Hyper-focus & Pre-focus for Leica Summicron 50mm f/2 M-lens?

[slim88]

Does anyone know the 'sweet spots' for 50mm Summicron M-lens so as not to lose the moment because one is busy trying to focus the lens on subject?

What would be the Hyper focus and Pre focus settings for this lens?

(I know for the Minolta TC-1, aperture settings of f/8 and M-focus of 3 meters will ensure sharpness)

Do hope the Leica pros can offer words of wisdom or enlightenment to a Leica newbie here :S

Thanks so much!

 

[Neo]

Hi Slim88,

Not sure if there's "sweet spot" for the lens... for hyperfocal we usually read off the scale on the lens, which would indicate the zone of focus.

For example, if we're using f/8 the depth-of-field scale would give us a read-out of the zone in focus by reading the distance between the f/8 marks. So if we're focusing on nearby action around 3m, a quick look at the scale will tell us (for example) that if we set it to f/8 and focus at 3m, anything in the zone of 1.5m to 5m will be in focus.

Conversely, if the distance is far away we may focus on 8m, and the focus scale may indicate that anything within 5m to infinity will be in focus. As such, there is no sweet spot, only zones of focus depending on your pre-focus area and based on your aperture.

If I understand your question correctly, the first example of the close-up action will be correct. So set it at f/8 and prefocus at 3m, your subjects will be in focus from 1.5m to 5m. If you have doubts, a quick glance at the scale will answer all your doubts. The scale is accurate, and our human estimation of distance less so, which answers your question in case the photos are not as sharp as you'd imagine.

 

[Neo]

Sorry... I think that's the distance for my 35mm lens... the 50mm should be considerably less in terms of the zone of sharpness... you'd need to check the lens to determine the zone.

 

[nsng]

Does anyone know the 'sweet spots' for 50mm Summicron M-lens so as not to lose the moment because one is busy trying to focus the lens on subject?

What would be the Hyper focus and Pre focus settings for this lens?

(I know for the Minolta TC-1, aperture settings of f/8 and M-focus of 3 meters will ensure sharpness)

Do hope the Leica pros can offer words of wisdom or enlightenment to a Leica newbie here :S

Thanks so much!

Hi,

The hyperfocal distance is the point of focus where everything from half that distance to infinity falls within the depth-of-field. Here is a link to a hyperfocal chart, http://www.dofmaster.com/charts.html

The example shows for a 50mm lens, stopped down to f16, the hyperfocal distance is 17 ft. If you were to align the infinity on the lens to the f16 mark, you will see the hyperfocal distance is about 17 ft, while the depth-of-field is about 8 ft to infinity.

N.S. Ng

http://nns555.zenfolio.com/

 

[slim88]

Thank you so much Neo & N.S. Ng for your prompt replies!
They have been most helpful!