Need your comments...

[mleeyh]

Dear all,

Need your comments on the photos attached.
Recently got my M6, and I bought the CV40/1.4 new to go with it.
Everything seems fine, until few days back I realized that when focus to infinity, the rangefinder patch does not align perfectly. It is off by few hair lines.

Do you think I should send the lens back for "servicing", which the guy at the shop told me would take 1-2 months.

I have attached 3 photos with different focusing distances.

Especially the last photo which I focus to "infinity" and took the shot. Do you guys think the slight rangefinder patch mis-alignment at infinity affect the sharpness of the photos???

Thanks so much for your comments.

ML.

Focus distance: Around 0.8m
2012-11-009.jpg

Focus distance: Around 3.0m
2012-11-010.jpg

Focus distance: Infinity
2012-11-011.jpg

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The photos are sharp. One of the problems with these kinds of issues on rangefinders is that the problem might be the camera, not the lens. If its the lens, it could be giving correct focus, even if the distance doesn't read correct (the focus cam on the lens is correctly aligned but the focus ring numbers are not). Or it could be the lens is really not focusing right but the amount its off is small enough you can't see it in photos.

 

[mleeyh]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your quick reply. Really appreciate it.
I forgot to mention, I tried a friend's 50mm summicron on my M6, and it aligns perfectly at infinity. Therefore, I think the M6 is ok??

Just don't know if I should send the lens back for "servicing" and wait for 1-2 months, and the result may be the same.

Regards,
ML

 

[Tom A]

Do a test: Borrow your friends Summicron again and set the camera up on a tripod. use a measuring tape and pick subjects at a/closest focus, 2 meters and 5 meters and infinity. Try both lenses and then check the pictures (or negatives).
When you measure the distance - measure from the film-plane (about 3 mm in from the back of the camera). Infinity is usually not a problem as the lens "stops" there and that should not shift. I have two of the 40f1.4's and neither has any shift or mis-focus at any distance.
The shots look fine - focus is were it is supposed to be. Try the focus test with both lenses at wide-open, mid range (5.6 - 8) and fully stopped down too.

 

[mleeyh]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your comment.
Yes, in fact I did some tests. The results as attached.
I tested on 0.7m, 0.9m, and 4.0m. I found that anything more than that is very difficult to see.

In fact, I'm happy with the photos produced by the lens so far. Just feel a little "incompleteness" with the slight mis-alignment at infinity.

I think I shall just leave it and enjoy more on the photo taking part.

Thanks.
ML

 

[thegman]

When I got my first range finder I worried about how perfectly accurate the range finder was. Like you, it did not seem to line up at infinity. But getting the roll of film back showed I was easily able to focus it on anything I wanted, even at f/1.4. If it works, I'd just keep it and use it.

 

[mleeyh]

Hi thegman,
I like your comment. Thanks mate.
ML