Range finder alignement

[bentheshark]

I've just acquired a (lightly used) R3A and have shoot three rolls on it. It is my first RF camera and I am just beginning to get a grasp at focusing it. So far, I absolutely love it! Though, a fair number of my shots have come out with the focus slight off what I had intended. I am shooting with the 40mm Nokton lens at f1.4, which I know can have a pretty unforgiving depth of field. But, I am wondering if there is more than just the short depth of field working against me.

I've noticed that the vertical alignment of the RF spot seems to be off. This vertical misalignment is pretty constant. I've seen links to articles on how to correct this. Are those fixes something that can be tackled pretty easily by someone new to the camera, or is fixing the vertical alignment best left to a pro?

I am also noticing that that horizontal alignment is off when I try to focus on objects far away. Even when I set the lens to infinity, objects far away remained horizontally out of alignment where I looks like the lens would need to rotate a bit more before objects very far away would be in alignment. Is this normal, or is my horizontal alignment off too?

Thank you for any help!

 

[sauerwald]

Shark
I have an R2M which had a vertical misalignment of the rangefinder. I sent it in for adjustment, and after quite a while was told that the whole rangefinder would require replacement, which was a quite expensive repair. Hopefully your experience will be better.

 

[john_s]

Shark
I have an R2M which had a vertical misalignment of the rangefinder. I sent it in for adjustment, and after quite a while was told that the whole rangefinder would require replacement, which was a quite expensive repair. Hopefully your experience will be better.

This is weird. Surely an adjustment would have been possible? Had the camera been dropped or something?

 

[ferider]

If the Nokton is your only M/LTM lens, I recommend to have somebody else do it. The focus through of the Nokton is very short, too short for an easy DIY job, IMO.

There are instructions on the web, if you want to try anyways. Mechanically an easy job, but you need something to compare to (like the focus scale of a long-throw lens). Let us know.

Best,

Roland.

 

[sauerwald]

This is weird. Surely an adjustment would have been possible? Had the camera been dropped or something?

I am assuming that the camera must have had a shock. The damage came while I was on a trip in Guatemala, and the camera was being carried in a backpack. There wasn't a drop which I was aware of, but the backpack certainly was jostled around. I am giving the CV a pass on this one - and will see how the camera holds up when I get it back. Most of my photography is with LF, and I got the rangefinder specifically as something that could be carried around on trips and be less delicate. I also have a Canon Cannonet QL17 which had been my take-anywhere camera, and it has never given me issues. I went to the CV because I wanted interchangeable lenses, but if it turns out to be too delicate, I will get rid of it, and just be happy with the 40mm on the Canon.

 

[bentheshark]

Eeek....I hope this is something adjustable. I'd hate to be in for a new rangefinder right off the bat. The 40mm is my only lens. It seems like I should start researching some local shops that can work on rangefinders.

 

[chris00nj]

For the Bessa you need some tiny phillips head screwdrivers... small than you may already have. It's smaller than a #0, probably a #000, which you can get at Sears for a couple bucks, but it's worthwhile so you don't strip the head.