Bessa R3A alignment

[pab]

Folks

I have just joined this forum after searching the web for a solution to a problem I have with my Bessa R3A. Looks like this might be the place to ask.

I noticed that all my pictures taken with my 90 mm lens and at close focus seemed to be coming out with the focus 2 or 3 inches infront of where I had intended. Last night I checked the focus with a piece of greaseproof paper (baking parchment) taped to the film rail. Indeed I found the image overlap in the rangefinder patch was out by a few inches when the image on the paper was in focus. The infinity focus seems OK however.

I have asked a couple of places in the UK about having the camera checked but it looks like it would have to be sent back to Japan for repair. I'm worried that the shipping might knock the alignment out again and in any case it could be months before the camera is returned.

Can anyone advise on a do it yourself adjustment of the rangefinder at close focus on a R3A.

Thanks in advance.

 

[jlw]

If the infinity focus is OK, that's all you can do at the user level (and even that probably voids the warranty, if they catch you.)

Apparently (assuming that the R3a's rangefinder is the same as the Epson R-D 1's, and following a thread posted in the R-D 1 forum a while back by someone else) there's a separate adjustment for close-focus accuracy -- but it requires removing the top cover to get at it.

This adjustment is supposed to be made at the time of manufacture, and shouldn't drift afterward... but apparently, some R-D 1's have escaped with a slight misadjustment, and the same may be true of R3a's as well (although mine seems to be perfect.)

An independent expert repair technician should be able to remove the top cover and set the close-range adjustment correctly. Don Goldberg (DAG) has been doing this on R-D 1s; he charges $80 for a complete RF tuneup on these. I don't know if he'll work on the R3a.

However, if yours is under warranty, you might prefer to send it back and get it done on Cosina's nickel. My guess is that once the close-range adjustment is set correctly, the risk is low that it would get knocked out again by shipping. If anything were to get knocked out, it probably would be the infinity setting, for which there's an externally-accessible adjustment that a local technician could touch up for you.

BUT -- before you conclude that your rangefinder really is the problem, you might want to try some other lenses and make sure the lens isn't at fault. It doesn't take much deviation in the coupling cam to produce a 2-inch focusing error at 1 meter.

Also, keep in mind that the Bessa's rangefinder is designed to handle lenses in Cosina's own line -- so if you're trying to focus, say, a 90mm f/2 Summicron at full aperture and closest distance, you're really exceeding the accuracy limits of the rangefinder design, and can't expect totally consistent results.

 

[pab]

Thanks for this- that's really useful.

Actually its the CV 90 mm that I've been using. It works well on my R2 and RD-1.

Per

 

[jlw]

That sounds pretty definitive. If you poke around in the R-D 1 forum, you should be able to find the thread. It includes some photos from DAG that show the location of the R-D 1's close-range adjustment. I'm guessing that the R3a will be very similar.

I'm a fairly intrepid tinkerer, but I wouldn't want to try this as a DIY project...

 

[tom_f77]

Looks like you have the info you need here, but the camera *can* be serviced in the UK. Sangers do the guarantee work - call 0870 444 0003 and ask for Arthur in service.

Good luck...

Tom

 

[pab]

Tom

Thanks for this. I called Sangers- they no longer deal with Voigtlander. Seems like you have to go through Robert White, who will send the camera back to Japan.

Per

 

[tom_f77]

Tom

Thanks for this. I called Sangers- they no longer deal with Voigtlander. Seems like you have to go through Robert White, who will send the camera back to Japan.

Per

Thanks Per. I must have been the lucky last - I just got mine back serviced last week!

Tom

 

[pab]

Oh well- I just posted it to Robert White! Good to know for next time though.