50mm summilux FLEII Front focussing lens. Impact of adjustment on infinity.

[Derbyshire Man]

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I've got a couple of lenses that front focus, one is the 35mm summilux pre-asph at f1.4, the other is my (6 month old) 50mm summilux FLE II. The former of these is a kludge for focus shift so I can't really mess with that but the 50mm focusses with the focal point right at the back of the focal plane, this does mean a more in focus nose on a straight on portrait but also delivers a much more out of focus distant eye for the much more common 3/4 view (I realise I can and should stop down but I'm just explaining the impact)

1. Is this typical of these lenses or should I seek adjustment?

2. I got a message back from the administrator of a lens repair company (so may have been garbled) suggesting that in correcting front focus it would make infinity focus impossible. Anyone care to talk me through that?

Thanks!

[dkmoore]

Get it adjusted. If you focus on the eyes, they should be perfectly sharp and in focus. The fall off could lay more in front of or behind the focus point, depending on adjustment. 
 

If you are focusing on the eyes and the nose is razor sharp and the eyes are not, lens needs adjustment. 
 

I would not take your lens to the repair place that told you adjusting your lens for front focus would make it impossible for infinity focus. That is a crazy comment. 
 

(i am likely not using correct terminology) 

Edited November 13, 2024 by dkmoore

[trisberg]

On 11/11/2024 at 5:42 PM, Derbyshire Man said:

the other is my (6 month old) 50mm summilux FLE II.

This lens should still be under warranty, so I would send it to Leica and have them adjust it for free. It might take some time but should be worth having a properly focusing lens. My recent experience with this is from Leica US where it took about two months.

-Thomas

[dkmoore]

Or, if you want a reasonable time, send it to DAG for about $200. 
 

$200 is worth it to get the lens back 7 weeks sooner. 

[pedaes]

10 minutes ago, dkmoore said:

send it to DAG

Not really viable from UK . We should not even have to consider paying to have a six month old lens adjusted, that was presumably sold with the problem already there. Leica need to get their act together .

[dkmoore]

54 minutes ago, pedaes said:

Not really viable from UK . We should not even have to consider paying to have a six month old lens adjusted, that was presumably sold with the problem already there. Leica need to get their act together .

If he bought new, I 100% agree. That said, while it still pisses me off, I’ve given up expecting to buy perfect Leica gear directly from Leica. 

[Steneh]

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On 11/11/2024 at 10:42 PM, Derbyshire Man said:

I've got a couple of lenses that front focus, one is the 35mm summilux pre-asph at f1.4, the other is my (6 month old) 50mm summilux FLE II. The former of these is a kludge for focus shift so I can't really mess with that but the 50mm focusses with the focal point right at the back of the focal plane, this does mean a more in focus nose on a straight on portrait but also delivers a much more out of focus distant eye for the much more common 3/4 view (I realise I can and should stop down but I'm just explaining the impact)

1. Is this typical of these lenses or should I seek adjustment?

2. I got a message back from the administrator of a lens repair company (so may have been garbled) suggesting that in correcting front focus it would make infinity focus impossible. Anyone care to talk me through that?

Thanks!

Hey did you get it fixed? I'm having exactly the same problem. If fixed how did you get it fixed in UK?

 

Thanks

[jaapv]

Fiddling with your infinity adjustment will not help if not all lenses are out with the same amount. In that case you need to have the whole system, camera and lenses, needs to be calibrated. Send everything to a Leica specialist.