Canon L-1 Rangefinder alignment

Creagerj

Creagerj

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How do I tell if the rangefinder is aligned properly on my canon L-1? I have concerns because I took some pictures on with a J8 wide open on my L-1 and they were a little fuzzy. It could have been me though. Is there a tell tale sign or a good way to test it?

If it is out of whack, how much does it cost to fix that?

Also, just for kicks, what is worth more an L1 or a P? For some reason I'm really jonesing for a P.
 
Try photographing a several foot long measuring tape taking careful notes of what number you focused on for a particular frame of film. Shoot wide-open too so DOF doesn't become a factor.

As for what camera is worth more, right now, it's probably a P. For what it's worth, long ago I sold my P and bought an L-1. Much prefer the L-1 primarily because of it's straightforward finder. Just couldn't stand the cluttered viewfinder and flare of the P.

Jim B.
 
How does it work with other lenses? Put the lens to infinity and look at a distant object as far as possible. Do the images match in the RF? If so the RF is adjusted correctly. If not it is relatively easy to adjust. If it is adjusted and all lenses are still out, I would suspect the flange/film plane distance to be out but this is very unlikely. If only the J8 then (and I think this the most likely cause) the shimmimg on the J8 is out and it needs collimating.

As far as the P goes, I prefer the L/V/VI series because of the variable mag finder. The L1 was developed into the VI series with all the speeds on one dial. The P was a "budget" version with a fixed mag finder and a few other minor detail alterations.

Kim
 
It is a long time since I did one. As far as I remenber the horizontal adjustement screw is behind the screw in the corner of the front finder surround. Remove that and insert a small screwdriver. Put he lens to inf and look through the finder at the furhest object you can see. Adjust the RF untill the images align. I can't remeber where the vertical adjuster is at the moment.

Kim

Creagerj said:
How do I adjust the rangefinder?
Click to expand...
 
Kim Coxon said:
I can't remember where the vertical adjuster is at the moment.
Click to expand...

This is from memory, but I'm pretty sure the vertical adjustment is behind the chrome, circular rangefinder window bezel on the front of the camera. You unscrew the bezel which then exposes a slotted collar that can be turned with a lens spanner. Haven't done that adjustment in years but I remember it as being relatively easy.

Jim B.
 
Hmm, define lens spanner and a possible substitute. Also, any suggestions for how to take the bezel off?
 
the bezel can be sometimes screwed off with just your thumb and index finger.
a pair of tweezers can be used to rotate the window, which will align the vertical image of the rangefinder.
 
I think that did it. Dare I say it but I think my rangefinder alignment is perfect now. I still have to run some test shots though.
 
I would not calibrate a Leica-style rangefinder with a Russian lens. Way too likely that the lens is what's off, and that you have just calibrated to a mis-manufactured lens.

Use a real Leica or Canon lens to get the infinity calibration right, which is what folks instructions have been for.

There's a third adjustment for the "rate" or "gain" of the rangefinder, which involves changing the effective length of the RF coupling arm. You don't want to mess with that without a lot of standards available.

You may have to live with some focusing error at close distances with the Jupiter 8, since the Russian LTM cameras have a different rangefinder rate, since they are designed around the Zeiss nominal 50mm lens focal length, which isn't the same as Leitz's.
 
Yes, probably better than the J8. It is also why, in my first post, I asked how it was with other lenses. Bearing in mind the variability of FSU lenses, I would always suspect the lens first. 😉

Kim

Creagerj said:
That didn't occur to me. Would a canon 85mm serenar work for calibration?
Click to expand...
 
In which case, I would set the RF with the 85 and then check the focus on the J8. If the focus is still mout on the J8, I would then adjust the lens.

Kim

Creagerj said:
Well it seemed off with my 85 too, especially the Vertical anyways.
Click to expand...
 
I think I'm right in saying that the J8 is a Sonnar derivative. Since the Sonnar cannot be focussed accurately at wide-apertures/close-distances (i.e. focus cannot be measured accurately with the rangefinder) this really isn't a good lens to test with. I've had the same problem with my J3. The L1 is a great camera though -- I have a couple of them.
 
The problems associated with the J8 and more especially the J3 tend to be more associated with their origin rather than a fault of lens design. 😉

Kim

lawrence said:
I think I'm right in saying that the J8 is a Sonnar derivative. Since the Sonnar cannot be focussed accurately at wide-apertures/close-distances (i.e. focus cannot be measured accurately with the rangefinder) this really isn't a good lens to test with. I've had the same problem with my J3. The L1 is a great camera though -- I have a couple of them.
Click to expand...
 
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