Back-focussing 1.5cm

[mani]

Now I've definitely come to the conclusion that the R-D1s is back-focussing approx 1.5cm (closest focus) on all lenses that I've tried. I was hoping for a while that some of the focus errors were mine (I'm sure some of them are), but after borrowing and trying an Elmarit 90 2,8 and a Nokton 40 1,4 in addition to my own back-focussing Noctilux, I can see almost exactly the same focus error wide open in all three lenses.

So the decision is whether to open her up and try to perform rangefinder surgery? I've read Rich Cutler's excellent instructions, but I'm really wondering if infinity adjustment is really going to bring that relatively small back-focus into correct alignment? I don't really feel qualified to open up the top-plate to be honest, if that fourth screw needs adjusting...

Guess if I lived in the UK I might simply drive down to Robert White's, but I'm really reluctant to send it off to them from Stockholm.

Any advice gratefully received - especially from anyone who's had the same problem and managed to fix it...

🙁

 

[georgef]

Mani, take a look at Rich's instruction page for adjustment: right under the pics showing the plate removed, he says screws 1,2,3 can be adjusted by removing the hot shoe only! you only need remove the top plate to adjust #4.
I havent done it myself, but it seems easier than taking off the whole plate.
anyone tried this?

hope it helps.

 

[mani]

Hi George

Thx for the heads-up. I saw that too - but I'm nervous that this type of very fine-tuning for 'sensitive' lenses might actually need the fourth screw adjustment. 🙁

I'll report back when I've tried, because I think compensating for the back-focussing is really gonna get on my nerves - and I already missed a few shots because of it.

Here's hoping i don't screw-up, cuz in absolutely every other respect I'm really loving the camera.

 

[mani]

FIXED!! Thanks to Rich Cutler!!!

FIXED!! Thanks to Rich Cutler!!!

Well, carefully following Rich's awesome instructions (can't thank him enough for his amazing service to the R-D1 crowd), the back-focus issue is at least temporarily banished!

It was really easy in the end, so I recommend people try it before sending their lovely cameras away. I guess I'll be doing it again sometime (soon), especially as I forgot to get hold of Loctite Green (if it's even available in Sweden?). But in any case, the hole into the top of the camera (at least on the R-D1s) is so tight I'm not sure I'd like to be pressing drops of glue in there anyway.

Awesome!!! Now I'm really loving the camera all over again!

 

[LCT]

Hi Mani, did you just remove the hotshoe?

 

[noimmunity]

Congrats! i got over my initial fear and found it was not too difficult to open the hotshoe and do the adjustment. Kind of satisfying, actually, to be able to align it yourself.

 

[mani]

Hi - yup simply through the hotshoe.
Right now I wish I could lock down the rf forever because I just quickly tested three handheld shots with the Nocti wide open on some absolutely tiny japanese print on a container in the bathroom, and got the focus down to the millimeter every single time.
Right now the R-D1s can focus just as well as the M7 - even so, I know it'll drift before the M does... but I'm getting a rush from having it focus absolutely perfectly today anyway.

Mush easier than I thought to fix - but I guess I got lucky, as I only made two adjustments. Thanks are really due to Rich. 🙂

 

[georgef]

right on mani! glad it worked. now
I have more courage to do it myself, he he.