daveywaugh
Blah
Just wondering if it's at all possible to have the DR altered to be able to focus to 0.7 without goggles? From my research, I am assuming it's 1m min without... just thought I'd double check ;-) Thanks.
rogerzilla
Well-known
It would be sacrilege, even it if were possible.
Do you have one without goggles, or do you find the goggles inconvenient? It the latter, it may be better to sell the lens and buy a later Summicron which does focus to 0.7m.
Do you have one without goggles, or do you find the goggles inconvenient? It the latter, it may be better to sell the lens and buy a later Summicron which does focus to 0.7m.
sparrow6224
Well-known
can you scale focus without the goggles?
ferider
Veteran
No, you need the goggles to focus closer than 1m. Otherwise the focus movement will be blocked, mechanically. When you put the goggles on, a bearing gets pushed down that enables closer focus.
If you want a lens with very similar rendition, size, etc., consider the Nikkor 50/2. That can be modified to 0.7m min. focus.
If you want a lens with very similar rendition, size, etc., consider the Nikkor 50/2. That can be modified to 0.7m min. focus.
daveywaugh
Blah
Thanks for the replies.
mikhail33
Member
It can be scales focused from .5 to .9 meters, you just have to push the bearing at .9m then it will turn.
tj01
Well-known
To use the close focus, just pull the lens and slot it over to the left. It won't focus nearer unless you mount the goggles, or 'trick' it by pressing the little ball bearing at the top. However, scale focusing it will be hard because it has to be very precise
The optics module unscrews from the mount, and you can get an adapter for a bellows.
I wonder if the module will fit in a J-8 mount. Those are cheap and easy to adapt for close focus.
I wonder if the module will fit in a J-8 mount. Those are cheap and easy to adapt for close focus.
daveywaugh
Blah
That's what I was thinking... surely there must be a way to fudge it ;-) Unfortunately I don't have the goggles, and think finding some is going to be very difficult.
Excuse my ignorance, but can't an M3 be calibrated to focus accurately to 0.7m? If so, I assumed it would be possible to focus the DR 'standard' to 0.7 without the goggles. I guess ideally I'd leave it set at 1m, and simply pull out the goggles for CU shots.
The 50 I have been using is actually a Hex 50 which I love. I was planning on getting my M3 CLA'd and adjusted to focus to 0.7 with that (currently my min focus is about 0.9). Thanks to a very kind dealer, I have the opportunity to play with a Summicron DR over the weekend and depending on results from my roll of Tri-X, am considering it...
Anyway, thanks for all the info.
venchka
Veteran
Tri-X won't show you the real character of the DR. You need slow, high resolution, fine grain film. Plus-X, Ektar 100, etc.
daveywaugh
Blah
Yes, there's a roll of Ektar waiting also ;-) Out of interest, why do you feel Tri-X won't show it's character? Are you referring specifically to sharpness perhaps? Just interested - thanks.
daveywaugh
Blah
Mmmm that's really interesting Brian - I will use the google and see what I can find... thanks.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Even if the lens could be hacked to take advantage of a few more threads of the focusing helicoid, the cam itself wouldn't allow you to focus to .7m. If you look at the back of the lens, the cam is stepped with two ranges. One for infinity-1m the other for 1m to closest focus.
Of course, with enough money, you can make it work. It's more cost effective to buy a bunch of 50mm lenses though.
I think I now have five 50mm lenses, each with a slightly different use. I'm willing to wager the cost of all five of them (3 Leicas, 1 Canon, 1 J-8) would be less than the money you'd put into the modification of a DR to extend its focusing range.
Phil Forrest
Of course, with enough money, you can make it work. It's more cost effective to buy a bunch of 50mm lenses though.
I think I now have five 50mm lenses, each with a slightly different use. I'm willing to wager the cost of all five of them (3 Leicas, 1 Canon, 1 J-8) would be less than the money you'd put into the modification of a DR to extend its focusing range.
Phil Forrest
venchka
Veteran
Kodachrome was probably the best film for this lens. The lens renders fine detail and subtle contrast that Tri-X may not capture. I'm not saying that Tri-X won't work with the DR lens. LOL! See my thread about the photo that can't exist. To see everything the lens can do, use several films.
venchka
Veteran
The Nikkor 50/1.4 LTM lens extends seamlessly to 18". You will loose RF coupling at ~1m. Use a tape measure between 1m and 18". Grinning.
daveywaugh
Blah
Ok I think I am understanding things now - these forums are great for learning ;-) I see it's a specific lens issue, and not the RF limitations necessarily. Could someone just confirm please that an M3 can be made to focus down to 0.7 if the lens allows? So my Hex 50 will work on the M3 same as my old R3A? I have seen the odd post in forums about ways to adjust the mechanism to allow it to focus to 0.7... Thanks.
rogerzilla
Well-known
Being a fast film with big grains and a thick emulsion, Tri-X won't have anything like the resolving power of the Summicron DR. Prints from Tri-X (which I love) can have very high apparent sharpness, but that's due to acutance effects in the development.
Don't get me wrong, Tri-X is suitable for most things, but if you want to count eyelashes on a full-length portrait then it isn't the right film.
Don't get me wrong, Tri-X is suitable for most things, but if you want to count eyelashes on a full-length portrait then it isn't the right film.