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Lenses not focused at infinity when set at the infinity mark
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Oct 24, 2017 08:32:16   #
cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA
 
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem to be focused at infinity when set on the mark. Recently purchased a Samyang 24mm f1.4 lens that is much sharper than my vintage Nikkor 24mm f2 lens, but alas I'm not able to simply set focus at infinity by turning all the way to the stop like the Nikkor does. I have a Bower 35mm f1.4 where it is focused at infinity but the focus turns more and out of focus at the stop making set up at night more difficult than the older lenses. Anyone else experience this and does it bother you as well?

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Oct 24, 2017 08:50:37   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
I hate it when there's sand in my kale salad ....

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Oct 24, 2017 08:52:38   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
cytafex wrote:
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem to be focused at infinity when set on the mark. Recently purchased a Samyang 24mm f1.4 lens that is much sharper than my vintage Nikkor 24mm f2 lens, but alas I'm not able to simply set focus at infinity by turning all the way to the stop like the Nikkor does. I have a Bower 35mm f1.4 where it is focused at infinity but the focus turns more and out of focus at the stop making set up at night more difficult than the older lenses. Anyone else experience this and does it bother you as well?
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem... (show quote)

That is the normal case for all auto focus lenses. The AF has to be able to "hunt" past infinity. Note that the infinity mark is not the same as going all the way to the physical stop. If actually set to the mark it will be focused at infinity.

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Oct 24, 2017 09:15:45   #
GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City
 
Apaflo wrote:
That is the normal case for all auto focus lenses. The AF has to be able to "hunt" past infinity. Note that the infinity mark is not the same as going all the way to the physical stop. If actually set to the mark it will be focused at infinity.


Makes sense.
The Samyang 24mm f1.4 is manual focus.

Another factor:
From a Canon Lens Owner's Manual: "To compensate for shifting of the infinity focus point that results from changes in temperature.
The infinity position at normal temperature is the point at which the vertical line of the L mark is aligned with the distance indicator on the distance scale."

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Oct 24, 2017 09:22:14   #
Bill_de Loc: US
 
I've noticed it, but since I seldom focus at infinity it doesn't bother me. I focus looking through the viewfinder and probably wouldn't notice if the distance scale on the lens barrel disappeared.

--

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Oct 24, 2017 09:23:47   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
GoofyNewfie wrote:
The Samyang 24mm f1.4 is manual focus.

But the requirements for the AF module on the camera are what the lens is designed to match, even if it cannot auto focus. That allows the focusing aid indicators to work.

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Oct 25, 2017 06:38:39   #
par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.
 
Some do focused at infinity and some don't. I think they call that a hard stop.

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Oct 25, 2017 06:44:29   #
foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC
 
I hate it when people say kyoopon instead of koopon (coupon) and off ten instead of offen (often)




CHG_CANON wrote:
I hate it when there's sand in my kale salad ....

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Oct 25, 2017 06:51:10   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
I hate it when there's sand in my kale salad ....


But you need roughage to aid digestion. The dinosaurs used to eat rocks.

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Oct 25, 2017 06:52:30   #
jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY
 
cytafex wrote:
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem to be focused at infinity when set on the mark. Recently purchased a Samyang 24mm f1.4 lens that is much sharper than my vintage Nikkor 24mm f2 lens, but alas I'm not able to simply set focus at infinity by turning all the way to the stop like the Nikkor does. I have a Bower 35mm f1.4 where it is focused at infinity but the focus turns more and out of focus at the stop making set up at night more difficult than the older lenses. Anyone else experience this and does it bother you as well?
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem... (show quote)


That's not unusual, and it's nothing to be concerned about. How often have you been an infinite distance away from something?

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Oct 25, 2017 07:28:12   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
cytafex wrote:
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem to be focused at infinity when set on the mark. Recently purchased a Samyang 24mm f1.4 lens that is much sharper than my vintage Nikkor 24mm f2 lens, but alas I'm not able to simply set focus at infinity by turning all the way to the stop like the Nikkor does. I have a Bower 35mm f1.4 where it is focused at infinity but the focus turns more and out of focus at the stop making set up at night more difficult than the older lenses. Anyone else experience this and does it bother you as well?
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem... (show quote)


I have found MANY lenses that are sharper than my old Nikon 24mm f2.0 ais. Anyway, Yes, as a matter of fact my Zeiss manual focus lenses for my Nikon do the same. I just adjust for it and all is well.

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Oct 25, 2017 07:43:47   #
jcboy3
 
cytafex wrote:
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem to be focused at infinity when set on the mark. Recently purchased a Samyang 24mm f1.4 lens that is much sharper than my vintage Nikkor 24mm f2 lens, but alas I'm not able to simply set focus at infinity by turning all the way to the stop like the Nikkor does. I have a Bower 35mm f1.4 where it is focused at infinity but the focus turns more and out of focus at the stop making set up at night more difficult than the older lenses. Anyone else experience this and does it bother you as well?
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem... (show quote)


Most lenses are designed to focus past infinity (yes, infinity...and beyond!). This is to allow for variation in lens assembly, variation in camera body, as well as variation due to temperature. You don't want a lens that can't quite focus on infinity due to these variations.

On my 24mm f/1.4, the infinity mark is well before the hard stop. There is a hook symbol next to the infinity symbol, the stop is at one end of the hook, and infinity focus is at the other end (where the hook is). That's usually pretty close to infinity, but it's always a good idea to test it with your camera, and under various conditions, before setting it blindly.

For example, if you're using it for astro on cold nights, then go out on a cold night when the moon is up and focus on the moon. Note where focus is on the focus dial, and use that for blind settings.

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Oct 25, 2017 07:49:03   #
cytafex Loc: Clarksburg MA
 
jerryc41 wrote:
That's not unusual, and it's nothing to be concerned about. How often have you been an infinite distance away from something?


I bought these lenses primarily to do astrophotography, so often. It makes focusing more complicated. I find it strange that the stops are not at infinity with manual focus lens.



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Oct 25, 2017 07:54:39   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
Nothing wrong with that. It gives you that little extra "reach". That's something for which a lot of folks here are always searching. It's kind of like having a guitar amp where the volume, and other controls, go to 11.
--Bob

cytafex wrote:
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem to be focused at infinity when set on the mark. Recently purchased a Samyang 24mm f1.4 lens that is much sharper than my vintage Nikkor 24mm f2 lens, but alas I'm not able to simply set focus at infinity by turning all the way to the stop like the Nikkor does. I have a Bower 35mm f1.4 where it is focused at infinity but the focus turns more and out of focus at the stop making set up at night more difficult than the older lenses. Anyone else experience this and does it bother you as well?
Pet peeve, modern lenses I've purchased don't seem... (show quote)

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Oct 25, 2017 07:58:57   #
leftj Loc: Texas
 
CHG_CANON wrote:
I hate it when there's sand in my kale salad ....


You too? I thought I was the only one.

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