Things I learned today

[rogerzilla]

It is surprisingly difficult to focus a 50mm lens to get a critically sharp photo at f/2. It took a tripod and a lens test to convince me of this; the Summicron DR is barely any sharper at f/4 or f/8 than it is wide open, yet I have taken some absolute duffers with it.

I don't know whether AF (which I hate) can get any closer than a human, but my tip is to use both the coincidence and the split-image functions of your rangefinder patch; the split-image is far more precise.

 

[Roberto V.]

Roger, time to get an M3 😛. That's why I plan on getting an M3 once I get the CV 50mm 1.1

 

[brainwood]

Roger - sometimes I have the same feeling at large apertures. Some shots the focus is where I put it and I'm happy but others its way off . What puzzles me is that I went through the same process with the rangefinder. I had put it down to it being that much more critical to get it absolutely right in the view finder at shorter distances. It's all too easy for me to say thats about right with the rangefinder and.. er ..it isn't.

Chris

 

[Livesteamer]

Two years ago Sherry Krauter upgraded the finder on my M6 .85. It will now focus my Noctilux, wide open, very well. I use the .85 body for fast lenses and my .72 M6 for wide angle and less critical work. Joe

 

[paulfish4570]

keeping one's eye centered up to the patch is helpful, too.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Using a 1.25x Magnifier helps as well. I do not have a problem using an F1.4 lens on the M9. For the Nokton F1.1, I use the magnifier.

 

[taskoni]

I shoot my 50mm Lux-R wide open (@ 1.4) with no problems as my 80mm Lux-R. The 50 is dead sharp on f/2, the 80 is sharp all over.
What 50mm you're having trouble?