Bummer - rangefinder out of adjustment

[P. Lynn Miller]

Good day,

I am resurrecting this thread, since I just bought a second-hand Bessa R2 and it is out of vertical alignment. I am looking for detailed instructions for the R2, since I want to be able to make these adjustments in the field. I found instructions for the R and R3, ut nothing for the R2.

If anyone has a link to a web-site with instructions or is willing to impart the knowledge in writing, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[nobbylon]

adjustment instructions

adjustment instructions

To adjust the rangefinder the adjustment lens is moved, left-right for range (infinity) up-down for vertical alignment and back-fore for span (close-far relationship). These three points can be accessed by removing the hotshoe, lift the trim plate with a pin and slide off, remove the three screws noting their position. It will be obvious which hole is which.

Procedure.
Slacken the locking screw breaking the locking compound and re-tighten just enough so the lens arm can be moved with a little force on the adjustment point.

The following should be repeated until all is well

1. Adjust infinity with lens set to infinity by moving the adjustment point left-right.
2. Adjust vertical alignment using the vertical alignment screw.
3. Adjust for 1m* with lens set to 1m* by sliding the adjustment point fore-aft.

The first two should be done while looking through the veiwfinder, the last one is fairly fine, i.e. not a lot happens for a large movement, and is best done in a trial and error way.

When done don't tighten the locking screw any more, it upsets everything, just lock with small spots of nail varinish.

thx to original poster off this and i'm sorry i dont have your name.

 

[jmilkins]

Adjusting the rangefinder in a R3A. When looking down the "hole" with the camera back towards you. on the lower right is a screw with a spring under it, that is the rangefinder azimuth (vertical) adjustment. On the lower left you will see 2 screws with green lacquer (at least that is what is on mine), these adjust the horizontal rangefinder spot, the screws are in an oval or eliptical slot and turning one slides the bracket back and forth. I recommend adjusting the one closest to the center of the "hole", the other one is for adjusting the close focus points (typical rangefinder adjustment is done at 5', 15', 30' and infinity. so that the rangefinder follows the cam curve for the Leica mount lenses). When I adjusted my R3A, I found that the far lacquered screw is for the close focus adjustment. I did find that adjusting the azimuth did have a minor affect on the horizontal, so it is one of those back and forth adjustments before you get is all set. Took me about 15 minutes of tweaking. Also, after making an adjustment I found it is a good idea to focus your lens the full range (close to far and then back to close then to far) so that the rangefinder seats in.

Good luck.
karl

Thanks for this thread. Just recalibrated my R3a vertical and horizontal infinity alignment as per this post in particular. In doing so I put it way way out and was worried about getting it back. I found that a it was easy when I focused on a street light across the valley - very easy then as compared to a house roof I was using. So my tip - use a light source at infinity to make this easy.

 

[cmogi10]

you wont be the first bessa with a problem, nor will you be the last.

*bows head in silence and prayer*


chop chop

 

[jmilkins]

it wasn't a big problem - I've used it fine for a couple of years> but I got another R3a at a really good price - it was not in as good condition but I realised that its Rf was better aligned.

Now they're both sweet.

 

[cmedin]

Anders - just a quick answer to no.2: Yes. (The biggest mistake people make is measurig the distance from the front of the lens. On some cameras there's even a mark on the top plate like a circle with a line through it, marking the film plane position inside the camera.)

Well, that solves a mystery for me; I was always curious as to what that symbol was. Very educational thread!

 

[indianavince]

Just get some small drivers and fix it... it's not as if you are opening an M6!!!:angel:

I wanted to leave this note... an old friend of mine is clearing out the rest of his Leica's he sold and used them for years and years. He showed me his near virgin M6... I gave him my flimsy Bessa. He said gee.. that's a real nice viewfinder! He also though the RD-1 finder to be very very good.....thought the best he has seen... go figure. Too bad there are no markings for a 75mm VC lens though!

Based on those word from him I tried to get him to knock $500 off the M6.... he wasn't biting!