posts listing the focus shift on certain lenses incl the 35 lux ASPH, Noctilux and others, all designed in. I have had two 35 lux ASPHs and testing both they have negligible shifts at 2.0-4.0, only visible when testing a flat object (like a sign) and at max magnification in C1. Best setup for the rangefinder would be if at 1.4 the focus is slightly toward the forward side so when it shifts back the focus will still be within or close to the DOF.

 

Of course, your lens may be very out of tolerance as has been stated by other posters in the past and may need servicing.

 

Jan

 

 

You have convinced me to not give up on my 35 summilux asph and send it in for recalibration. Thanks for your feedback on my problem.