Misaligned viewfinder patch?

[barrykawa]

I was looking at a used RD-1 at a camera store here in Tokyo today and noticed something interesting. They want 120,000 yen (about $1,100) for the RD-1 and the fitted case.
But in looking through the viewfinder, the focusing patch is noticeably left of center. It becomes really noticeable with the 50mm framelines selected, then it is way left of center. This is without a lens on the camera, but I assume it should still be centered.
I showed it to the store manager, who shrugged and agreed that it was off-center, but that was about it. With the language barrier, I couldn't ask him about it.
Needless to say, I decided to pass on it, although I would love to buy it.
Is this a fixable problem? Or some kind of strange parallax thing with no lens on the camera? Or even make a difference? That Epson has been there a while, and at that price, I'm sure it will be there for a while.
Thanks!

 

[1948nikon]

RF Patch

RF Patch

You really need to have a lens mounted before you can draw any conclusion on the patch.

 

[cam]

um, just picked up my R-D1 with no lens on it.... the VF patch IS off to the left.

 

[blackwave]

It's the same for the Voightlander Bessa series. What you're seeing is the parallax correction. If you mount a lens and adjust focus, you'll see things moving around in there.. totally normal for this camera.

 

[LCT]

In fact the focus patch stays in place in the center of the viewfinder. Only the framelines move for parallax correction.

 

[barrykawa]

Thanks! Good to know. The store manager looked as baffled as I did to why there appeared to be a problem. Maybe I can go back and bargain him down now on it. But if I want to try a lens on it, I'll have to bring my own.

 

[cam]

it's funny -- i had honestly never looked through the VF without a lens before.... i took off the 135 i put on to prove focusing last night and was too lazy to stick something else on. it was kind of cool, other than being laughed at when i tried to focus a lens that wasn't there 🙄

but, yeah, definitely bring your own lens to test it out (i'd bring my own card as well, so you can check out the images on a larger screen). if you're trying to barter down, bring the grungiest or cheapest lens you can. although, frankly, i think the price is pretty sweet.