35 lux pre-asph front focus

[Nikon Bob]

Boy, you have had your share of troubles with that camera and lens. I was very pleased to hear that Don got the Lux sorted out, probably not as glad as you were though. I can say that I have had two RF cameras returned from two different repairers after a CLA with the RFs misaligned. I chalk that up to rough handling in the postal service. I have never had the RF patch totally disappear though. I can't blame you for not being a happy camper at this point.

Bob

 

[astro8]

Thanks Bob and Menos, I've quietened down a bit now but that was the first frame of film I was about to shoot in something like 20 years and just as I'm focusing for it, the patch disappears 😕

It looked perfectly aligned before it vanished. There's something loose inside, feels like something has just fallen apart in there.

Anyway, I'm going to take the top plate off and have a good look before I send it off, as the curiosity is killing me.

Once I gather the tools to do so I'll report back with my findings, someone reading this saga must be curious.

 

[jsrockit]

So much for the 'cla' it received.

I suppose you get what you pay for...

I'd be pissed. I'd demand an explanation and a possible partial refund.

 

[astro8]

Thought I would post some results for those who interested....

Uncropped shot from R-D1, 1.4@1600 as I received the lens from Youxin.
I took many shots but this was the best I could achieve.
I focused on the light bulb inside the light, but focus appears sharpest on the green bag at bottom of frame
...something like a metre closer than my focus point.

Same image cropped...

Same viewpoint, distance, lighting, time of day & settings after I received it back from DAG...(the light has rotated a bit)

I'm very happy with this lens now...🙂

 

[250swb]

Wow, you should be happy, what a transformation!

Re your focus patch disappearing, please make sure it wasn't a finger covering the little window if you are coming back to use the camera after twenty years, sometimes things are forgotten.

Steve

 

[astro8]

Thanks Steve, but sadly no.

When I turn the camera upside down, the finder partially returns and I can hear something loose inside.

 

[MikeL]

Greg, sounds like the frameline masks are loose and one or more of the screws that hold it in place is loose and rattling around. Does anything happen when you you move the frameline-select lever?

 

[astro8]

Thanks Mike, no still nothing.

If I shake the camera a bit, turn it upside down I get the patch back momentarily but it is way out of alignment..looks to be sitting half it's height above where it should be.

It's just fallen apart inside, I can here rattles. 🙁

 

[astro8]

Anyhow while making up cad files to cut the necessary tools on my laser or cnc to take off the top plate (as I have some time during holidays and didn't want to wait for the post) I thought stuff it!...I just grabbed some heavy tape and pliers and had the top plate off in about 5 minutes.

I taped the eyepiece over the viewfinder so I could adjust for the vertical alignment with the top plate off but everytime I did, it went straight back out of alignment.

To cut a long story short...after some study on the web trying to get a basic grasp on how the rangefinder worked, I found loose screws, messed around with them, found out what they did and adjusted them.

Some finger nail polish, a final adjustment and all seems so good so far.

Now to shoot some film with that beautiful 35 summilux...🙂

 

[Nikon Bob]

I like happy endings and I hope you enjoy that camera for a long time.

Bob