Help! Focusing problems on Summitar

[cjm]

I shot the last frame on my Zorki 4K with my newly purchased Summitar and when I got the results, it was totally out of focus. However, the rest of the pictures on the same roll were fine, shot with a Jupiter 8.

Then, thinking there might be a problem, I ran a quick test roll through my Leica III, comparing the Jupiter 8 and Summitar.

The first two pictures were shot from the same distance and the rangefinder appeared to be focused correctly. The Summitar coupled with both the Zorki 4k and Leica III rangefinder. However, as you can see from the second picture, the Summitar is way out of focus.

In the third picture, using the Summitar, I focused on the front chair and the results show the more distant chairs in focus.

What is going on? It's not the camera itself. The lens couples and moves the rangerfinder. Focusing is accurate on the same camera when using different lenses. It seems like the focus scale is somehow backwards.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Xmas]

The summatar when it is extended needs to be locked.

The mount is locked at infinty by the stop, the lens is pulled out and rotated clockwise (looking at the camera from lens) at furthest extension until it stops, it should tighten in wedge cam system.

You can do this off the camera to see it work.

if you have already done this then the optic is too far down the mount and needs adjusting.

noel

 

[cjm]

Apparantly I have a lot to learn. I didn't do this. Would not locking the lens when extended have an effect on focusing?

Thanks for the help Xmas.

 

[Xmas]

CJM
Yes just like your shots...
I'd not feel too bad if I were you, it is too easy to brush against some of them and upset the lock so you take all your best shots out of focus...
Dont ask how often I've done this...
The other thing is the lens cap, HCB kept his on a lanyard.
Lastly if you drop the camera with a lens hood on it the lens may survive. The hood might not but they are cheaper. The hood makes the shots higher contrast.
Enjoy your toy dont worry about me.
Noel

 

[cjm]

Thanks for both your help.

Xmas - As far as a lens hood is concerned, is there any hood available that is smaller than huge original square one? A motivating factor in getting this camera and lens was their small size.

 

[trittium]

I had focusing problems with a summarit bought on ebay. Turns out someone took the lens appart and messed with the helix. My camera guy fixed it with a week. So if there is something wrong, it should be able to be fixed.

 

[cjm]

Xmas, Brian, you were absolutely right. I ran through a quick roll of Kodak b&w400cn last night at dinner, had it scanned and the focusing is accurate when the Summitar is locked. Thanks.

1/8 sec @ f/2

1/20 sec @ f/2

 

[harry01562]

Yes, you found out what that Summitar is capable of doing! Now you know why a lot of us won't let go of a nice one that we own.
Based on the shots you took, your's also looks like a good one. Give it lots of work, it thrives on use.

Harry

 

[OldNick]

Sorry, Daniel, but I agree with Brian. Mine is not available, either. 🙂

Jim N.

 

[cjm]

Thanks everyone. I actually almost let it go in order to get a more modern RF body, but after not receiving any offers, I deleted my ad.

I also just received a Series VI adapter and hood in the mail and it looks great on the Summitar. Then, as luck would have it, I logged onto eBay and within two minutes, I bid and won a VC meter for only $110. I guess this camera was meant to remain mine.