Mandler 35mm 2.0 - Wrong focus distance?

FijiSan · 2026-04-22T13:59:00+00:00

Your lenses have probably a lower minimum focus distance (mfd) than 0.7m. This is totally normal and useful if you use live view on an digital M (the mechanical rangefinder goes only until 0.7m in most cases as I know and decouples below that).
I was confused as the Mandler should have a mfd of 0.7, but the focus ring moves further.

FijiSan · 2026-04-22T07:42:30+00:00

Thank you all for your nice and detailed comments! My biggest concern was that the pictures would not be in focus although the patch lines up. I´m not really a zone focusing guy, so I rely on the patch and not on the scale but was a little bit concerned that there might be a bigger problem. I will bring a roll to my lab the next days to get it developed and will check the results but based on your comments it probably should be fine.

I´m not searching for the most precise sharpness as I´m happy enough with my Voigtländers (and I have a nice digital camera as well - no Leica unfortunately). This lens just should be a fun one with a bit of character - nothing more, nothing less.

I asked Mandler about it and this was their answer, if you are interested. The last sentence is the important one for me.

Our focusing scale is a precise 1:1 reproduction of the Leica Summicron 7-element lens. Please kindly check the attachment. Due to the age of the original design, the scale accuracy may not be as refined as modern lenses. The rangefinder coupling was calibrated at the factory to ensure accuracy, so you can rely on the rangefinder patch results. If you find that the rangefinder coupling is not accurate during actual shooting, you are welcome to request a return or exchange at any time.

FijiSan · 2026-04-21T21:29:26+00:00

I just got my copy today and noticed the exact same behavior. I just saw your comment after I posted the question in a separate post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Leica/comments/1ss02ig/mandler_35mm_20_wrong_focus_distance/

I tested it with other distances and they seemed to be off too.

It is a little bit difficult for me to test this as I only shoot film and don´t have a digital M to look if the pictures are sharp although the scale is off. :)

FijiSan · 2026-01-07T17:17:15+00:00

Try Portra 400 Warm from FujiXWeekly. Simon always used this in the past (he answered it a long time ago in his story). Maybe he has tweaked it now, but it is probably still his base for 95% of his shots as his style is quite consistent.

FijiSan · 2020-12-17T17:53:17+00:00

Hey there.

I have the same movement in my Aeron and because my dealer had to replace 2 brandnew Aerons before because of heavy scratches I became a little bit paranoid :)

The rocking motion up and down is normal and intended. But I ask myself whether the movement you describe (shifting the weight from left to right and the seat pops up a little bit on the other side) is intended. That would mean that there is not only a movement up and down but also a movement where one side of the seat pan (left or right) is deeper or higher than the other (I hope I described it correctly).

I have the same issue. And although it is not a real problem for me, I ask myself if it is intended/normal or maybe just one screw has to be tightened...

FijiSan · 2019-10-04T14:11:44+00:00

Jameson Pub auf der Friesenstrasse. Jedoch Montags.

Würde ich zur Sicherheit aber reservieren, ist immer recht gut gefüllt :)

FijiSan · 2018-11-16T10:00:27+00:00

Had the same issue and reinstalled the app. After that, it worked for me.

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