Leica My Leica Kit - Joining The "Cult"

[TraamisVOS]

Unboxing was fun!

Yes.... Yes.... now do you understand ...

 

[MoonMind]

OK, samples. Take into account the time of day and the fact that I am shooting wide open in most cases (unless otherwise stated) and high ISO for this camera. After seeing the state of the image noise, I will most likely cap my color shots at ISO 1600 and the monochromes I'll probably let ride all the way to 6400.

From the 35mm Biogon, 100% crop of the subject and what I focused on. This is acceptable to me and what I was hoping to see.


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After getting frustrated with the rangefinder experience with the 50mm planar - see this image to know why (focused on dog's left eye - imager right):. Both the images of the dog shot at f/2.
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I used the live view and peaking from the same distance and got this:
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Another example of the issue with the rangefinder versus live view. Focused on the face to the left and that portraits left eye
Rangfinder version
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Focus peaking - live view
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Some other shots via rangefinder focusing - Planar 50mm f/2 at f/4

Focused on the "Broad & James" line
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To me, the 50mm seems like it is having issues. At 1/125 and f/4 ISO 200 - that should have been a sharp shot, same as below image.

Focused on the AIR POWER USA line - at the USA part....weird how much more in focus the cinder blocks are.
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Now, jumped to the Biogon 35mm f/2.8 - all of these shot wide open.
Images have been cropped

Focus was on the S in Stone
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Focus patch on the DIARY in OHIO DAIRY line
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Close focusing with the 35mm f/2.8 - yes, there is a lot of noise here, but I can still tell that I focused on the horse's eye and it is sharp - even given the ISO 6400 levels of noise here.
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Full frame from the 35mm
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Followed by a generous crop - focused on the arched part of the glasses over the bridge of the nose
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Last one - Full image of the Nationwide Insurance sign.
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Now, cropped in to show the focus area, which was on the last name SLYMAN.
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Given the shooting conditions, I believe that the 35mm Biogon is doing a great job here. It also leads me to believe that the rangefinder is not miscalibrated...but one lens is not enough to know.

The 50mm seems to be having an issue.

I'm hoping the weather is better tomorrow so that I can get out and try them both out again as well as take the Leica 90mm f/4 for a spin and see if it runs any better than the 50mm. If the 50mm does not get better it may have to be returned if I can rule out rangefinder calibration issues. It was the only one they had, so might have to look at another 50mm, like one of the Voigtlander Nokton f/1.5 of the like.

Andrew, both lenses back-focus - but the Biogon, being a 35mm f/2.8 lens, masks that pretty well already wide open by having enough DoF on flat subjects, and it *is* a very sharp lens with smooth transitions, so it's less apparent. It's quite clearly visible on the rocking horse shot though - the ears are noticeably more defined than the eye. On the Planar, back-focusing looks pretty severe on the dog shot, but judging from the estimated subject sizes, it's actually roughly in line with what the C Biogon does. Furthermore, the LiveView shot is nicely sharp on the dog's eye and shows well defined detail as well as pleasing transitions. Back-focusing shows up at its worst when shooting flat subjects - they're unsharp all over, as is visible in your sign shots. Again, the Biogon's greater DoF can make the effect disappear at medium and long distance; I'd say it's completely invisible at something like 2m (5-7ft.). Try short distance shots with the Biogon to make sure.

In short, from what I see, my bet is on the rangefinder being misaligned; I'd have it checked and adjusted before trying to judge the lenses.

M.

 

[gryphon1911]

Andrew, both lenses back-focus - but the Biogon, being a 35mm f/2.8 lens, masks that pretty well already wide open by having enough DoF on flat subjects, and it *is* a very sharp lens with smooth transitions, so it's less apparent. It's quite clearly visible on the rocking horse shot though - the ears are noticeably more defined than the eye. On the Planar, back-focusing looks pretty severe on the dog shot, but judging from the estimated subject sizes, it's actually roughly in line with what the C Biogon does. Furthermore, the LiveView shot is nicely sharp on the dog's eye and shows well defined detail as well as pleasing transitions. Back-focusing shows up at its worst when shooting flat subjects - they're unsharp all over, as is visible in your sign shots. Again, the Biogon's greater DoF can make the effect disappear at medium and long distance; I'd say it's completely invisible at something like 2m (5-7ft.). Try short distance shots with the Biogon to make sure.

