Focusing issues.

[rivercityrocker]

I recently bought a used M9. The camera had just come back from servicing from Leica and in the paperwork it said that the rangefinder was adjusted among a lot of other things. The final conclusion is that it was "returned to good working order".

The problem is that it focuses great on medium to far subjects, but closeup the focus falls about 3 inches to the front. When I adjust the focusing cam and get it spot on, the focus falls about 10 feet behind subjects that are further away. And the infinity focus is way off.

It's the same with all my lenses. I shoot lots of different subjects and I'd like to be able to get good focus at all ranges. My M8 seems to work OK, but I'm probably going to take it out for some tests today as well.

Obviously since it's used I don't have the warranty. Do you think it needs a trip to Leica along with my 50 Lux to get it properly aligned? Any ideas on what this might cost?

 

[Richard G]

I recently bought a used M9. The camera had just come back from servicing from Leica and in the paperwork it said that the rangefinder was adjusted among a lot of other things. The final conclusion is that it was "returned to good working order".

The problem is that it focuses great on medium to far subjects, but closeup the focus falls about 3 inches to the front. When I adjust the focusing cam and get it spot on, the focus falls about 10 feet behind subjects that are further away. And the infinity focus is way off.

It's the same with all my lenses. I shoot lots of different subjects and I'd like to be able to get good focus at all ranges. My M8 seems to work OK, but I'm probably going to take it out for some tests today as well.

Obviously since it's used I don't have the warranty. Do you think it needs a trip to Leica along with my 50 Lux to get it properly aligned? Any ideas on what this might cost?

Probably it will cost nothing.

It is odd. It is just back from Leica? New Jersey? And you have that paperwork. They have missed something, possibly sensor alignment, possibly still the rangefinder.

There are some great stories on RFF of Leica NJ doing a great job of fixing these problems, but sometimes only after three round trips of the camera and lenses.

Meanwhile their trained and training service staff will hardly be inundated with in warranty work on MEs or Ms as the supply has stopped so they will be glad of some toys to play with I suspect.

 

[rivercityrocker]

It pretty much had a complete overhaul Serial #'s match the paperwork. The work was done about 3 months ago. I've only had it a month and barely used it because I have been working on writing a guide for a Nikon camera so I basically have only been using the D5300. This is why it's taken so long to really come to notice the problem.

I've sent an email to Leica asking for their advice. I hope that they will cover it at no cost.

Here's the paperwork, as you can see the camera should be working perfectly.



Leica M9-P warranty by _JDT0505, on Flickr