Dissapointing first results from R3a

[iMacfan]

Hello,

I've enjoyed using my new R3a over the holidays, but have just had the two rolls developed, and am dissappointed on the whole. I think that the problem is definitely with me, as most of the duff pics seem to have resulted from using a too slow shutter speed, however some do seem to have a focus point significantly different to what I would expect.

I was using my J8 and J9 with the VC adapters, so maybe these are the result of the discrepancy between the leica and FSU specs for the lens mount.

Any ideas as to how to improve? I will try and get some examples up at sometime today, both good and bad.

David

 

[taffer]

It's not a bad idea to always take first results with a pair of pliers, as we use to say here. I remember I'd have trashed my Rolleicord after seeing the first roll I got with it.

Everything needs a learning curve. Also, the J9 is known for not being too accurate on a real ltm/m mount camera when critical focus is an issue. The J8 has the same problem in some cases. Anyway, camera movement/shake when shooting may cause more problems than the Jupiters as sometimes it takes some time to get used to a new camera. My suggestion is to give it another try 🙂

It could be also a RF related issue, it's a matter of isolating the problem.

 

[former member]

Have you tried a lens made to the Leica 51.6mm standard with the R3? The Russian lenses are made to the 52.3mm standard. The focus on the J8 will be off by ~1" (focus to 37") at 36". The DOF at F2 should cover it. If anything is in focus in the picture, than figure ever the focal length difference of the Russian lenses got you, OR the RF of the camera could be off. If nothing is in focus, more likely the shutter speed and camera shake got you.

 

[peter_n]

David, were you shooting in low light with the camera on AE? Depending on your aperture you could have had shutter speeds that challenged your grip...

 

[Huck Finn]

David, I had a similar reaction with my first roll of film on the R2. In my case, most prints seemed underexposed. So, I adjusted the film speed accordingly & everything's fine since then. Sometimes, you just need to get to know your camera's quirks - especially the metering system.

Huck

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I have the R3A and the 40mm Nokton lens and have had no problems whatsoever with focusing issues. So far the camera has performed flawlessly. The only problem I am having is getting a diopter for the camera. I had ordered one from B&H but it was lost in the mail. I now have one coming from ebay, but it has not arrived and it is going on 2 weeks. So we shall see....

 

[iMacfan]

Here's a pic:

 

[d30gaijin]

David,

If you were focusing on the pigeons it appears your focus may be off a bit. The engraved lettering on the wall behind them looks pretty sharp.

Don

 

[iMacfan]

and another...

 

[iMacfan]

another

 

[iMacfan]

Last bad one...

 

[Roman]

Yep, that's what my Bessa R does with my J8 and J9 if I use them wide-open - they do work OK if stopped down slightly, but wide open & close the different standards do show up...
That's why I'm always on the look-out for an affordable Leica-standard 50mm, like a Canon 50/1.8 or 1.9, but they are scarce in Europe, and an LTM Summicron is far above my price range - I'm thinking about asking Oleg whether it is possible to adjust a J8 to Leica-standard...

Roman

 

[iMacfan]

One I think is OK

 

[iMacfan]

This is OK as well:

 

[RML]

iMacfan, the photos do show some problems but without more background info on shutter speeds, f-stop used, spot you focused on, etc, it'll be a futile discussion about what went wrong. If you shot wide open at a long shutter speed, and were focusing in dusky circumstances many of the problems can be identified as running into the limits of the lens and your physical abilites (holding still in a breeze at 1/15 or slower is pretty difficult for anyone). But there could be other, gear-related, problems like the focusing distance of the J-8, inaccurate RF, etc.

 

[iMacfan]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I think that the slow shutter speeds were my main downfall, as I'm not so good handholding yet. Also, Roman, thanks for confirming that wide open the jupiters are a bit off focusing.

To check, I actually took delivery of my first Leica yesterday (a IIc which I won for a bid I really did not expect to win with) It seems to be pretty much in concordance with the Bessa, and I'd be suprised if both cameras are both off by the same amount in the same direction.

I'll try harder...

David

 

[vladhed]

I think that the slow shutter speeds were my main downfall, as I'm not so good handholding yet. Also, Roman, thanks for confirming that wide open the jupiters are a bit off focusing.

When I look at all the photos you posted, there always seems to be a sharp bit just beyond your subject. Could it be the Jupiter is too close to the focal plane?

Not sure how you'd fix that since unscrewing the lens a bit will upset the rangefinder calibration just as much.

 

[iMacfan]

Do people think that this could be solely down to the difference between FSU and LTM spec? If so, is it possible to have the Jupiters altered to work, as I know they can produce excellent pics.

If the problem is with the camera, can I adjust the RF easily myself? (I'd expect that it's something that needs to be done more frequently than other servicing, so should be more accessible)

David

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I agree with Vlad', in the bird image the letters on the tomb are sharp, in the image with the vase if you look at the book behind it you can see the cover highlights look sharp as well.
I would go to a camera store and load some film into your R3, mount a compatible lens ( Leica or VC)and shoot a couple shots to see if it is the camera or not. Good Luck.

Todd

 

[doubs43]

"If the problem is with the camera, can I adjust the RF easily myself?"

If you expect to use Leitz or perhaps Japanese LTM lenses on your body, DON'T adjust the body to your Russian lenses. If your body is correct for the CV, Leitz and Japanese lenses, adjusting the body for the Russian lenses will do more harm than good.

The J-9 for the Kiev is adjusted for critical focus by using spacers between the lens group and the barrel. The J-8 may be similarly adjusted. Check your LTM lenses and see how they're adjusted. Make the lens work with the body; NOT the other way around.

That's my opinion, anyway.

Walker