Near Focusing using RF
- Thread starter Vinnievinyl
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Vinnievinyl
Member
I just did some self check with two other lenses , the amount of DOf is consistant and I have also did some self check on the cam. Solms Leicaman is probably right the sensor is out of position...
Looks like have to bite the bullet and send it in.... well at least can shoot on the NEX5.
Looks like have to bite the bullet and send it in.... well at least can shoot on the NEX5.
Vinnievinyl
Member
Well.... I was still using Film in 2001 when DSLR like d1x, 1d was available, until I had Fujifilm over cooked a few rolls for me, slide some more. Digital will at least allow immediate correction.
kentwong81
Senior Member
Hi TS, I encountered the same pain when I first touched the Leica M9 with a 50mm Summilux. However, after many times of practices and learnings, I now can capture the subjects sharp at wide open f1.4 (focus and recompose method) with smooth and creamy background.
The Leica camera and lenses are wonderful tools but they cannot be changed according to individual needs. Only we the human beings know how to tackle the difficulties by research and practise with patient.
The Leica camera and lenses are wonderful tools but they cannot be changed according to individual needs. Only we the human beings know how to tackle the difficulties by research and practise with patient.
Vinnievinyl
Member
Kentwong81,
Thanks for the advise. I only started with RF 3 weeks ago, and a spree of crazy purchases landed the noct into my hand. I only found out this problem about a week ago, I also found out from Leica Forum that a number of Leica user in USA/Canada actually adjust the cam themself to a spot on condition. I was very tempted to do it myself but hold back to see if there are other alternative, and in fact I'm shooting by compensating overlapping images now and I could get sharp pictures as well. I was about to convince muself to stick to this way of shooting until I realize the sensor in out of position, it is a different story, because near range appear to be "front focus" and far range appear to be "back focus". Since it is a new cam under warranty and Leica acknowledged this is a manufacturing defect, I do think it is better to let the cam go for a Holiday.
Thanks for your advise again.
Thanks for the advise. I only started with RF 3 weeks ago, and a spree of crazy purchases landed the noct into my hand. I only found out this problem about a week ago, I also found out from Leica Forum that a number of Leica user in USA/Canada actually adjust the cam themself to a spot on condition. I was very tempted to do it myself but hold back to see if there are other alternative, and in fact I'm shooting by compensating overlapping images now and I could get sharp pictures as well. I was about to convince muself to stick to this way of shooting until I realize the sensor in out of position, it is a different story, because near range appear to be "front focus" and far range appear to be "back focus". Since it is a new cam under warranty and Leica acknowledged this is a manufacturing defect, I do think it is better to let the cam go for a Holiday.
Thanks for your advise again.
New2digital
Member
Hi Vinnievinyl,
I too got the same problem as you are experiencing. Initially I was concern that maybe, I wasn't focusing as accurately due to my eyesight and having to focus with progressive glasses. Finally, I got myself the Walter RX and now I am quite certain that it's my camera and lens issue. I had already highlighted these issues to Leica at Solms and they too ask e to send all my lens (all 3 of them) and the camera back to them. I'll be doing this after the Chinese New Year. So it's going to be at least 6 weeks without the digital Leica. Well looks like got the go back to film again.
I too got the same problem as you are experiencing. Initially I was concern that maybe, I wasn't focusing as accurately due to my eyesight and having to focus with progressive glasses. Finally, I got myself the Walter RX and now I am quite certain that it's my camera and lens issue. I had already highlighted these issues to Leica at Solms and they too ask e to send all my lens (all 3 of them) and the camera back to them. I'll be doing this after the Chinese New Year. So it's going to be at least 6 weeks without the digital Leica. Well looks like got the go back to film again.
kentwong81
Senior Member
I see. If it is a manufacturing defect, it's nothing we can do then. For the manual focusing part, it's a pain at the beginning especially if we come from DSLR, but once we know the trick then it's very satisfying to nail a sharp image at f1.4.
Same for some of Nikon f1.4 prime lenses, which have the similar defect and need to send for repair.
