MFlenses - A new life in a digital age
MFLenses 2026

Manual Focus Lenses Forum

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.

Explore the world of vintage lenses through repair notes, real test shots, and detailed archive threads packed with images.
DiskFreeVault safely moves Mac apps and data to external storage.
Spotlight

Featured partner placement for the forum front page.

Adjusting infinity focus on Rollei lenses
View previous topic :: View next topic  


Reply

I read somewhere that by loosening the three screws that hold the focusing ring of Rollei SL lenses,
and rotating a bit beyond default infinity mark, it would be possible to shift infinity focus in Rollei lenses
to that bit more that is needed to work with EOS adapters.
Well, I did try that, but it doesn't work. Lens does not want to rotate beyond infinity, something does not let it exceed default infinity.
Any idea why? I wanted to try that adjustment myself because it was described as very easy and I wished to avoid the charge of the service laboratory,
but I don't want to go too far and risk the precious lenses.


Reply

AFAIK it only works with some models (e.g. the 1.4/55), not with every lens.


Reply

Probably depends on lens model. Planar HFT 1.8/50, Dynarex/Tele-Tessar 4/200 and Rolleinar 2.8/135 works fine. Planar HFT 1.4/50 probably too on crop camera, but on 5DmkII hits mirror even in live-view mode.


Reply

I have the Rollei Planar 1.8/50 (Singapore), Zeiss Tele-Tessar 4/200, Planar 1.4/85 and Distagon 1.4/35.
The Distagon should work, because I read this tip exactly with regards to the D 1.4/35
but, after I loosen the screws, I still am unable to focus beyond infinity, something is blocking the part.


Reply

Orio, just a thought. It sounds very much like you've released the wrong screws. I don't have experience of Rollei lenses but every lens has some way of adjusting infinity and many other makes work on ths principle:

Under the name ring round the front element there are usually 6 (sometimes 8 ) screws. Three of these fix the filter ring to the body and the other three clamp the focus. They alternate, so looking clockwise A, C & E do one job and B, D & F the other. Some lens designs work on a different principle - e.g. CZJ 2.8/20 has a clamping ring which needs a lens spanner.


Reply

Peter, thanks for the advice - There are only those four screws on the barrel.
So, impossible to have unscrewed the wrong ones.
The only other screws on the lens are on the backside (mount).


Reply

Orio wrote:
Peter, thanks for the advice - There are only those four screws on the barrel.
So, impossible to have unscrewed the wrong ones.
The only other screws on the lens are on the backside (mount).

The ones I'm talking about are under the name ring - you have to unscrew that first using a rubber grip. I use a rubber glove over the front of the lens and an M42 rear cap to twist it.


Reply

peterqd wrote:

The ones I'm talking about are under the name ring - you have to unscrew that first using a rubber grip. I use a rubber glove over the front of the lens and an M42 rear cap to twist it.


I understand what you mean. Several contax lenses are built like that. But the Rollei -those that I have- are different. There is no lens nose to unscrew. The lens nose is one with the barrel.


Reply

Maybe it will not cover Orio case but as I adjusted infinity of Planar 1.8/50 I would like to post photos where to find proper screws.



Reply

Thanks Pavko, but the Planar 1.4/85 has the front glass directly attached to the outer barrel, and the 1.4/35 Distagon
does not seem to be removable even with effort.