R-D1 and 90 mm lens

[kshapero]

My CV 90mm seems hard to focus just right on the R-d1. I kind of figured it would be hard. Anyone else have similar focus problem?

 

[noimmunity]

Yup, same here when I shoot the 90/2.8 M-Hex wide open. The long throw of the Nikkor 85/2 seems to help somewhat in nailing it down, but I can't confirm that as I haven't done any rigorous tests.

I can't reliably 100% focus the Nokton 35/1.2 wide open, either, for that matter. The RD-1 has a short base length.

I picked up a 1.33 magnifier from another member, but I don't use it cause I prefer to have more space outside the framelines and I didn't notice a great improvement in accuracy, either. Send me a pm if you're interested.

 

[sabrewolf]

My 90mm elmarit-m focus is spot on, the problem is with the framing which is trial and error sometime.

 

[Darren Abate]

I've found that when shooting my 35/1.2 wide open on my R-D1, it's best to approach the focus point from the near side and stop just as soon as the patch clicks into sharp (maybe even a nanometer before). Never go past and come back from the far side of the focus. You might try some tests with that method and see if it helps.

Just my 2-cents

Yup, same here when I shoot the 90/2.8 M-Hex wide open. The long throw of the Nikkor 85/2 seems to help somewhat in nailing it down, but I can't confirm that as I haven't done any rigorous tests.

I can't reliably 100% focus the Nokton 35/1.2 wide open, either, for that matter. The RD-1 has a short base length.

I picked up a 1.33 magnifier from another member, but I don't use it cause I prefer to have more space outside the framelines and I didn't notice a great improvement in accuracy, either. Send me a pm if you're interested.

 

[yanidel]

I focus both the 90mm Elmar and 85mm Jupiter 9 with ease. Of course, this gets difficult when you shoot a moving subject that is very close, but apart from that, I get most pictures in focus. I even use the 135mm Jupiter 11, my success rate on this one is 75% though it is very hard to have very sharp images with that lens.

 

[Didier]

Focusing a lens longer than 50mm is a hit & miss experience with the R-D1, dued to the rangefinder design with it's rather short baselength. Recently I even tried a 135mm lens in a concert hall, see my PAW's alternates 23a, b and c.

I did some test shots first and then zoomed into on the LCD. Once I had found the right focus, I kept it until the end of the concert. Hm, not a really efficient and fast shooting style 🙂
Didier

 

[JNewell]

A 135mm on the RD-1 is bold indeed (effectively ~200mm)! Even with longer baselength rangefinders in the M, Leica cut off the RF lenses at 135mm and 200mm was reflex territory.

You folks using 90mms - are you using accessory finders in the shoe?

 

[kshapero]

If my subject is 30 or so feet away I am ok shooting at infinity. No Accessory finder here.

 

[noimmunity]

I use both the LCD and an external VF, a 1:1 135mm VF with parallax compensation made by Komura.

Darren's suggestion is a good one, and I've used it on my 2.8-optimized version of the C Sonnar.

My problems in focusing with the RD-1 have almost all been with stage bands, when light is low, subjects are close and moving, and I'm possibly swaying with the groove (hahaha)... With the Ikon in the same circs, I rarely miss.

 

[Tuolumne]

I had a very hard time focusing my 90mm M-Hexanon on the R-D1. Most shots were out of focus. This was wide open in theater and concert shooting @ ISO 1600. I switched to a 75mm f2.5 Summarit which I find much easier to shoot on the R-D1 wide open. Most shots in focus. I don't have any problem guestimating the framing with either the 75mm or 90mm on the R-D1. It helps to chimp to double check. But once I ace the framing for a particular shoot I find it easily repeatable for the rest of the shoot.

/T

 

[Johnmcd]

I've posted this before, but even though the J9 85mm F2 can be a bit hit 'n miss, it can produce some nice results.

And I'm not to sure if the problem isn't just with my lens which I dismantled and re-lubed myself.

Cheers,

John

 

[kds315]

For that one I was using the Minolta CL 4/90mm wide open @ ISO1600 at a Jocelyn B. Smith concert....not really a problem to get sharp shots, most unsharpness was due to movements (no flash used, just stage lighting).