In short, from what I see, my bet is on the rangefinder being misaligned; I'd have it checked and adjusted before trying to judge the lenses.

M.

I’ve got a focus checker ruler coming. Will check it out with that. Thanks so much for the info.

Not really wanting to send it in and all but it is what it is I guess. #poutyface

Dare I try and adjust it myself?

 

[MoonMind]

Dare I try and adjust it myself?

I wouldn't (I think little of my dexterity in this respect, and I am a coward when it comes to expensive toys), but you definitely might - it's feasible; we're talking about distance adjustment that can actually be done without taking the camera apart. Vertical alignment of the rangefinder (not exactly overlapping images in the rangefinder patch) would have you lose the red dot, but adjusting things for correct distance measurement is done via the lever inside the mount.

This is the quick and dirty version, but basically well thought through (including caveats); there's more to it in some cases (if both infinity and MFD are off), but I remember finding things out over about half an hour of dedicated research.

M.

 

[BruceRH]

I wouldn't (I think little of my dexterity in this respect, and I am a coward when it comes to expensive toys), but you definitely might - it's feasible; we're talking about distance adjustment that can actually be done without taking the camera apart. Vertical alignment of the rangefinder (not exactly overlapping images in the rangefinder patch) would have you lose the red dot, but adjusting things for correct distance measurement is done via the lever inside the mount.

This is the quick and dirty version, but basically well thought through (including caveats); there's more to it in some cases (if both infinity and MFD are off), but I remember finding things out over about half an hour of dedicated research.

M.

That seems reasonably unscary! That is a great video to keep in mind.

 

[rayvonn]

I think back to when I bought my rangefinder, inspecting the camera, checking to my satisfaction it had been updated and most importantly of all, taking a picture with an M mount lens. It was that last thing that clinched the sale as I saw the image I shot was in focus. I can see I was lucky but buying a used one from a dealer seems the way to go, on the one hand it will cost more but on the other hand you're likely saving yourself the time and expense of sending the camera for a CLA.

 

[gryphon1911]

I wouldn't (I think little of my dexterity in this respect, and I am a coward when it comes to expensive toys), but you definitely might - it's feasible; we're talking about distance adjustment that can actually be done without taking the camera apart. Vertical alignment of the rangefinder (not exactly overlapping images in the rangefinder patch) would have you lose the red dot, but adjusting things for correct distance measurement is done via the lever inside the mount.

This is the quick and dirty version, but basically well thought through (including caveats); there's more to it in some cases (if both infinity and MFD are off), but I remember finding things out over about half an hour of dedicated research.

M.

It definitely seems something that I am confident to try on my own, given that it is only an adjustment to that hex screw. My focus target thing came today, so once I get through all these HEMA pics and get back from calling hours from a friend, that will be the next thing on my list to investigate. I really don't want to have to send it away. I can say that even the testing that I did, shooting street the other night was a very enjoyable experience for me. I want to keep that going.

 

[gryphon1911]

Before I started delving into the depths of focus adjustments, I quickly picked up an m-mount to fuji X adapter so I can run the lens through a bit. I can see why people love these lenses! Holy smokes do they resolve some detail!

I ran test shots on the X-Pro2 (I chose this because it seemed to make sense usage wise and I may decide to get a Nikon Z adapter as well to run on the Z fc). These lenses are resolving details and textures like no ones business. What it also does is give me a test set of images I can use to check the focus accuracy on the M240.

I also contacted Youxin Ye out of Massachusetts to see if they do M240 rangefinder adjustments. They said, yes - but only for walk in / local customers. Instead - I was sent a set of instructions on how to do the adjustment myself. So between that and the videos I already have - it is just a matter of making the attempt. If I cannot get it done myself, then I'll look into either returning the camera and getting another one or contacting Leica USA in New Jersey and see what the wait time is. I really don't want to wait another 6 months if that is still the backlog time.

 

[MoonMind]

Before I started delving into the depths of focus adjustments, I quickly picked up an m-mount to fuji X adapter so I can run the lens through a bit. I can see why people love these lenses! Holy smokes do they resolve some detail!

I ran test shots on the X-Pro2 (I chose this because it seemed to make sense usage wise and I may decide to get a Nikon Z adapter as well to run on the Z fc). These lenses are resolving details and textures like no ones business. What it also does is give me a test set of images I can use to check the focus accuracy on the M240.

