Lens doesn't focus to infinity

[Hadley]

I’ve got an Olympus OM-2, with a 50mm 1.8 lens. I’ve noticed though that this lens doesn’t quite focus to infinity. I was wondering if there where any suggestion that you might have about fixing this problem? Preferably without replacing the lens (as it doesn’t belong to me).

 

[MisterE]

An obvious question that somebody will ask so it might as well be me. How's your eyesight? When I started playing around with my old film slrs after leaving them unused for years, I too couldn't focus them properly. But it was my eyesight which had deteriorated, and the cameras didn't have built in dioptre adjustment. With these old manual lenses, turning them all the way to the infinity end stop, they should be in focus [unlike modern AF lenses]. Mine were actually in focus although my eyesight told me otherwise.

 

[Hadley]

An obvious question that somebody will ask so it might as well be me. How's your eyesight? When I started playing around with my old film slrs after leaving them unused for years, I too couldn't focus them properly. But it was my eyesight which had deteriorated, and the cameras didn't have built in dioptre adjustment. With these old manual lenses, turning them all the way to the infinity end stop, they should be in focus [unlike modern AF lenses]. Mine were actually in focus although my eyesight told me otherwise.

Good point. I’m 19 and had me eyes tested about a year ago and the good news is I’ve got perfect vision.

How I also know is that the cross split do-hicky (you-know that circle with a line through it, and the image doesn’t like up if out of focus) in the middle of the view finder tells me that things at infinity aren’t focused because they don’t line up.

 

[MisterE]

Make the most of your good eyesight while you have it. You'll miss it when it's gone!

 

[jimlizard]

Unless you have experience to do it by yourself, it's probably a better solution to replace the lens instead of paying for the repair service.
These lenses are really cheap and very easy to find.

 

[Hadley]

Good point. I’m 19 and had me eyes tested about a year ago and the good news is I’ve got perfect vision.

How I also know is that the cross split do-hicky (you-know that circle with a line through it, and the image doesn’t like up if out of focus) in the middle of the view finder tells me that things at infinity aren’t focused because they don’t line up.

Just a thought, does any one know what the do-hicky is called?

 

[Carl V]

Just a thought, does any one know what the do-hicky is called?

The focussing screen is called a split-image microprism (Nikon's standard screen with manual focussing cameras) but it's normally just referred to as split-image focussing.

 

[HoppyUK]

Has it been dropped? Is the lens damaged? Does the focusing ring line up with the infinity symbol? Could be the focsuing screen has got misaligned after all these years - it's interchangeable on the OM-2. Maybe check that out. Are the pictures sharp at infinity when you shoot at f/1.8?

 

[Hadley]

Has it been dropped? Is the lens damaged? Does the focusing ring line up with the infinity symbol? Could be the focsuing screen has got misaligned after all these years - it's interchangeable on the OM-2. Maybe check that out. Are the pictures sharp at infinity when you shoot at f/1.8?

I don't know if the lens had been dropped as it's not mine. However I dont think it has, the actual owner who I'm borrowing it from takes good care of his equipment. There is no sign of damage to the lens and the focusing ring does line up with the infinity symbol. It could be the focusing screen I've just tried it with another lens and it seems to be slightly out at infinity. However not as bad as the 50mm.

How would I go about fixing the focusing screen?

 

[HoppyUK]

Take the focusing screen out and replace it, making sure it's properly seated. It's explained in the manual but quite easy without if your confident with these kind of things. It just clips in, use tweezers to unhook it. Maybe post in the Film section, as somebody is bound to have an OM-2 and could talk you through it.

If the focus is still out, I would take take the lens apart and fix it, but that's just me. That's not a job for the faint hearted but once you get in there the focus stop is usualy just a little adjustable bar retained by a screw/s which might have come loose. It's a simple job for a repair shop.

It might not be a bad idea to get a repait shop to give it the once over, check the meter and tighten up the shutter mech which is probably a bit tired. All easily done, they're meant to be adjusted from time to time and that camera has got to be 30 years old.