I need some advice from the RF experts here. Both my Summilux lenses show a repeatable backfocus of 1 cm at MFD. I had the M9 and both lenses twice in Solms for adjustment. According to Leica a better adjustment is not possible. Can you confirm this?
Here are some examples (focus was on the middle screw, the distance between two screws is 1 cm):
Summilux 50 Asph @f/1.4, MFD:
Summilux 35 Asph FLE @f/1.4, MFD:
In addition I've also seen a significant focus shift with the 35 FLE of 2-3cm at MFD. According to Leica this is normal for this lens. Can you confirm this?
Here is an example:
Summilux 35 Asph FLE @f/2.8, MFD:
And yes, I know that theses tests are extreme situations and that in most real life images this focus error is not detectable. I just want to know, whether this is normal for the M9 and these lenses or not.
I adjusted my rangefinder myself at MFD with the 50mm Summilux, it's a very time consuming and sometimes frustrating process, mine is spot on. I do not believe that kind of precision is beyond the capabilities of Leica.
VladiD wrote:
The sharpest images I have ever had the privilege of admiring and you're so consisten too.
Thanks - the images being sharp is the height of my creative ambition
Technician wrote:
Luka, do you do bad photos (accidentally)? I can't name neither of your shots with any bad word. You have awesome talent.
Thank you, but I assure you that I produce plenty of crap - ranging from compositions that did not work out to incorrect exposures. I just try not to post those shots
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Charles, lovely landscape shots!
Steve great set! I partiularly like the first two shots
Boris, 1 cm backfocus is entirely unacceptable. My 75 Cron was backfocusing about as much and they fixed it. As for the specific lenses you mention both my 50 & 35 Lux ASPHs are dead on (mm precision) at MFD. The 35 Lux (pre-FLE) shows focus shift when stopping down, but within DOF.
This is one of the first things I tried with my 35 Lux:
Having the lenses and the camera well calibrated is critical and the back focus you've shown is unacceptable. My advice is to either very loudly complain to Leica and demand that they do a proper job or find some other camera repair shop that can calibrate it.
Boris, is the focus just consistently off, or does it move as you stop down? Since both 50 Lux ASPH and 35 Lux ASPH FLE are off by the same amount after adjustment by Leica, I would suspect your body.
Thanks Dan, Luka and Carsten. It looks like I have to contact Leica again.
Carsten, with the 50 Asph the focus is (at MFD) consistently +1 cm off, with the 35 Asph it moves from +1cm to +3cm when I stop down (due to focus shift).
The body was twice in solms, together with the 35 and a detailed description of the 1 cm backfocus.
Luka, thanks
Steve, another excellent street capture, unposed
Peter, I do like shot #2
Boris, I do feel for you! I know I have written before, but both my M9's and lenses on average have back focused as delivered, about 1.0 to 2.0 cm at f/1.4 MFD. In speaking to Wayne from Camera Clinic, head technician, he did suggest that the 1 cm out with Lux's, do need very tight tolerances. The 1 cm back focus with your 50 Lux, may well be in tolerance according to Leica's specs, but it is unacceptable!! I have now sent both M9's in and complete with lenses, to fully sync the bodies with the lenses, and all the calibrations are fully within Leica specs! The turnaround is about 3 days here. I do suggest you find an excellent Leica repair centre, that can quickly adjust your gear. Of course, they need to ensure first your M9 is in spec, and then compare it against your lens which can then be synced.
charles.K wrote:
Boris, I do feel for you! I know I have written before, but both my M9's and lenses on average have back focused as delivered, about 1.0 to 2.0 cm at f/1.4 MFD. In speaking to Wayne from Camera Clinic, head technician, he did suggest that the 1 cm out with Lux's, do need very tight tolerances. The 1 cm back focus with your 50 Lux, may well be in tolerance according to Leica's specs, but it is unacceptable!! I have now sent both M9's in and complete with lenses, to fully sync the bodies with the lenses, and all the calibrations are fully within Leica specs! The turnaround is about 3 days here. I do suggest you find an excellent Leica repair centre, that can quickly adjust your gear. Of course, they need to ensure first your M9 is in spec, and then compare it against your lens which can then be synced.
Martin – nice shot with the 28!
Charles, love those colors, I’m starting to miss my 24 lux ☺
Luka – wow! Norway looks great through ur photos!
Steve—Love the shots---1 through 4 are great, can figure out which one I like best.
Peter – Beautiful, especially like the bw conversion
Marvellous (x10) shots luka! Which size Wacom tablet did you get? I got a wireless Intuos 4 but it has since stopped working wirelessly out of a sudden (must be windoze 7 related issue).
Charles, oh my, the 24 is superb in your hands!
LL, love the colours on the 135 APO - one of the lenses i would seriously consider getting as I am partial to tele lenses.
Steve, lovely shots and composition!
corposant, i really like the look of your film shots - do you find the 50 cron having flare issues in bright conditions? I seem to get a bright central 'disc' in strong light.
Some recent shots, mostly with 35 lux v1 - something new, something old and something involving commuting.
Seekuh, thanks There is a work portrait on page 330 at MFD @ f/1.4, when I first received the lens. I will try and take a more appropriate portrait in the next day or so
I was in the same position with the 28 Cron, and back ordered 21 SEM. The 28 Cron, is a brilliant lens, probably one of Leica's best. The 24 Lux and 28 Cron render differently, so it is a very hard choice! Had the 24 Lux offer not eventuated, I would have very pleased with the 28 Cron, and backordered 21 SEM.
charles.K wrote:
Seekuh, thanks There is a work portrait on page 330 at MFD @ f/1.4, when I first received the lens. I will try and take a more appropriate portrait in the next day or so
I was in the same position with the 28 Cron, and back ordered 21 SEM. The 28 Cron, is a brilliant lens, probably one of Leica's best. The 24 Lux and 28 Cron render differently, so it is a very hard choice! Had the 24 Lux offer not eventuated, I would have very pleased with the 28 Cron, and backordered 21 SEM.
Thank you. Do you keep your Cron 28 now that you have the Lux 24?
