85 on an rd1?

[back alley]

anyone using an 85/90 on an rd1?

what external finder do you use with it?

any problems encountered?

rich cutler recommends using a 150 finder with an 85.

 

[squirrel$$$bandit]

I had a Jupiter-9 for a while and used it on the R-D1 by just imagining the FOV nestled inside the 50mm framelines! It worked OK with practice, but it was very hard to focus accurately wide open.

 

[helen.HH]

heres a few....90 cron & Rd1
initially I was chopping off heads :bang:
but then eventually got the FEEL of a 90
without a VF
Best to You-H

 

[f16sunshine]

I had a Jupiter-9 for a while and used it on the R-D1 by just imagining the FOV nestled inside the 50mm framelines! It worked OK with practice, but it was very hard to focus accurately wide open.

This is my experience as well and one of the reasons that I picked up an M8. With a little practice framing can be accomplished with good consistency but focus was another matter at least for me.
Here is one that did work out using an adapted CZ Opton 2/85 Contax. I would say don't give up on the idea but, be ready for the realities of that short baseline.

 

[back alley]

love the cop shot helen.

i'm still hoping to get the zm 85/4 and want to use it on the rd1 but i'm thinking i will need an external finder.

 

[kxl]

Here's one with a 90mm ELmar. No finder - I usually just try to center the most important part of the image (in this case the girl's face) and then do some chimping after the shot. The 1.3x magnifier helps with the focusing but adds some guesswork to framing, especially with a 90mm.

 

[Keith]

I'm curious about your reasons for wanting to use this length on your Epson Joe ... it equates to a 130mm focal length which is pretty long by RFF standards. I quite like my 90 Summicron but find it pretty extreme on my M8.

 

[bennyng]

I've used various lenses from 80 to 135mm focal length on the R-D1. Usually no problem, except for the Leica APO-Summicron-M 90mm f/2.0 ASPH. Accuracy may be hindered by the mismatched cam between the lens and the camera. Can't be bothered to fix it as I have the Canon 100mm f/2.0 LTM to use.

As for finders, I'm quite used to estimating. It works well after a while as you have the 'chimping' option, unlike film. I also use a Tewe zoom finder, which goes from 28mm to 200mm. Very useful for the R-D1 and highly recommended. If you are using a dedicated 85/90mm lens, then a 135mm finder will probably be a good option.

Here's one using the Zeiss Sonnar 85mm f/2.0 on Epson R-D1


ISO 800, 1/60 sec, f/2.8. Unadjusted and unsharpened JPEG straight from camera on standard setting.

If you are interested to look at the focusing accuracy of the other lenses on the R-D1, you can check out some of my images here. Most of them would have some notes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ngminchai/collections/

Cheers,

 

[back alley]

I'm curious about your reasons for wanting to use this length on your Epson Joe ... it equates to a 130mm focal length which is pretty long by RFF standards. I quite like my 90 Summicron but find it pretty extreme on my M8.

cause i want it all!

i want that lens and i want to use digital, though the 85 might push me to use the zi and film.

 

[Keith]

cause i want it all!

i want that lens and i want to use digital, though the 85 might push me to use the zi and film.

That what I was thinking sort of but I wasn't sure that you still had your Ikon ... I've used my Summicron on my Ikon a few times and it's a sensational combo with that dream viewfinder and generous EBL! 🙂

 

[back alley]

That what I was thinking sort of but I wasn't sure that you still had your Ikon ... I've used my Summicron on my Ikon a few times and it's a sensational combo with that dream viewfinder and generous EBL! 🙂

remember that the 85 i want is the f4 version, really shouldn't be a problem on a shorter ebl. (i hope)

 

[ampguy]

M-Hexanon 90/2.8 works great. I set the 50 lines, and use the first shot to estimate framing. eff. f.l. is long, so I prefer 75, but still works well, and with 2.8, very easy to focus.

 

[Tuolumne]

I find a 90mm lens almost impossible to accurately focus on the R-D1. That's why I switched to a 75. Even the 75mm is a Summarit with a max aperture of f2.5. I think it's very iffy to focus long lenses on the R-D1 if they're open above f2.8.

/T

 

[ampguy]

I haven't found this

I haven't found this

Many outings with just the 75 or 50 lux, and 99% of wide open photos are in focus for me.

I find a 90mm lens almost impossible to accurately focus on the R-D1. That's why I switched to a 75. Even the 75mm is a Summarit with a max aperture of f2.5. I think it's very iffy to focus long lenses on the R-D1 if they're open above f2.8.

/T

 

[noimmunity]

I had some trouble nailing focus and composition when using an 85/2 wide open. But I don't think Joe will have any trouble focusing starting from f/4. I'd bet the colors from the ZM lens would look very nice on the R-D1.

Joe, I'd suggest the 135 brightline VF from Komura. It is 1:1 viewing ratio and has parallax adjustment you can dial in. Fun to use in it's own right! (and why not get a 135 for your ZI? they're cheap and fun, and the ZI EBL can easily handle it!).

I occasionally use a 135/4 on my M8 and it can be a lot of fun if it's not a critical situation.

 

[Keith]

Damn ... I have trouble getting the focus dead on every time when shooting portraits with this focal length on my Zi ... I wouldn't fancy my chances with the Epson.

But as Joe said ... a bit less critical at f4!

 

[phototektour]

Hi back alley,
I´m using a Tele-Elmarit 90mm, even wide open at 2.8. For best results I got a Nikon DG-1 2x magnifier, its also a very good evf for 90mm. This one is smaller than the DG-2, so you can still turn your display. And in case you want to change your glasses you can flip it up to use the normal evf.
Hope it helps
R

 

[photorat]

anyone using an 85/90 on an rd1?

what external finder do you use with it?

Forget accessory viewfinders. You need to be able to focus, compose and shoot all at the same time. And focus and parallax errors are even more critical at longer focal lengths.

Consider modifying your frame line plate (http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_22.htm) or just learn to judge the edge of the frame relative to the 50mm frame lines. I still think you will find the base length a bit limiting, even at f/4.

Cheers and have fun.

 

[Kevin]

At focus distances less than 3m and apertures faster than f/5.6, I cannot get precise focus with my Tele-Elmarit 90mm on the R-D1.

Framing was also hit and miss. I gave up trying to master this combination.

 

[andreas.pichler]

I love the 4/90 Elmar. I own an older one from the 50ies, but the overall craftmanship and optical quality is astonishing, even at aperture 4.0.

Focussing is okay - not more difficult to handle an Jupiter 3 fully open.

The look of the images is more modern than old fashioned.

What I really love is that you can disassemble the unit to use the front element with the Visofle or to use the whole unit for macro photography - plus you can use the front element as a magnifier if necessary ;-)

So you have a multi purpose lens for around 125 - 150 EUR.

Concerning the finder: The KIEV turret finder is perfect, then I own a King Regula 35/135 which is not so bad, but estimating with the 50 mm frames is not a problem as well.

Cheers, Andreas

Brightware from 2 meters distance with 4/90 Elmar and R-D1, aperture 4