M lens on SL2.. focusing problem?

[kchae]

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Hello all,

I've heard SL is great body use M lenses for, and I've tried it today.

Sometimes it focuses well, but sometimes, on the EVF it seems it's focused, but the image is not. And not only it's not focused on where I want to be, it's not focused at all, like whole image is a bit blurry. I can't see anywhere on the image that is focused. And sometimes, I try to focus but when I turn focus ring from end to end there's no spot that it can focus. Like I feel like I should be able to turn the ring a bit more to focus, but obviously I can't do that. So I am wondering what's the problem with this.

I am using third party M-L adapter, so I was thinking maybe that's the reason? Leica's official adapter doesn't give me this type of problem? Oh the lens I'm using is 4th generation Summilux 50mm. Anybody knows anything about this issue? Thank you.

Ah and lastly, focus peaking shows up sometimes. It doesn't all the time. Do anybody know why?

Edited September 27, 2024 by kchae

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[LeicaR10]

KChae,   First, welcome to the forum.  You will find a good number of photographers who will offer their advice and experience to include myself.  Second, the SL body is great with M lenses.  But first, you need to first know when you focus the M lens the aperture must be wide open to get the correct focus.  After focus is achieved, then you stop the aperture down if desired.  If you don't focus wide open, your photographs will most likely be out of focus or at least not the plane of focus that you intended.  

The Leica M to L adapter has no electrical contacts with M lenses.  Instead the Leica adapter reads the Leica M lens codes and that helps the camera understand which M lens is used based on the 6 bit code on the rear of the M lens.  If your M lenses are not coded, you can manually set the lens code in the camera menu.  Just remember you need to change the menu if you change M lenses.  

Last, third party adapters might not or cannot read the 6 bit code on the M lenses.  It has nothing to do with focus of the lens.  As to the focus peaking with the SL camera, there are pros and cons for using focus peaking.  When using wide angle lenses, peaking will often show everything in focus.  Sometimes if shooting a telephoto M lens and wide open, focus peaking maybe minimal.  Plus, the camera MUST be able to detect contrast to enable focus peaking to work.  If you want a focus tip, I suggest you NOT use focus peaking at all.  Instead, use the magnifying function to focus at wide open aperture, then stop down.  You will achieve far better focus results using this technique than focus peaking.  

r/ Mark

Edited September 27, 2024 by LeicaR10

[frame-it]

50 minutes ago, LeicaR10 said:

when you focus the M lens the aperture must be wide open to get the correct focus.  After focus is achieved, then you stop the aperture down if desired.  If you don't focus wide open, your photographs will most likely be out of focus or at least not the plane of focus that you intended.  

never had any problems focusing wide open OR stopped down, so don't know where this comment is coming from

51 minutes ago, LeicaR10 said:

third party adapters might not or cannot read the 6 bit code on the M lenses.  It has nothing to do with focus of the lens

a lousy 3rd party adapter may not give infinity focus

52 minutes ago, LeicaR10 said:

 If you want a focus tip, I suggest you NOT use focus peaking at all.  Instead, use the magnifying function to focus at wide open aperture, then stop down.

its easier and faster to keep peaking ON, focus in the general area/range, magnify and then fine tune

[frame-it]

1 hour ago, kchae said:

I try to focus but when I turn focus ring from end to end there's no spot that it can focus. Like I feel like I should be able to turn the ring a bit more to focus,

sounds like infinity focus is not available with that adapter

also, try the lens on another camera to rule out any issue with that lens

Edited September 27, 2024 by frame-it

[Biotar]

What kind of adapter do you use? I use a macro adapter and if it is slightly extended, there is of course normally no sharp image.

[kchae]

1 hour ago, LeicaR10 said:

KChae,   First, welcome to the forum.  You will find a good number of photographers who will offer their advice and experience to include myself.  Second, the SL body is great with M lenses.  But first, you need to first know when you focus the M lens the aperture must be wide open to get the correct focus.  After focus is achieved, then you stop the aperture down if desired.  If you don't focus wide open, your photographs will most likely be out of focus or at least not the plane of focus that you intended.  

The Leica M to L adapter has no electrical contacts with M lenses.  Instead the Leica adapter reads the Leica M lens codes and that helps the camera understand which M lens is used based on the 6 bit code on the rear of the M lens.  If your M lenses are not coded, you can manually set the lens code in the camera menu.  Just remember you need to change the menu if you change M lenses.  

Last, third party adapters might not or cannot read the 6 bit code on the M lenses.  It has nothing to do with focus of the lens.  As to the focus peaking with the SL camera, there are pros and cons for using focus peaking.  When using wide angle lenses, peaking will often show everything in focus.  Sometimes if shooting a telephoto M lens and wide open, focus peaking maybe minimal.  Plus, the camera MUST be able to detect contrast to enable focus peaking to work.  If you want a focus tip, I suggest you NOT use focus peaking at all.  Instead, use the magnifying function to focus at wide open aperture, then stop down.  You will achieve far better focus results using this technique than focus peaking.  

r/ Mark

 

Thanks LeicaR10. I've used M system for years, and this lens for years. So I know what it does on M system. It's just that it's first time for me to use it on SL body, with EVF to focus, and for some reason I'm not getting what I think I should be getting as a result.. As if what I see on EVF doesn't match the shot I take. Not all the time, but sometimes, in certain situations...so I was wondering if it has anything to do with the adapter.

[kchae]

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55 minutes ago, frame-it said:

sounds like infinity focus is not available with that adapter

also, try the lens on another camera to rule out any issue with that lens

Ah infinity focus.. maybe that is the problem. I mean I used to use this lens on M bodies for a long time.. It's an old lens so I was thinking maybe that also has to do with it I don't know. It's my first time using EVF to focus M lens, and for some reason I'm out of focus on certain situations, when I feel like it should be in focus. I am wondering if the Leica adapter will solve this issue...

[frame-it]

2 minutes ago, kchae said:

Ah infinity focus.. maybe that is the problem. I mean I used to use this lens on M bodies for a long time.. It's an old lens so I was thinking maybe that also has to do with it I don't know. It's my first time using EVF to focus M lens, and for some reason I'm out of focus on certain situations, when I feel like it should be in focus. I am wondering if the Leica adapter will solve this issue...

just go to chungmoro and try it out

[Jean-Michel]

kchae: what you see in the viewfinder or screen is exactly what is recorded by the sensor, there is and cannot be a difference.

You blurriness, is it misfocus or is it subject or camera motion? To ensure the IBIS, you must tell the camera what lens, or at least focal length, is attached.

Focussing with the lens stopped down works, but you re seeing, and recording, whatever DOF is present, so the exact focus point you wish to focus on may or may not be the one that is incorrect focus. Focussing wide-open and closing down the lens afterwards will ensure that you focus on the plane you want, but by the time you close down the aperture the wanted moment may have passed. Think of any SLR or dSLR: you focus with the lens wide-open and when you press the shutter button the lens closes down and the exposure is made.

To help with focussing, you can always dedicate one of the function buttons to magnify the image.

I have no idea of the quality or non-quality of non-Leica adapters; I have the Leica one and am happy with it.

[LeicaR10]

KChae,  I sent you a personal message and you can read my comments there rather than derail your thread.  r/ Mark