Rangefinder calibration

[robert blu]

I'm curious to know among people using RF cameras (not collectors who leave it in a box or on a shelf) how often they need the have the RF to be re-aligned. or is any camera more "sensible" than others?
thanks

robert
PS: I hope this is the correct forum for this question.

 

[rbiemer]

Robert,
My experience is probably not typical but I am about to send my Bessa R2a off for the second time to have the RF aligned. Not because it's a bad camera but because I mistreated it (unintentionally). The first time was when my camera rode inside my camera bag on the back of a snowmobile across a jarring trail. I had my Bessa R around my neck and that camera was fine. The R2a was in my bag and that bounced around a lot.
The second time, again my fault, is because I dropped the darned thing as I was getting out of my car a couple weeks ago. I was trying to carry too much stuff and the strap was not wrapped around my hand as I thought it was. About three feet to the pavement. Nothing has actually broken, as far as I can tell, but the vertical alignment is off.
I don't think I'd have needed to have this done at all except for my clumsiness.
Rob

 

[robert blu]

Thanks for answer Rob, hmm it seems nobody has RF problems ! The reason for my question is that my experience with my Bessa R is similar to yours, no problems in almost 10 years I have it. But with the other camera I have RF calibration is necessary each 6-8 months. I take care of cameras but I use them and anyway I use the Bessa in the same way I use the other camera. I don't know if this is normal or ...
robert

 

[menos]

These are the most used bodies:

- M8.2 - daily user, needed RF calibration about every 6 months
- M9 - daily user, needed initial calibration, new out of box, had still issues a few weeks, aligned again and seems to be in line with the M8.2

I shoot mostly fast lenses and am quite critical about the alignment.
Would I shoot mainly stopped down, I might have never bothered with the RF alignment.

The cameras are daily in my office bag, dragged with me and get used mostly in the evening/ night. I treat my gear well, don't throw it around and look after it, don't baby the stuff though and certainly don't lock them behind glass.

 

[Frontman]

I have had several Leica M cameras, and all of them have required occasional adjustment. No big deal, I can do it myself in a few minutes. My old Contax II has never required adjustment, despite rough use. My older Japanese rangefinders seldom, if ever, require adjustment.