I also contacted Youxin Ye out of Massachusetts to see if they do M240 rangefinder adjustments. They said, yes - but only for walk in / local customers. Instead - I was sent a set of instructions on how to do the adjustment myself. So between that and the videos I already have - it is just a matter of making the attempt. If I cannot get it done myself, then I'll look into either returning the camera and getting another one or contacting Leica USA in New Jersey and see what the wait time is. I really don't want to wait another 6 months if that is still the backlog time.

If it was me, I'd take a nice little vacation and drive over to Massachusetts to get it done on site (if you can't do it yourself, that is)

I'm almost serious, btw. - I did stuff like that once upon a time, even by bike with a *saxophone* on my back to get a *mouthpiece* tweaked - I was younger then and a whole lot more foolish than I am today ... oh, wait ... maybe my foolishness just shifted That said, I did pedal about half the distance you'd have to drive coming and going, but of course, it'd hardly feel adequate.

M.

 

[William Lewis]

I could see that too. Pretty drive through the mountains. Time things right and you could get some lovely early spring landscapes on the drive back with that 35mm

 

[gryphon1911]

Well, I think I did pretty good so far. I did make some small adjustments and the lenses are definitely better performing now. I was able to test 3 - 25 ft and those shots look good. Need to check infinity, but do not have a good line of sight for it. The 50mm seems to overshoot infinity marker (i heard some lenses do that by design). I can't really go by the 90mm test shots as it is f/4. The Biogon is still very sharp, seems like no matter what I do it is just awesome...lol...

Here are some test shots from the 50mm, all at f/2. Sunset hit and it is 30F (-1C), so not the best weather to be out in testing lenses. These are quick and dirty handheld shots. To be honest, not sure how often I'll be shooting these lenses wide open anyway (except maybe the 90mm f/4) but I think I can get it there to be able to use it for a while - until I get an opportunity to test infinity focus and usage of the focus checker card!

I also want to put a shout out to the German engineers that made the cam roller the way they did...makes self adjustments possible!!


full size and crops (I know not the best subjects)

Focus was on the middle of the pillow just below the first set of creases, right below where you see the arms bend in the chair.

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Focused on the word "WEED"

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[MoonMind]

Well, I think I did pretty good so far. I did make some small adjustments and the lenses are definitely better performing now. I was able to test 3 - 25 ft and those shots look good. Need to check infinity, but do not have a good line of sight for it. The 50mm seems to overshoot infinity marker (i heard some lenses do that by design). I can't really go by the 90mm test shots as it is f/4. The Biogon is still very sharp, seems like no matter what I do it is just awesome...lol...

Here are some test shots from the 50mm, all at f/2. Sunset hit and it is 30F (-1C), so not the best weather to be out in testing lenses. These are quick and dirty handheld shots. To be honest, not sure how often I'll be shooting these lenses wide open anyway (except maybe the 90mm f/4) but I think I can get it there to be able to use it for a while - until I get an opportunity to test infinity focus and usage of the focus checker card!

I also want to put a shout out to the German engineers that made the cam roller the way they did...makes self adjustments possible!!


full size and crops (I know not the best subjects)

Focus was on the middle of the pillow just below the first set of creases, right below where you see the arms bend in the chair.

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Focused on the word "WEED"

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You're definitely getting there - but if you look at the top of the last shot, you'll see that the cap is still a bit sharper than the writing you focused on; so's "Captain Jack's" - so, still back-focusing; however, from what I can estimate, I think you corrected for at least 70% of the amount, probably more, of the focus gap. That's a great achievement, very encouraging!

M.

 

[gryphon1911]

Did some more tweaking today and I think I got it....and I also believe I found a local repair shop and will do a walk in sometime soon to see if the adjustments I did are correct. Not 100% sure on infinity focus, but I think that the adjustments I made are good.

All shot wide open at f/2 on the Zeiss Planar 50mm.

First the test target! On a tripod. Full shot (those are not sensor spots, but blemishes on my walls from putting up and taking down pictures)

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Crop

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Now some actual shots - hand held and at f/2

Scoobi - focus on the dog's right eye

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lack of model? Find a statue!

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No live view, rangefinder patch focusing only.