koni-omega rangefinder w/ 58mm

[vitaly66]

Hi everyone,

Recently I obtained a 58mm lens for my Rapid Omega 100 and have a question about its operation.

Up to what near-focusing distance should the rangefinder continue to operate with this lens?

On my camera, it appears that the rangefinder "disengages" at any distance closer than about 3 feet (as indicated on the 58mm scale on the side of the focusing knob). Even though the focusing panel and knob still have quite a bit of additional extension/travel available, the rangefinder itself does not continue to follow it for any closer focus.

Is this normal? Perhaps it is, because the 58mm scale on the focusing knob does not have any markings closer than 3.5 feet. On the other hand, it seems a pity to be unable to accurately focus this lens at the closer distances it could achieve.

Thanks for your help!

Vitaly
http://incidence.copperisle.com/

 

[historicist]

I don't know about the Koni Omega, but this kind of behaviour with wide angle lenses is very common on rangefinders. Wide angle lenses can usually focus very close, but it's very difficult to make a rangefinder that can work accurately for close focus.

The lens will disengage from the rangefinder so that it is still possible to use the close focus capabilities even if the rangefinder only goes down to a metre or so.

This at least has always been my experience with wide angle lenses on Leica.

 

[IK13]

I have to remember to look. 3.5 feet though doesn't sound too awful though.

 

[IK13]

Yup. It disengages at about that distance...