M8 rangefinder "out"

[joe bosak]

Could some knowledgeable soul give me a second opinion before I try anything here please...

I bought an M8 recently with a Nokton 35/1.4 II. I've found most of my photos are out of focus - a bit disappointing as the X1 I was effectively swapping for gave excellent pictures despite the - in my opinion - horrible focusing experience whether AF or MF. In the end with the M8 I used zone/hyperfocal focusing at f8 on a sunny day, and things came out with everything in focus as I wanted that time, but I'd rather it worked properly...

Today I've been testing it more systematically. Whatever I focus on, the picture comes out as though focused on something behind the target. At closer distances, it's about 6" behind, it may be wider at longer distances. The lens distance scale seems to usually be somewhat out at shorter distances eg reporting 3m when it should be more like 2m or so.

Varying the f-stop doesn't seem to make a lot of difference though at f8 the problem is masked by depth of field.

The RF movement stops before the RF is lined up for distant objects, although the lens goes to infinity (I didn't check whether distant objects were in focus in shots).

So I'm wondering: is this likely to just be a matter of adjusting the cam (I have seen mention of a 2mm allen key)?

 

[raid]

Have you tried using another lens with your M8?

 

[brusby]

Since you don't have live view on the M8, I'd start by checking infinity. Most Leica lenses have a hard stop at infinity (not sure about that Voigtlander). Set the lens to infinity and then check the rangefinder to see if it agrees. But from your statement that the rangefinder stops before reaching infinity, it seems very likely your rangefinder is out of adjustment.

If it's off, you can adjust with a 2mm Allen key. There are plenty examples on line of how to do it, but basically you put it into center of the circular roller bearing of the rangefinder mechanism which is located at the top of the lens mount opening. Adjust with the lens set at infinity until the rangefinder agrees.

There are actually two adjustment places, infinity (described above) and close, but infinity is the place to start and often the only one that needs adjustment.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Mine was like this, adjusted properly with the 2mm hex wrench on the main cam follower. VERY SLIGHT MOVEMENT!

 

[peterm1]

Rangefinder misalignment is pretty common with M8s (and I presume with other digital Ms). I had an M3 for years and it never required adjustment or recalibration of the RF but my M8 has. So I do not know what has changed. Some say nothing has changed in Leicas architecture of their RF mechanism but I prefer to believe my "lying eyes" as this seems to be an issue more complained about with digital Ms.

The first time mine went out of calibration occurred mysteriously after a holiday in another state. My presumption was that this was prompted by the camera sitting in a camera bag for a few hours both there and back while being vibrated by the airplane's engine all that time. Next time maybe I should wrap the camera in multiple layers of cushioning material first. In any event one thing that seems common with others who have experienced this is that there is often no obvious reason like a drop or a bump. I have seen some semi pro users state that they have to get digital M recalibrated professionally every year for this reason. This seems unreasonable to me and it one thing that has put me off upgrading to a later digital M.

 

[joe bosak]

Thankyou all for these responses.

I have a Jupiter 8 (LTM of course) that I could get an adapter for - I guess if it did focus ok that would indicate an issue with the nokton. Are cheap adapters just as good/accurate as those costing 7-8 times as much?

Interesting point peterm1 about this possibly being common on digital Ms, especially for no very obvious reason. So it would be a good habit to routinely check for RF alignment before heading out with my M8 even if I can get it adjusted... honestly makes wonder whether I will keep the camera long if that's the outlook, but we'll see. Right now I'm marvelling at the weight of it...

 

[Sonnar Brian]

If the focus with an unmodified (Shimmed for Leica) J-8 is good, that indicates that the Camera is off.

The Jupiter lenses are made to the Russian standard, and must be adjusted for the Leica.

 

[joe bosak]

If the focus with an unmodified (Shimmed for Leica) J-8 is good, that indicates that the Camera is off.

The Jupiter lenses are made to the Russian standard, and must be adjusted for the Leica.

Thanks, I did wonder whether it would introduce another issue. I guess I should investigate that anyway, I have been using the lens with a Canon 7 and before that a Bessa R (it came with a Zorki) - presumably those bodies would be closer to Leica than Zorki?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The Canon and Bessa R are Leica standard, the difference in focus with a 50mm F2 lens is not as noticeable on film. Pixel-Peeping Digital sensors that do not have the depth of the emulsion of film- can be a problem. Typically the shim needs to be increased about 0.1mm~0.2mm for a Jupiter-2 to be used on a Leica. BUT- there is a lot of deviation.