Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/07/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thanks Jim, Detlef and Lucien for your input on this issue. It would be very interesting if other LUGers using M series equipment tested out their rangefinder accuracy wide open at various distances using the method I suggested. Some people may get a rude shock if my experience is anything to go by. I guess you have seen Danny Gonzalez' post of a day or two ago about Leica offering to 'fine tune' rangefinder cams for a fee. On the other hand I do appreciate the extreme difficulty in guaranteeing absolute accuracy in manufacturing a rangefinder cam and matching it to a specific lens. Infinitesimally small deviations from the perfect cam shape are capable of producing incorrect focus when the lens is used at, or close to, maximum aperture. Lucien, my problems were with a new Canadian M4-P body and two new German lenses. With regard to secondhand lenses, I have not noted any significant difference between Canadian and German made stuff. One also has to bear in mind that you never really know the provenance of a secondhand item. Anything could have happened to it so you really have to test it out thoroughly before your option to return it expires. John Gilbert <Unrepentant Perfectionist> gilbertj@merlin.net.au