Canon 35mm f1.8 lens help!

[dreilly]

Hey all,
Just got (from an RFF member) a bargain 35mm f1.8 Canon RF lens. It wasn't focusing right, and I think it was the back helicoid that was misthreaded. I rethreaded it, and I think I got it.

My question: does this lens focus a bit closer than the 3.5ft mark on the barrel. As it is, it stops nicely at inifinity but goes about 8mm past the 3.5 mark. Is that normal on this lens?

thanks
doug

 

[Sonnar Brian]

It's been a while since I had mine, but focussing past 3.5ft sounds normal. If it stops at infinity, it sounds right. You are best to try it with just a few pictures to test the collimation. Or, try a focus test using an exposed film strip with tape over it at the film-gate.

 

[dreilly]

Thanks Brian. I have to empty my P of it's own test roll and tomorrow I'll do the tape and loupe focus test, and then run a roll through it. Looks like a nice lens otherwise, just needs a little cleaning and lubing, hopefully no adjusting!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Good Plan- Test the new body with a known good lens, then check the unkown lens. My university teachers were so right as I've learned many times about two variables, two unknowns...

 

[raid]

This is one of my favorite lenses. Use a lens hood to reduce flare.

 

[januaryman]

Hmmm... Raid likes it, I wonder why this lens gets no respect (on the internet). After seeing all the tests on the Canon 50's I settled on and finally got a 1.4 - now I'm hearing this is your favorite lens, raid? Yikes. Did I waste my money on the faster lens?

 

[payasam]

Jim, I've never read an unfavourable comment about the Canon 35/1.8; though most people hold that the 35/2 is marginally better.

 

[sanmich]

Thanks Brian. I have to empty my P of it's own test roll and tomorrow I'll do the tape and loupe focus test, and then run a roll through it. Looks like a nice lens otherwise, just needs a little cleaning and lubing, hopefully no adjusting!

If you plan to test the 35mm on the P, why don't you shoot your test on the remains of your film...
Congrats on your purchase, one great lens!

 

[dreilly]

If you plan to test the 35mm on the P, why don't you shoot your test on the remains of your film...
Congrats on your purchase, one great lens!

I think I've got it right, but I want to empty the camera, and do a test with tape and a loupe over the focal plane first. Just my way of being systematic. Anyway, at the moment I'm still working on de-greasing the oily shutter blades and then I want to lube the helicoids a wee bit, clean the internal elements of some dust/flaky flocking paint, and loosen up the aperture dial a bit. So, some work left but I'd like it as close to smooth as I can before I close it up.

 

[sanmich]

Hmmm... Raid likes it, I wonder why this lens gets no respect (on the internet). After seeing all the tests on the Canon 50's I settled on and finally got a 1.4 - now I'm hearing this is your favorite lens, raid? Yikes. Did I waste my money on the faster lens?

I think the 35 1.8 was spoken about.
but really both the 50 and the 35 are excellent lenses...

 

[VictorM.]

The 35/1.8 I once had definitely focused slightly past 3.5 feet. I think the minimum focus distance is 1 metre, which is 39.37 inches.

 

[wlewisiii]

This was the best, by far, 35mm lens I've ever owned & it's the only lens I regret getting out of LTM over. Hey, Brian! Can you shoehorn the 35/1.8 optics into a Kiev J-12 body?

<G, D & R> 😉

Seriously, once you're set it'll be a wonderful lens for you.

William

 

[januaryman]

I think the 35 1.8 was spoken about.
but really both the 50 and the 35 are excellent lenses...

D'oh! I thought this was about the 50mm.... Sorry.

 

[bjorn46]

My 35/1.8 (no 20622) focus about 6 mm passed the 3.5 ft mark, measured along the DOF scale. This is a great little lens, be happy!
Bjorn

 

[John Shriver]

LTM rangefinders normally focus to one meter. The standard and wide angle lenses normally focus that far. The longer ones usually don't, both to keep the helical size down, and for reasons of focusing accuracy and sharpness.

My 35/1.8 stops with the 3.5 foot mark at the f/2.8 mark on the DOF scale.

My 35/1.8 gives me no cause for complaint. Some prior owner used it a lot, wore the chrome off most of the focusing scale.