Same for some of Nikon f1.4 prime lenses, which have the similar defect and need to send for repair.
i did the digital version of this test:
on the digitial test, i focused on the Caps "R"ecord. and noticed that at R it wasn't sharp
at all. the letters on my digital m was sharper on the right than on
the R or the left.
Solm said my lens was at fault and not the camera which was within specification.
2 things i learnt:
*sending lens to solm is expensive, around 500+ sgd, especially if you send in body + lens for testing.
* i tested on my film camera, and true enuff, the problem is there on film camera as well, ie. the lens was the culprit but the problem is magnified on
the digital camera, maybe it's the way we pixel peep digital images versus film.
I decided not to worry about it...and stick to mostly film cameras.
on the digitial test, i focused on the Caps "R"ecord. and noticed that at R it wasn't sharp
at all. the letters on my digital m was sharper on the right than on
the R or the left.
Solm said my lens was at fault and not the camera which was within specification.
2 things i learnt:
*sending lens to solm is expensive, around 500+ sgd, especially if you send in body + lens for testing.
* i tested on my film camera, and true enuff, the problem is there on film camera as well, ie. the lens was the culprit but the problem is magnified on
the digital camera, maybe it's the way we pixel peep digital images versus film.
I decided not to worry about it...and stick to mostly film cameras.
From your description, it seems that the two RF adjustment screws are out rather than the sensor being out of position (which is highly unlikely).
Anyway, sending the cam+lenses back to Leica for calibration seems to be the sensible thing to do. Good luck.
Bought a brand new 35mm f2 and realised that when the lens is adjusted to infinity mark, the viewfinder still shows slightly "out-of-alignment" image in the VF patch. Thought it was the new lens that was not calibrated properly.
Put back my 50lux which was perfectly calibrated to test it, and realised it is also out of alignment. Weird, as it was perfectly calibrated 1-2months ago when I bought the new set and suddenly it is out.
Did some research on the DIY tuning and the LUF website shows pictures of where to tune.... not bad at all and my 2 lenses are now perfectly calibrated again. Don't have to send back to Germany and worry about the handling and waiting time....
The tuning is just small adjustment to a screw with a Ellen Key.... no need to open any parts and seems very safe!
Thanks Anxin for the posting.
Put back my 50lux which was perfectly calibrated to test it, and realised it is also out of alignment. Weird, as it was perfectly calibrated 1-2months ago when I bought the new set and suddenly it is out.
Did some research on the DIY tuning and the LUF website shows pictures of where to tune.... not bad at all and my 2 lenses are now perfectly calibrated again. Don't have to send back to Germany and worry about the handling and waiting time....
The tuning is just small adjustment to a screw with a Ellen Key.... no need to open any parts and seems very safe!
Thanks Anxin for the posting.
artspraken
New Member
For benefit for fellow bros, RF tuning threads are here
Thread 1
M9 - coincidence at infinity - Leica User Forum
Thread2
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...ity-focusing-rangefinder-accuracy-merged.html
Thread 1
M9 - coincidence at infinity - Leica User Forum
Thread2
http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica...ity-focusing-rangefinder-accuracy-merged.html
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I don't know exactly what do you mean by "my 2 lenses are now perfectly calibrated". Are you saying by adjusting the hex slot using an Allen key and you've managed to get the two RF spots aligned at "infinity"? If so, be careful then. You have to shoot your 2 lenses wide-open at close range (say 1m) and see the focus is spot on (may or may not be the case.) If it is out or waay out, then you may get all OOF shots within ~20m. That means, more ajustments need to be done.:sweat:
Tested both infinity shots and near shots at 1m. Both are super sharp, so I guess I am quite lucky that the sudden "out-of-alignment" issue is only for the small issue of the hex slot.
I am just thinking that I have been testing quite a few lenses lately from friends (Leica, Zeiss, CV, etc) and could it be that the change of lenses and during the latching and unlatching of the lenses, could have unintentionally adjusted the hex slot gradually and thus creating the "misalignment"?
