R2A focus issues?

[morgan]

So I've had my used R2A for maybe a month or so now, and I've had a real hard time getting sharp shots out of it, especially at closer subjects. I've shot several rolls and I've had some real mixed results. Most shots seem really soft, kind of out of focus. I've shot a few different lenses with it, with similar results, although if i stop down and the subject is further out, things seem get a bit sharper. But it's odd. Throw into the mix the ultron I recently received, which also could be contributing to the softness, but I've used it on my bessa-r (only a few test shots) and it seemed ok. I would think that this is a lens issue, but it's happening across lenses (except my 15mm, which seems to do pretty well). I'm getting a little frustrated with it, should I send the body out for adjustment? if so, any suggestions? I still have my bessa-r, so i might go back to that for the time being, but I've really gotten used to AE...

 

[pvdhaar]

First, you need to track the source of your trouble..

Use a modern lens (Voigtlander/Leica/Konica etc..) for testing. Some older FSU lenses (even if they can be mounted) are not made to focus correctly on modern bodies. Others have distance indications on the barrel that are, let's say, sort of approximate..

A quick way to find out whether the RF is aligned, is to first focus at something very far away, and check the lens barrel reading. Should read infinity. Then take a ruler, put something at 2meters and focus on that with the film plane marking at the zero point of the ruler. Check the lens barrel reading. Should indicate 2meters. Make sure that when you check focus, you have the camera parallel to the subject and use the exact middle of the RF spot. A downward tilted RF spot will front focus if you align along the top edge and back focus if you align along the bottom edge.

Another caveat is that some lenses can focus closer than the RF mechanism is specified for. I believe that the RF roller on the R2a starts to disengage at 0.7 meters. At this distance, the RF isn't reliable anymore..

 

[morgan]

Thanks for info. Using my 35mm ultron, both tests show it's way off. The 2m test focuses at 1.2 and the infinity test (object about 200 yards or so shows about 5m. One thing, I'm using the cv LTM to M adapater. I'm not sure if that plays into it. So I've done some minor adjustments on aligning the patch, but I'm not sure how to fix this. Is there a guide somewhere or should i take it in?

 

[morgan]

Thanks Brian. Yeah, the lens works fine on the R. I guess I'll have to take it in. I think I have a local place that has a place they send stuff to, but does anybody have any recommendations?

 

[morgan]

Well, if I were going to adjust it myself, how hard is it? I was able to adjust the focus patch myself when I first got the camera. If it's no more difficult than that, I could probably do it.

 

[pvdhaar]

Thanks for info. Using my 35mm ultron, both tests show it's way off. The 2m test focuses at 1.2 and the infinity test (object about 200 yards or so shows about 5m. One thing, I'm using the cv LTM to M adapater. I'm not sure if that plays into it. So I've done some minor adjustments on aligning the patch, but I'm not sure how to fix this. Is there a guide somewhere or should i take it in?

This is indeed way off.. At that distance, the accuracy should be in the order of an inch or so..

But what minor adjustments have you done? Could it be that you did some vertical re-alignment without again realigning horizontal?

 

[morgan]

It's possible. When i got the camera (used), the focus patch was misaligned. So I went in an adjusted the screws so that the patch was sharp again, but I probably didn't take into account front or back focus. Those two screws seemed to just move the patch up/down left right. So how should I do this? Set it up at 2m, then realign the patch to match that?

 

[Spyderman]

Seems you'll have to recalibrate it from scratch...

Try to search something on the web... and there are also some threads about it here at RFF. Basically it's not difficult, but it takes a looong time to move something and check what effect it had...

You should repeatedly check infinity and 1m and slowly step by step adjust it.

Moving the rear part of the black "arm" to right and left adjusts distance, moving it front or back adjusts "close focus to infinity" relationship. One of the screws adjusts vertical alignment.
If possible try not to loosen the main securing screw, but use just stronger pressure of a screwdriver to move the arm because when tightening it in the end you might misalign it again.

 

[ferider]

Thanks for info. Using my 35mm ultron, both tests show it's way off. The 2m test focuses at 1.2 and the infinity test (object about 200 yards or so shows about 5m. One thing, I'm using the cv LTM to M adapater. I'm not sure if that plays into it. So I've done some minor adjustments on aligning the patch, but I'm not sure how to fix this. Is there a guide somewhere or should i take it in?

It's possible. When i got the camera (used), the focus patch was misaligned. So I went in an adjusted the screws so that the patch was sharp again, but I probably didn't take into account front or back focus. Those two screws seemed to just move the patch up/down left right. So how should I do this? Set it up at 2m, then realign the patch to match that?

Morgan,

I'm not sure I understand. You said you calibrated infinity, and above you
said the Ultron is far off at infinity.

I recommend to follow Brian's suggestion and have a professional do it.
Many threads describe how "easy" Bessa or RD1 calibration is, but it's
really not. Many other threads describe how quickly the RF gets out
of whack again. Even once it's calibrated right (3 screws adjusted
in the lengthy process that Ondrej describes), the screws
have to be fixed in place with lock-tite or nail polish or they will be off
very soon after. Bessa RFs tend to drift after adjustment.

Sorry to hear about your problems, its a great camera.

Roland.

 

[morgan]

I thought I did calibrate it at infinity, but I don't remember now. I took the camera on vacation the last two weeks and it may have gotten jostled around. If it was just adjusting the screws with the lens set for specific distances, then I think I could do it, but I'm nervous about messing around too much in there. I'm likely to make it worse. 🙂 I think I'll take it in somewhere, but hate being without it.

Roland, I do like the R2A a lot, but maybe I should save up for a ZI or used M7.