Jimbo035
James M Turner
Negatives of the second film put through my allegedly "fully working, Exc+ six months guaranteed" bewitching :roll eyes: Canon 7 reveal that all the frames taken with the similarly described freshly serviced Canon 50mm f1.2 are unfocused, and the remainder - with a similar quality (but not recently serviced) Canon 135mm f3.5 are in focus. As I have been a keen amateur for 50 years, used RF and a SLR Leicas, SLR Nikons, etc with moderate to great success, this anomaly has completely baffled me. The only cause I can imagine is that the rangefinder actuating arm and or its roller are out of line.. though not by enough when the cam of the 135 comes by. And before any one asks, yes I turn the 135's distance scale to 1m before I put the lens on.
ps All the Negatives from the first film (all taken with the 50mm lens) are out of focus, which is why I tried another film just after the 135lens was bought.
ps All the Negatives from the first film (all taken with the 50mm lens) are out of focus, which is why I tried another film just after the 135lens was bought.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
Could it be that the 50mm f1.2 lens was disassembled for cleaning and lubing the helical and put together incorrectly?
steverett
Anthopomorphized Camera
I would check the focus with a measuring tape and ground glass (you can use a piece of glass with translucent scotch tape on one side). That will tell you if it is the rangefinder or the lens. But if you can focus the 135 fine then it sounds like the lens.
Easiest thing to do first is to check for RF alignment with the lens at infinity and at 1 meter, using a tape measure. Check with both lenses, that the distance markings on the lens match with the RF.
Easiest thing to do first is to check for RF alignment with the lens at infinity and at 1 meter, using a tape measure. Check with both lenses, that the distance markings on the lens match with the RF.
B-9
Devin Bro
Send the lens back if you can, it has been reassembled wrong.
See Johan's article here if you would like to try exploring the issue.
http://www.johanniels.com/index.php...anon-diy-cleaning-a-1-2-50mm-rangefinder-lens
There really is not a whole lot you could bugger up, ive been inside a handful of these lenses, and have never had an issue myself.
See Johan's article here if you would like to try exploring the issue.
http://www.johanniels.com/index.php...anon-diy-cleaning-a-1-2-50mm-rangefinder-lens
There really is not a whole lot you could bugger up, ive been inside a handful of these lenses, and have never had an issue myself.
Mackinaw
Think Different
It is possible to assemble the Canon 50/1.2 incorrectly. I did so myself many years back while cleaning off some internal haze. It was an element behind the aperture blade. I took apart the lens, turned around the one element, and all was well.
Jim B.
Jim B.
B-9
Devin Bro
It actually went back together smooth with the group flipped?
Jim, you may have solved the OP's rittle!
Jim, you may have solved the OP's rittle!
Jimbo035
James M Turner
The thought that it may have been reassembled incorrectly by this particular Repair Company, popular and regularly recommended, is difficult to contemplate but certainly cannot be ruled out . I have just sent it back to them at the Vendor's request with the camera - which did not accompany it the first time around, expecting - in this circumstance - the work to be done within 7 working days rather than the 4 weeks which they have predicted.
Last edited:
Mackinaw
Think Different
This was easily ten years ago. My memory is that the element went in smoothly, but, once reassembled, the aperture ring moved somewhat roughly when I turned it (which baffled me). After seeing the soft pics, I finally realized that I had goofed something up. I took apart the lens and turned around the one element, and that was that.
Jim B.
Jimbo035
James M Turner
The repairers have concluded that the problem lies wth the front element of this particular lens, which to my untrained eye looks o.k., i.e. bright and and clear (no haze, scratches or fungus).. Another Canon 50/1.2 lens is to be "cannibalised" for its front element - to replace the first lens' 'faulty' one and thereby solve the problem. Perhaps someone hereabouts will explain how this part of a lens could cause a focussing anomaly such as this ?
Last edited:
Mackinaw
Think Different
I can’t. Only thing I can think of is that the front element is not properly positioned which would cause the focusing problem. But I don’t see how installing a “new” front element who’d solve this problem, why not just reposition the old one? But I’m not a repairman.
Who’s doing the work?
Jim B.
Jimbo035
James M Turner
The work is being done by Newton Ellis & Company, of Liverpool (here in England) Established around 1948, regularly recommended. Google or go direct to www.newtonellis.com if you like .
Kevcaster
Well-known
Hi Jimbo.
I would be very surprised if Canon had let a lens go out the door with a front element that was not perfectly formed! I think Mackinaw's experience is far more likely and would look at that and the seating of elements before cannibalising another lens for it's element.
I have only experience servicing a Canon F1.8 and that may be different but found that the components can only fit properly in one orientation, the workmanship is first class and the design of all the workings faultless.
I favour a faulty re-assembly on this one and would press Newton Ellis to look again - good as they are.
Kevin
I would be very surprised if Canon had let a lens go out the door with a front element that was not perfectly formed! I think Mackinaw's experience is far more likely and would look at that and the seating of elements before cannibalising another lens for it's element.
I have only experience servicing a Canon F1.8 and that may be different but found that the components can only fit properly in one orientation, the workmanship is first class and the design of all the workings faultless.
I favour a faulty re-assembly on this one and would press Newton Ellis to look again - good as they are.
Kevin
Fixcinater
Never enough smoky peat
I've pulled my 50/1.2 (two of them, actually, one being sold on now) down to parts or nearly there a couple of times now.
I'd wager they didn't get something seated correctly or they flipped an element, although I don't know how an experienced repairman could flip it and not notice. The front element story seems quite odd.
Pretty easy to hold the lens a short distance away from your hand (depth of the camera body) and see if it's even close to correct. Easier and faster than running film through.
I'd wager they didn't get something seated correctly or they flipped an element, although I don't know how an experienced repairman could flip it and not notice. The front element story seems quite odd.
Pretty easy to hold the lens a short distance away from your hand (depth of the camera body) and see if it's even close to correct. Easier and faster than running film through.