Uh oh. Nikkor 35mm won't focus at infinity...

Logan LeBlanc

Logan LeBlanc

Well-known member
Nikkor 35mm 1.4 is blurry as hell at infinity. I'm sure there's a simple explanation, but I just don't know it.

Anyone know why this lens worked on a Brevis/D90 but won't on an AF100?
Is there any way to adjust the focus? It's a great lens and I'd hate to lose it. It's by far my favorite lens.

PLEASE HEEEEEEeeeeeellllpppp!!!!​

Thanks guys/gals.
 
can you get to infinity and then it goes passed it or does it never even reach infinity in the first place ( regardless of the lens marks )
 
I hope this is not a problem with the Novaflex adapter. I should be receiving my Nikon 35mm AIS F1.4 today and will test.
 
The adapter is a Fotodiox. All of my other Nikkors work fine so that's why I'm so perplexed.

Papa, I can't get to infinity at all. It hit's the hard infinity mark. Seems like if the focus ring would give me just a little more I could get it.
 
I'll try to post a still or clip or something that'll give a little more insight.

Fruuuuuuustrated, man. Frustrated.
 
If his other Nikkors are working with that adapter, doesn't it seem that it would be a lens issue?. Can you put that lens on a Nikon and check it?.(not a canon w/adapter or anything else like that)

For the record, my Voightlander adapter is hitting it marks perfectly with my Nikkors and ZF. My Novoflex C/Y to M43 is also working perfectly with my Contax/Zeiss 50 1.7. Very nice snug fit onto the lens and the body.
 
Yeah I'm not thinking it's an adapter issue either, but I'm not sure. All the other Nikkors work fine. This is an older lens but I wouldn't think it would matter, right?

Hey Fotojorno, would you mind measuring the distance from the camera body to the adapter lens mount? If it's close to what mine is, I'd have to say it's probably the lens. Focus is not off by a bit, but by a WHOLE lot.

Thanks guys.
 
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Since it's the only lens with infinity issue this points at the lens. This is a fairly wide very fast lens so the error is more evident.
few suggestions:
put the lens on nikon camera and check infinity.
Put another lens that works good with adapter on a nikon camera and check infinity focus.
They both should hit infinity right around the hard stop.
let us know the results and i'll take you to the next step.
I've done lenses for 25 years....... no worries- we'll get to the bottom of this...
 
Logan LeBlanc said:
Yeah I'm not thinking it's an adapter issue either, but I'm not sure. All the other Nikkors work fine. This is an older lens but I wouldn't think it would matter, right?

Hey Fotojorno, would you mind measuring the distance from the camera body to the adapter lens mount? If it's close to what mine is, I'd have to say it's probably the lens. Focus is not off by a bit, but by a WHOLE lot.

Thanks guys.
Click to expand...
The adapter should be 46.5mm(nikon) -20mm(m4/3)=26.5mm or a bit shorter to assure infinity. With the fast wide lens even 0.001" or 0.025mm would make a difference so you should measure it with a micrometer..
 
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optitek said:
The adapter should be 46.5mm(nikon) -19mm(m4/3)=27.5mm or a bit shorter to assure infinity. With the fast wide lens even 0.001" or 0.025mm would make a difference so you should measure it with a micrometer..
Click to expand...

My Voightlander measure's (didnt have a micrometer) 1 1/16"
 
sorry, corrected the numbers.
you need to measure with micrometer or have a machinist do it for you. you need three decimal places to know if the adapter is correct. fractional are for construction workers...
 
It is most likely the adapter, you can test it by adding a shim, the alternative is say a cardboard tube that you can just check the distance from the flange for inf focus, then check the adapter.
Borrow a "real" camera to check the lens. I have some lenses that I have adjusted the infinity focus slightly--it is easier than messing with the shims. However, that is a premium lens, so you may want to leave it alone or try a different brand of adapter. Also consider the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 for superb sharpness.
 
DrDave said:
It is most likely the adapter, you can test it by adding a shim, the alternative is say a cardboard tube that you can just check the distance from the flange for inf focus, then check the adapter.
Borrow a "real" camera to check the lens. I have some lenses that I have adjusted the infinity focus slightly--it is easier than messing with the shims. However, that is a premium lens, so you may want to leave it alone or try a different brand of adapter. Also consider the Nikkor 35mm 1.8 for superb sharpness.
Click to expand...
If you add a shim you'll make it worse- it's already too long since it does not reach infinity.
cardboard tube is good for pinhole not fast wide hi resolution optics.
First you need to determine the cause i.e is it lens or adapter...
 
Can only be one of two things...the flange depth or the lens mechanically.

The flange depth issue could be either the adapter or the rear mount of the lens. eb its misadjusted or loose

The lens issue could be a tired/worn mechanism or a loose element and the lens would need to be serviced and checked.
 
It is an adapter issue, for sure. I have an FD lenses set and 35mm f2.0 doesn't focus infinity using a cheap adapter while all other lenses do. If I use a novoflex adapter it works perfectly. Some 35mm lenses are subsceptible to little variations in the thickness of the adapter.

Regards

gary
 
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