Focus issues with the 7Artisans 50 1.1

[Huss]

I just discovered something interesting. The 7Artisans 50 1.1 which is my current fave film lens - it focuses perfectly on my M240 and M7. Today I loaded up an M3 with film, and decided to use the same lens. Performing a quick infinity test, the lens focuses waaay past infinity on the M3. But focuses perfectly with the 50 Cron DR.
Out of curiosity, I put the 50 Cron Dr on the M7, and it focuses perfectly on that camera too. So, the M7 focuses perfectly with the 7Artisans and the 50 DR, while the M3 focuses perfectly only w/ the DR.

It's great that 7Artisans provides a way to calibrate their lenses (a tool, chart and instructions) but curious how Leica bodies are different with their rf lens/combo calibrations.

 

[zauhar]

Any possibility that the lens 'focuses perfectly' at closer distances on the various cameras, but not at infinity? Said another way , does the lens 'prematurely disengage' on some of the cameras ?

Yeah I know they 'prematurely disengage' is probably not an accepted term.

Randy

 

[peterm1]

" It's great that 7Artisans provides a way to calibrate their lenses (a tool, chart and instructions) but curious how Leica bodies are different with their rf lens/combo calibrations.'

I do not own this particular lens but I have noticed differences in Leicas calibration between film and digital M cameras generally.

 

[Huss]

Any possibility that the lens 'focuses perfectly' at closer distances on the various cameras, but not at infinity? Said another way , does the lens 'prematurely disengage' on some of the cameras ?

Yeah I know they 'prematurely disengage' is probably not an accepted term.

Randy

It focuses perfectly to infinity with those cameras.

It's not a big deal as it works perfectly with the modern Ms - film or digital. Just interesting to note for those interested in its behaviour. And it shows 7Artisans were very forward thinking by allowing owners to tune the lens to whichever camera they are using.

 

[Huss]

What is interesting is that I noticed with my old M bodies - M3 and M3 DS - not all lenses and ltm-m adapters fit. For example, my Voigtlander 40mm 1.4 will not lock onto those bodies. But it does so with more recent ones.
Just because a lens is an m mount, doesn't mean it will work properly on what you have.

 

[raid]

This lens is a bargain for what it can provide to photographers.

 

[peterm1]

What is interesting is that I noticed with my old M bodies - M3 and M3 DS - not all lenses and ltm-m adapters fit. For example, my Voigtlander 40mm 1.4 will not lock onto those bodies. But it does so with more recent ones.
Just because a lens is an m mount, doesn't mean it will work properly on what you have.

I previously owned a 50mm LTM to M adapter which I confirmed to be a Leica original not an aftermarket copy. Yet this particular adapter was quite difficult to fit on my M3 - as you say it did not lock properly without considerable force being brought to bear. Still it worked. Something was very marginally out of tolerance - a tiny variance but enough to make a difference. Other original Leica LTM to M adapters I have owned did not and do not have this issue. I guess even Leica can make "bodgey" items from time to time.

 

[raid]

I have had a similar experience as Peter has.

 

[David Hughes]

Fascinating, perhaps we should provide a link here for when people complain about second hand lenses from the old USSR...

Regards, David

 

[jonmanjiro]

Today I loaded up an M3 with film, and decided to use the same lens. Performing a quick infinity test, the lens focuses waaay past infinity on the M3. But focuses perfectly with the 50 Cron DR.

Sounds to me like the 7Artisans 50/1.1 isn't focus coupling properly with the focus cam on the M3, so probably an interference problem rather than an adjustment problem.

 

[zuiko85]

This is why, although I have a M4-2, I sure like my SLR. If I can Rube Goldberg a way to attach it, I can focus it. From a single element 100mm f12.5 from a box camera to other odd ball lenses.....I can focus it.

PS; The SLR is usually an OM-1 or a Pen F (No, not that one, the real one that uses film)

 

[Huss]

Fascinating, perhaps we should provide a link here for when people complain about second hand lenses from the old USSR...

Regards, David

Please explain what you mean.

The 7Artisans works great with my M7, M240, M5. Only have issues with my M3 SS.

It is a native M mount lens designed explicitly for Leica m mount cameras. It is not an LTM mount lens that some try to adapt for M mount bodies.

I'm going to check it on my other M bodies when I have a chance.

 

[Huss]

This is why, although I have a M4-2, I sure like my SLR. If I can Rube Goldberg a way to attach it, I can focus it. From a single element 100mm f12.5 from a box camera to other odd ball lenses.....I can focus it.

PS; The SLR is usually an OM-1 or a Pen F (No, not that one, the real one that uses film)

But can you focus it to infinity? The lens mount still has specific tolerances. And you also will have issues with losing the auto diaphragm which makes using it a lot slower.
Been there, done that.

 

[Huss]

Sounds to me like the 7Artisans 50/1.1 isn't focus coupling properly with the focus cam on the M3, so probably an interference problem rather than an adjustment problem.

That makes sense and explains why the M7 works with the Summicron as well as the 7Arisans, while the M3 only works with the Summicron.
I will try it on my DS M3 body.

Has anyone else tried this lens on an M3?

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I have seen user report for this lens on М3 DS 57. No issues reported. Lens was made in September with newer parts (silver version).

 

[Huss]

I have seen user report for this lens on М3 DS 57. No issues reported. Lens was made in September with newer parts (silver version).

Good to know, I'll try it on mine tonight if I get a chance.

 

[pk851667]

I just purchased a used 50mm f1.1 used via ebay and am having similar focusing issues on my M5. I'm a bit of a noob on this. Also, the seller didn't include the original focus chart. Would anybody have a copy available for scan?

How would you conduct this test on a film camera without going through a ton of rolls of film?

 

[mooge]

you could tape a groundglass to the film plane of your camera and use a magnifier to check the focus. (shutter held open on 'B', camera on tripod looking at some sort of detailed target (i.e. paper with print), focus using ground glass and compare with RF. Adjust cam on lens so that RF and groundglass are in agreement).


Or your camera could be out of adjustment?

 

[Huss]

I tested my lens again. It focuses past infinity on all my bodies. Guess I did not notice that before.
BUT! I then did a focus calibration test with my M240, and what matters for sharp focus is to just align the rf patch as you would do normally. So for 'infinity', I do not wind the lens to the stop, but focus on a distant object on the horizon. And it is in sharp focus when then checked. I then tested focus on near subjects, and they are in focus too. I then tested focus using the provided calibration chart, and it is in focus on that too.
So.. it focuses properly on all my bodies. The only issue is that it focuses past infinity if you try to use the hard stop. Seeing I use the rf patch to determine focus, this is not an issue.
Just a heads up for others.

 

[brbo]

That makes sense. The first observation that infinity is ony off on M3 would mean that there is something wrong with flange distance on this particular M3.