Can a 90mm APO Focus on an R-D1?

[mountainrivera]

I saw one thread here and it seemed some folks had focussing issues with the 90mm APO Summicron. The general consensus was that the 90mm summicron needs to be stopped down to 3.5 and greater to focus accurately on the R-D1. Not sure if this is confirmed or isolated experiences with a camera or two that required adjustment. I guess I will find out soon enough (one is on the way) but just want to see if I shot first and asked questions later.

Thanks

 

[Adam-T]

The Short RF base on the RD1 (and Bessas as well as the Leica CL) can make focussing 90mm lenses tricky but it can be done ... even at F3.5 you have to be careful -

I have the CV 90mm APO Lanthar and it`s one of the sharpest lenses I`ve ever used and that includes 200mm Canon F1.8Ls, Nikon 180mm F2.8 EDs, all the 90/100mm SLR Macros - when it`s bang on focus (I`m getting better at this with the R-D1 ), it`s so sharp wide open with no Vignetting, no CA and neutral colour with excellent Micro Contrast, that the only reason why a Leica 90 cron or Elmarit would be worth paying many times more for would be for the faster aperture (and there`s a Zeiss 85 too remember) and the only reason to stop it down would be for deeper DOF. IF you need F2 then get the Cron, it`s a beautiful lens at a price ----- but the difference between the Elmarit (and the difference between F2.8 and F3.5) isn`t worth anywhere near the price difference.

Sorry for the CV plug there, I`ve been shooting with the 90 Lanthar today and it`s breathtaking, i`d really not want to rely on trying to get 100% Keepers with a Cron at F2 on the RD1 though - maybe getting the Lanthar now and if you move on to the M8 get the Cron then would be a good move? , you won`t lose much as the CV doesn`t cost much new.

 

[Didier]

The question is less if the lens can focus than if YOU can focus it. As Adam says, the short baselength of the Epson rangefinder makes it difficult. I tried the 75mm/1.4 Summilux wide open several times on the R-D1, and must admit, focusing's a hit&miss thing - though I consider myself as an experienced rangefinder user. Wouldn't be much different with the 90/2, I guess. Another issue is the finder - because of the 135mm field of view you'll need a 135mm finder which isn't very accurate in terms of framing. If you already own a 90/2, use it, but don't buy it for using it especially on the R-D1. For that price you can get quite a good DSLR with zoom;which is anyway more recommendable for any FOV above 100mm.

I agree if you anyway stop down to f3.5 you may as well take the CV Lanthar which is a really sharp glass.
Didier

 

[mountainrivera]

Well, my 90mm apo arrived. Initial test shots do show inconsistancies at 2.0. Looks like it front focuses 🙁 It is accurate as it is stopped down.

 

[tmessenger]

What distance are you testing from? If you're 4m or under and do not compensate for the finder patch parralax error it should front focus.

Tim

Well, my 90mm apo arrived. Initial test shots do show inconsistancies at 2.0. Looks like it front focuses 🙁 It is accurate as it is stopped down.

 

[mountainrivera]

Thanks all. Admittedly I am not an experienced rangefinder user. I do have a mgaperl on the R-D1 and I guess my expectation is an in-focus picture when I align the image. My bad. I bot the lens and did the research later. I may put up a wtt for a fast shorter piece of glass. No sense in keeping this if I can't take advantage of the widest aperture. BTW, The RF showed the same depth when I foucused from infiniti down and vice versa.