tbarker13
shooter of stuff
So i bought an R-D1 last week. The thing looks great except for one issue.
The rangefinder images do not line up correctly. One image is just a tiny bit higher than the other. It makes it difficult at times to focus.
The point of focus also seems to be about 2 inches in front of what the camera indicates.
Is this something that can be fixed easily? And any suggestions on a repair person? Don Goldberg worked on the one I had back in 2006, but I'd heard that he's not messing with them any more.
The rangefinder images do not line up correctly. One image is just a tiny bit higher than the other. It makes it difficult at times to focus.
The point of focus also seems to be about 2 inches in front of what the camera indicates.
Is this something that can be fixed easily? And any suggestions on a repair person? Don Goldberg worked on the one I had back in 2006, but I'd heard that he's not messing with them any more.
Burkey
Well-known
'Sorry to hear of the problem. I'd have Steve at http://www.stevecamera.com take a look at your RD-1. I've had my RD-1 for a couple of years now and recently contacted Steve about sending it out to him for a "lube and an oil change". I've heard excellent comments about them around here for quite some time. Good luck.
. . . Burkey
* Tim - I think I have your old RD-1. ;-)
. . . Burkey
* Tim - I think I have your old RD-1. ;-)
Last edited:
pphuang
brain drain...
Hey Tim,
You can try it yourself first - here's a useful link:
http://www.richcutler.co.uk/r-d1/r-d1_16.htm
If that doesn't work, or you just don't like messing with the insides of your camera, Steve at Steve's Camera does good work...
edhohoho
Established
Sounds like you need adjustment of the vertical alignment on your R-D1, a very common problem. According to a recent thread, DAG and Sherry Krauter do not work on the R-D1 anymore. I also recommend Steve's Camera Repair.
Although there are ways to adjust the vertical alignment yourself (I believe instructions are on Rich Cutler's website) if you are familiar with completely opening cameras and have the right tools, but I wouldn't recommend simply removing the hotshoe and adjusting alignment that way because I think I was pressing too hard and eventually had a busted rangefinder.
The issue of focusing may be due to the fact that since you have some vertical alignment problems, what you estimate to be good overlap of the images may actually still be slightly off from true, accurate focusing. I would get the vertical alignment fixed first (most common issue), and if there are still problems after that, then horizontal alignment or the lens itself should be checked.
Also, try getting a Megaperls 1.3x magnifier to improve focus accuracy as it enlarges the rangefinder patch and makes it easier to see the images overlap. I don't know how I ever did without it.
Although there are ways to adjust the vertical alignment yourself (I believe instructions are on Rich Cutler's website) if you are familiar with completely opening cameras and have the right tools, but I wouldn't recommend simply removing the hotshoe and adjusting alignment that way because I think I was pressing too hard and eventually had a busted rangefinder.
The issue of focusing may be due to the fact that since you have some vertical alignment problems, what you estimate to be good overlap of the images may actually still be slightly off from true, accurate focusing. I would get the vertical alignment fixed first (most common issue), and if there are still problems after that, then horizontal alignment or the lens itself should be checked.
Also, try getting a Megaperls 1.3x magnifier to improve focus accuracy as it enlarges the rangefinder patch and makes it easier to see the images overlap. I don't know how I ever did without it.
Burkey
Well-known
Where can you buy the "Megaperls 1.3x magnifier"?
. . . Burkey
. . . Burkey
bennyng
Benny Ng
You do lose the 28mm frameline with this magnifier, make it usable with only 35 and 50mm framelines.
Cheers,
edhohoho
Established
Just do a google search for Megaperls. It's in the webshop. Try this:
http://www.unicircuits.com/shop/pro...d=112&osCsid=a5b499d5606bce5cd75ea8aaaeca292e
You don't actually lose the 28mm framelines, but it does make them harder to see since the magnifier makes it necessary to move your eye around in order to see the whole frame. This doesn't bother me too much because I don't use 28mm that much, and when I do, it's usually to "shoot from the hip" using scale focusing so accurate framing is not that important. Still very useful for 35mm and higher focal lengths.
http://www.unicircuits.com/shop/pro...d=112&osCsid=a5b499d5606bce5cd75ea8aaaeca292e
You don't actually lose the 28mm framelines, but it does make them harder to see since the magnifier makes it necessary to move your eye around in order to see the whole frame. This doesn't bother me too much because I don't use 28mm that much, and when I do, it's usually to "shoot from the hip" using scale focusing so accurate framing is not that important. Still very useful for 35mm and higher focal lengths.
tajart
ancien
diopters
diopters
i remember seeing a thread a while back discussing this topic and referencing nikon diopters that fit the rd1... my search yielded pages and pages of threads on this topic. some recommend contacting stephen about what he might have available. the b&h catalog has quite a range of diopters...http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/7752/Viewing_Accessories_Diopters.html
diopters
i remember seeing a thread a while back discussing this topic and referencing nikon diopters that fit the rd1... my search yielded pages and pages of threads on this topic. some recommend contacting stephen about what he might have available. the b&h catalog has quite a range of diopters...http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/7752/Viewing_Accessories_Diopters.html
Burkey
Well-known
Thanks for the tips on tracking down the Megaperls. I thought I was "top shelf" in Google searches. Maybe my spelling abilities were not up to the task. 
Regardless, thanks.
. . . Burkey
Regardless, thanks.. . . Burkey