How much does infinity adjustment cost on lenses?

ZombieArmy · 10-28-2018, 05:09 PM

I've got a few lenses that don't quite hit infinity that I'd really like to get fixed. I've tried many many times with these lenses in 6x live view but they never reach the target. How much does this minor repair usually cost to fulfill?

narual · 10-28-2018, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

I've got a few lenses that don't quite hit infinity that I'd really like to get fixed. I've tried many many times with these lenses in 6x live view but they never reach the target. How much does this minor repair usually cost to fulfill?

In some cases, for manual lenses, at least, you may be able to do it yourself by adjusting the set screw on the focusing ring.

As an example, there's info on doing so with the samyang 8mm fisheye in this post:
Focus On Newfoundland: MY VIEW OF THE SAMYANG 8MM f/3.5 FISHEYE LENS

stevebrot · 10-28-2018, 07:37 PM

Originally posted by ZombieArmy

I've got a few lenses that don't quite hit infinity that I'd really like to get fixed. I've tried many many times with these lenses in 6x live view but they never reach the target. How much does this minor repair usually cost to fulfill?

I guess much would depend on whether it is a minor repair. On several of my lenses, adjustment (if even possible) requires close to a full teardown. On others, it only requires loosening a few grub screws. A question that remains is whether the helicoid pitch is sufficiently gentle to allow much adjustment at that end of the range. Most primes are set with the infinity mark at a distance about 2000x the focal length. That may be quite close for most wide-angles, but DOF, even wide-open, along with lack of mechanical precision makes it difficult to move to point further out while still providing a "stop" that will not result in backfocus for distant elements.

Steve

stevebrot · 10-28-2018, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by narual

As an example, there's info on doing so with the samyang 8mm fisheye in this post:
Focus On Newfoundland: MY VIEW OF THE SAMYANG 8MM f/3.5 FISHEYE LENS

Yes, adjustment is easy for the Samyang 8mm fisheye, but not for infinity. One calibrates the focus ring for a close distance and trusts that far distance will follow.

Steve

**clickclick** · 10-29-2018, 07:49 AM

I have several vintage Takumars that just don't quite focus to infinity. I've been planning on tearing into them to see if I can adjust them. I figure worst case is to try the next notch over on thread alignment.

10-28-2018, 05:09 PM	#1
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	How much does infinity adjustment cost on lenses? I've got a few lenses that don't quite hit infinity that I'd really like to get fixed. I've tried many many times with these lenses in 6x live view but they never reach the target. How much does this minor repair usually cost to fulfill?

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10-28-2018, 06:02 PM	#2
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by ZombieArmy I've got a few lenses that don't quite hit infinity that I'd really like to get fixed. I've tried many many times with these lenses in 6x live view but they never reach the target. How much does this minor repair usually cost to fulfill? In some cases, for manual lenses, at least, you may be able to do it yourself by adjusting the set screw on the focusing ring. As an example, there's info on doing so with the samyang 8mm fisheye in this post: Focus On Newfoundland: MY VIEW OF THE SAMYANG 8MM f/3.5 FISHEYE LENS

10-28-2018, 07:37 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ZombieArmy I've got a few lenses that don't quite hit infinity that I'd really like to get fixed. I've tried many many times with these lenses in 6x live view but they never reach the target. How much does this minor repair usually cost to fulfill? I guess much would depend on whether it is a minor repair. On several of my lenses, adjustment (if even possible) requires close to a full teardown. On others, it only requires loosening a few grub screws. A question that remains is whether the helicoid pitch is sufficiently gentle to allow much adjustment at that end of the range. Most primes are set with the infinity mark at a distance about 2000x the focal length. That may be quite close for most wide-angles, but DOF, even wide-open, along with lack of mechanical precision makes it difficult to move to point further out while still providing a "stop" that will not result in backfocus for distant elements. Steve

10-28-2018, 07:39 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by narual As an example, there's info on doing so with the samyang 8mm fisheye in this post: Focus On Newfoundland: MY VIEW OF THE SAMYANG 8MM f/3.5 FISHEYE LENS Yes, adjustment is easy for the Samyang 8mm fisheye, but not for infinity. One calibrates the focus ring for a close distance and trusts that far distance will follow. Steve

10-29-2018, 07:49 AM	#5
clickclick Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: East Coast Posts: 2,903	I have several vintage Takumars that just don't quite focus to infinity. I've been planning on tearing into them to see if I can adjust them. I figure worst case is to try the next notch over on thread alignment.

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