Iskra Rangefinder problem / question

[lukethedrifter1]

Just purchased the camera and heres there situation. When I focus on a far distant object (e.g. what should be infinity) the lens reads something over 10 meters. If turn the focus ring slightly further so that the lens does hit the infinity mark, the image in the rangefinder shows i'm out of focus.

Don't know what to do. Should I just assume the focus footage marks are irrelevant and just focus or it something more major out of whack?

PS want to LOVE the camera tres cool

 

[Keith]

It sounds like it just needs the rangfinder adjusted to line up the images at actual infinity. (end of the lens's travel) For infinity to be sure to choose something a long way off ... the moon is a pretty safe bet! 😀

I think theres an adjustment on the linkage rod or something from memory ... I adjusted mine when I had it and it wasn't difficult.

They're a fabulous camera that can be a bit quirky to use ... but the lens is incredible!

🙂

 

[lukethedrifter1]

Believe me when I say this... I'm a total klutz. Please , please give me an idiots version on how to fix the problem. for starters I don't know what the linkage rod look like!

 

[lukethedrifter1]

PS Keith, thanks for the fast reply. I just got back from 3 weeks in Australia. Sydney, Great Barrier Reef (Hayman) Darwin !!!!, Katkadu, Uluru. I want to defect! You are a lucky guy.

 

[Keith]

I think it's down on the bottom left when the camera is open ... there is a tiny lock nut and a slotted head threaded rod there I think. You have to either shorten or lengthen the effective length of the rod. It will need very little adjustment to get it back in whack so go easy!

I don't have mine any more unfortunately or I could be a little less vague! 😀

 

[lukethedrifter1]

i see it but i'm sure which the lock nut is and how to use it.. is there anyone out there that can perhaps shoot me a picture or short video to show me what to do?

 

[Gerry M]

Give me a bit and I'll try and get a pic for you.

 

[Gerry M]

Behind the flange of the adjusting nut is a tiny slotted set screw that locks the adjusting nut. Loosen the set screw and make the adjustment as necessary. The set screw is very tiny and looks to be made of brass, so is soft material. Proceed very carefully. Best of luck.

 

[lukethedrifter1]

Yikes, it is minuscule. What are the chances of my making things worse by ruining the screw slot?

Is there any work around. Lets put it this way, am i in focus at infinity even though the lens marking reads 10 meters OR is real infinity at the infinity mark although the rangefinder reads out of focus?

 

[Gerry M]

If you damage the slot in the set screw, you are in trouble. You can check the infinity focus a couple of different ways before attempting to adjust. Probably the quickest check would be to Google: Setting infinity focus. It's not real complicated. After seeing the procedure and if your not comfortable making the necessary adjustments, may be best to have someone help you.

The slotted screw you see in the pic is the adjuster and not the set screw. It is behind the visible adjusting screw and is perpendicular to it.

 

[lukethedrifter1]

Is there anyone in the Los Angeles area that can help me with this?

 

[lukethedrifter1]

Gerry,

I can't see any way to even get to that screw, there is a flange just about on top of it!

 

[graywolf]

Before you try adjusting anything, you want to verify that the lens is actually focusing at infinity by the mark. The easiest way to do that is to shoot some film. shoot half the roll at the marked infinity, and half the roll at the rangefinder infinity. Pick subjects 100 feet or more from you for this test.

The other way is to take off the back and press a piece of ground glass, so some other translucent material (some folks have had success with frosted scotch tape stretched tight) against the film gate. Focus the lens on something far away and check that the lens is set on infinity. If not the lens back focus needs to be adjusted (very likely that someone has removed the lens helical and got it in the wrong slot when putting it back together in that case). If it is on the infinity mark, then you can proceed to adjusting the rangefinder.

Properly adjusting rangefinders is somewhat complicated. I would suggest posting a request for assistance on the repair/camera care forum here on RFF. It is way down in the next to the last group of forums.

 

[NorpA]

take a look here

 

[lukethedrifter1]

many thanks, but this is too scary for me. need outside help!!!!