Never have this issue when I first bought the camera and the calibration was perfect with the 50lux then.
Anyway, read through the instructions and it will get a little more complicated if it is more than just infinity misalignment.
Good tips shared in this website. Now at least don't have to worry about sending the cam and lenses back to Germany as it is all OK now!
I am just thinking that I have been testing quite a few lenses lately from friends (Leica, Zeiss, CV, etc) and could it be that the change of lenses and during the latching and unlatching of the lenses, could have unintentionally adjusted the hex slot gradually and thus creating the "misalignment"?
Never have this issue when I first bought the camera and the calibration was perfect with the 50lux then.
Anyway, read through the instructions and it will get a little more complicated if it is more than just infinity misalignment.
Good tips shared in this website. Now at least don't have to worry about sending the cam and lenses back to Germany as it is all OK now!
I don't have all the metering tools but just tested 2 spots of focus yesterday - one for infinity shot after adjustment (a lot...A LOT of clockwise/anti-clockwise experiments though), and one for a 1m shot on biscuit tin (CNY delicacies). Both are sharp. Not sure about the other focal length though (2m, 3m, 5m, etc).
Guess will just keep on shooting and check regularly if I get blur shots in different focal length.
This adjustment thing has just created more fun in my Leica M now.... never thought of that during my old canon DSLR days!
Really Best Tips ever. Thanks for sharing!
Guess will just keep on shooting and check regularly if I get blur shots in different focal length.
This adjustment thing has just created more fun in my Leica M now.... never thought of that during my old canon DSLR days!
Really Best Tips ever. Thanks for sharing!
Valid point. I assumed ZoomZ also checked his lenses at closer distances and wide open. Because that's just what you do when adjusting the RF. Adjusting for infinity only is only part of the job.
Unless of course you shoot Nikon RF, which only needs to be adjusted for infinity
chrisli
Member
I have the same problem, and read through your article and the link provided but I am a bit blur on how you do it. I wonder do you have a step by step instructions. Thanks.
artspraken
New Member
All RFs are prone to inaccuracies which require adjustments over time. RF system has levers, pivots, prisms and mirrors that very easily go out of alignment.
RF can go out of alignment in situations of trauma such as vibration
RF can go out of alignment in situations of trauma such as vibration
Vinnievinyl
Member
ZoomZ, I have did some test using M9p and the sony Nex5n with adaptor. Though the test, I believe the new lenses from leica are properly calibrated and the lenses when full turned to infinity stop will back focus slightly.
Meaning, at true infinity, the lens is not at the stopper position but at slightly before the stop. I have tested using two lens at a longer focal length, both brand new, 75mmf2 apo from Alan photo and a 50mm Noct. I first mount them on the nex5, pick a subject of least 4km away, using focus assist at wide open to get the sharpest focus setting(Slightly before stopper), taped the lens to prevent it from turning. Transfer to M9 and take the shot.
On both the M9 and nex5, the images appeared shapest at focusing position slightly before hitting stopper, and slight blurrer when set at full stopper position. All my brand new lenses all behaving the same, 35, 28mm etc. So I believe your M9 before adjustment is actually correctly adjusted, But I could still be wronged. If you are happy with the Camera and pictures taken, you should keep it that way without further adjustment.
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Not all the lenses have this back focus issue. In fact, my 50mm summilux is perfectly aligned at infinity mark. You can't turn it further and it ends exactly at infinity mark.
Agree with you that some of my friend's new summilux has what you described. I guess the quality varies and I have tested 2 perfectly aligned set (one chrome which is mine and one black one belonging to a buddy) and another 2 friends of mine has the issue you described. That's why have to test a few lenses with your camera body before buying.
Agree with you that some of my friend's new summilux has what you described. I guess the quality varies and I have tested 2 perfectly aligned set (one chrome which is mine and one black one belonging to a buddy) and another 2 friends of mine has the issue you described. That's why have to test a few lenses with your camera body before buying.
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