90mm tele elmarit focusing on the RD1

[georgef]

I just received a Tele elmarit 90 2.8 I bought off ebay. Nice little lens, although the mechanics were not as buttery smooth as I would have expected.

My question to users of 90mm lenses n the RD1, is this:
I have heard that focusing is tricky due to the 37mm base of this camera. I also know that the lens should be around 3.5 and lower to focus well.

I thought of getting the megaperls magnifier to help with that. However, I have very good eyesight, and when I look through the finder I can clearly see the spot I am focusing on is the right one. The lens, however, backfocuses enough to render oof images. This, however, only happens from 6-7 feet away and further. When I focus closer it stays in focus.



So, if its not my focusing skills, maybe I need to adjust the rangefinder. If I do tune it for the 90, will I compromise the focusing of my 15mm, 28mm and 40mm lenses?

Thanks in advance.
George.

 

[LCT]

You are out of the RF accuracy at f/2.8 with a 90mm lens. So don't touch your RF if it is accurate at f/3.5 or try the magnifier before. Otherwise if you want to adjust your RF i'd strongly suggest that you do it with a new lens or an old one that you know very well. Certainly not with a 25 years old lens found on eBay or elsewhere. Just my 0.02 cents.

 

[Jim Watts]

It may be the collimation of that particular example of the 90mm Tele Elmarit. Don't adjust the rangefinder if your other lenses focus OK.

My Tele-Elmarit focuses OK on the R-D1, but it is tricky at f2.8.

 

[georgef]

thanks gents.
I will keep testing to see where the focal issue is.

Jim, what filter thread does this lens have? I have not been able to find it so far. I think its somewhere around 39-40?
thanks, g

 

[ferider]

39, g. Great little lens, congrats.

 

[georgef]

Thank you.
g

 

[jeffmatsler]

Hello,

My pictures with an Elmar 90/4 came out sharp and in focus.

Next time I take it out I'm going to bring my 13.5cm viewfinder with parrallax adjustment and see if that works for perspective assistance (I shoot with the back closed).

I'd show you my images, but I can't convert the *(#$ things out of Epson RAW to TIFF or JPG!!!:bang: Anyone know how?😕

Thanks and let me know.

Jeff M

 

[georgef]

Jeff, you need EPSON's raw converter or the free plug in for your photoshop.
If you have neither, you can download them here:

http://www.epsonrd1.co.uk/downloads/index.html

cheers, George

 

[louisb]

George

Congrats, it is a great lens. I use it extensively on both my R-D1 and M6. I was concerned about focus issues but the real bottom line is that they are only a problem if you have really poor eyesight and can't resolve the rangefinder patch, imho.

I've had a lot of success using the lens for landscape work (see picture below) on the R-D1.

One piece of advice, get a Leitz 135mm external viewfinder (they come up on e-Bay regularly). This is one of the best external viewfinders Leica ever made, it is clear and bright and fits nicely with the R-D1 profile.

I mainly focus hyperfocally, so perhaps I have less problems than others, and usually at around f8-f11 where this lens absolutely excels in sharpness and contrast.

LouisB

 

[JNewell]

How is the framing accuracy of the 135mm finder in the accessory shoe compared to the actual coverage of the 90mm?

 

[georgef]

Thanks Louis,
I have been looking for a 135 finder, and trying to stay away from the multifocal ones as I would like a dedicated BRIGHT one. I wil be trying the lens this weekend and will post a pic or two of what I get.

 

[peterm1]

Georgef I have a few different 135mm finders. The smallest and cheapest (but not the brightest I fear, although OK ) are the Canon chrome ones. The later black / chrome ones may be better in the brightness department. I also have a large turret multi finder (35-135) made in Germany and labelled Optimus that magnifies the image beautifully and is exceedingly bright at all settings. It is a high quality piece of kit with diopter adjustment and parallax adjustment but did need cleaning internally when I got it as these have many air to glass surfaces and can get dirty over the years so you need to factor that cost in. Possibly the best if you wish to pay the money and do not want a multi finder is the Leica brightline one which tends to be pricey.

 

[jeffmatsler]

Hello,

I recommend the Minolta LTM 13.5cm finder. It is very clear, very sharp and can be adjusted for range.

It is different than the 13.5cm Minolta viewfinder for the Super A, which is not adjustable - and with which I do not have any experience.

For the Record: the finder is not marked Minolta. It is marked Chiyoko Kogakado, which was Minolta's parent company. A fact that Minolta enthusiasts may know, but apparently nobody else - including KEH - is aware (the ones that pop up on KEH are listed as Chiyoko brand).

Jeff M

 

[georgef]

Georgef I have a few different 135mm finders. The smallest and cheapest (but not the brightest I fear, although OK ) are the Canon chrome ones. The later black / chrome ones may be better in the brightness department. I also have a large turret multi finder (35-135) made in Germany and labelled Optimus that magnifies the image beautifully and is exceedingly bright at all settings. It is a high quality piece of kit with diopter adjustment and parallax adjustment but did need cleaning internally when I got it as these have many air to glass surfaces and can get dirty over the years so you need to factor that cost in. Possibly the best if you wish to pay the money and do not want a multi finder is the Leica brightline one which tends to be pricey.

Thanks Peter,
I am tracking an optimus on ebay riht now. It looks good and the price is right.
thanks for the info. The reason I did not want a multifocal is bacuase none go down to 21mm and I already have the finder for the CV15mm, but this one looks good so I will try to get it.
george.

 

[kshapero]

What are folk's experience with the CV 90/3.5 on the RD-1?

 

[georgef]

I ended up selling mine as I found it too hard to focus on the RD1. I have heard others say they have no problems focusing a 90 on theirs. I owned a CV 90 for a little bit too, which I returned, again, because I could not focus it properly.