Would you please to solve my doubt (deep in my heart) of the New M6 TTL plus Simmicron 35mm/2.0. I bought that set on Oct. 2nd 2001 from local dealer here in Taiwan. After 2-3 rolls films were taken. I found a strange thing that I could not overlap the image accurately when I focus too a really far object (far more then 500 meters).(It is just a little, Not perfect overlap accurately). So I contacted to the local dealer twice, and they checked my camera and lens by focus a building at 100 meters distance. It is quite accurate. Then they told me, This set is OK. If you can focus at a distance of 70 meters with 35mm lens, it means nothing wrong with your camera and lens. Don't pay too much attention to the really far distence things. Is this the real fact of the brand new M6TTL from a highest reputation Leica production. Is that true . Don't care the overlap of the image when you focus the suject over 70 meters distance .

Thanks Alain Hu

-- Alain Hu (hnh@ms15.hinet.net), October 19, 2001

Answers

You mentioned "after 2-3 rolls (of) films", do you mean to say after that it was perfectly OK? If so, your M6 some how must have been "knocked" out of alignment ?! It's not a big problem to get it calibrated.

If not, try another lens and see if the 2 images align at infinity. If so, the problem is with your lens. (This happen to mine too but it has no effect on focusing at infinity, as claimed by your dealer.)

In any case, use your summicron wide open to take some pictures at both close range (1-2m) and infinity and examine if the images are sharp. If they are, what is there to worry about?

Good luck.

-- Jose Lee (yosslee@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001.

So sorry, I meant to ask "before that it was perfectly OK?"

-- Jose Lee (yosslee@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001.

Thanks Jose, What I mean is I use the camera to take photos around the apartment where I live. But last Sunday. I went out for a trip to a mountan, I fund can't overlap the image quit accurate.

-- Alain Hu (hnh@ms15.hinet.net), October 19, 2001.

Thanks Jose, What I mean is I use the camera to take photos around the apartment where I live. But last Sunday. I went out for a trip to a mountan, I fund can't overlap the image quite accurate when I focus to the infinity object.

Alain

-- Alain Hu (hnh@ms15.hinet.net), October 19, 2001.

If you test it with another lens and it aligns, then you might want to send your lens for calibration. If you conclude that the camera is out of alignment, you may want to look at this site and see if you are game enough to adjust it yourself. (or at least have some ideas how it can be adjusted. Really, it's not a big deal.)

http://www.mediakyoto.com/camerashopper/lrc_e/rM3_e/r_adjust1_e.html

-- Jose Lee (yosslee@yahoo.com), October 19, 2001.

Theoretically, the images of distant objects very far away should overlap perfectly with the camera focused at infinity--they do on both my M3 and CLE with all of my lenses. If not, then the focus will be off by a slight amount throughout the entire focus range from .8 meters to infinity. If it is off a very very small amount, it will not likely show up in the pictures,(as depth of field would cover it especially with a 35mm focal length) but it could be a problem with a fast lens at close range where depth of field in measured in millimteres like the 75mm f1.4 or 50mm f1.4 / 1.0. The rangefinders can go out off , and it is not that big of a deal to get it put back correctly. There has been talk here where the lens itself needing a little work to set the infinity focus on its cam. I'd check the camera with another lens to see where the problem is, and I'd insist they fix it under warranty if it concerns you.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), October 19, 2001.

I agree with the previous postings. Check it with another lens and see if the images overlap properly at infinity. Also check on an object in a 5-50 meter range to see if the vertical alignment is off on the finder. If the vertical alignment is off, it will affect all lenses, but horizontal could be either the body or the lens. My M6 was bad right out of the box and Leica USA turned it around in one week. I caught it after I shot pictures of a friends wedding with a 90 Summicron at f:2.0. The camera was one month old. The images should line up properly at infinity with any Leica M lens in good shape. Check it and get the affected item repaired, it will be worth the time and frustration. I have been there.

Mark J.

-- Mark A. Johnson (logic@gci.net), October 19, 2001.

Do NOT accept repairing your camera or lens! You bought a $3000 set 2 weeks ago, they HAVE to get it back and give you a new one immediately. Ask them to check another body at the same distance to see if the images overlap. They will overlap of course, so, tell them to keep the one you have now and give you the other one. Talk to the dealer himself, not a salesman.
This problem will probably not affect your photos, but it will SPOIL all your happiness for your new toy.
Don't accept anything less than a new camera.
Jordan

-- Jordan Koussis (jordan@koussis.com), October 20, 2001.

Thank you all. I have email this problem to Leica customer service center. See what they will reply me. I agree with Jordan, I think I'll ask the dealer to change a new camera. Because it is only 18 days old.

Alain

-- Alain Hu (hnh@ms15.hinet.net), October 20, 2001.

Remember infinity is a long, long way away. An object needs to be at least 2 kilometres away, preferably even father. It is a very simple adjustment if it is off.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), October 20, 2001.