rd1 and summilux 75/1.4

J

jonnyrf

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Hi, I am considering buying a summilux 75/1.4 for this camera but am not sure if i am likely to have focusing problem. I read in some posts that it can be a bit hit/miss depending on the particular cameras alignment.

Anybody have any ideas?, or failing that know somewhere i could try it out before buying. I know it is discontinued but maybe some shops stil have them??

any ideas would be very grateful

jon
 
In terms of focusing, the CV 75 3.5 was a hit and miss for me, and the nokton 40 1.4 required a very well dialed up RF. Putting the two together sounds like a possible frustrating situation for the RD1s short base.

I have not used the two together, just going by my experience with the above!
 
My R-D1's rangefinder was not perfect in that it was off at close distances (less than 1 meter) and ever so slightly off at infinity. However, I used my 75 Summilux to take headshots for a friend and was able to get good focus most of the time at apertures of 1.4 and 2.0. I hand hold everything and was able to get accurate focus at 1.4 while shooting at night.

But I was doing all this with the Megaperls 1.3x magnifier. With it, I am able to focus the Noctilux very reliably. Now I keep it on the camera unless I am shooting with a 28mm lens.

The 75 Summilux is awesome at 1.4 and 2.0. To not be able to use the lens at these apertures would be missing the point of the lens, in my opinion.
 
jonnyrf said:
Hi, I am considering buying a summilux 75/1.4 for this camera but am not sure if i am likely to have focusing problem....
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The 75/1.4 cannot be focused accurately at full aperture due to the short base length of the R-D1 rangefinder. For good results, better use it at f/2.8, or f/2 if you have a VF magnifier.
Edit: For an RF accuracy chart, see http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=768531#post768531
 
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When I had the 75 Lux, I owned an R2A and an M6. I wasn't able to focus the Lux wide open reliably on the R2A, but could do so with the M6. Since the R2A and the R-D1 share similar finder characteristics, I would say that you wil have a difficult time. Yes, you could stop down, but that's not what you'd buy a 75 Lux for.
 
I am able to accurately focus the new 75mm Summarit @f2.5, its widest f-stop. I have a 90mm f2, which is very hard to focus reliably on the R-D1. 50mm Summilux f1.4 is hard, but doable.

/T
 
In my experience, with a German 75/1.4 lux I get about 75-85% accuracy at 1.4 with a new RD1s, and 99% at f2.0.

The German ones are built different, I won't say better, but different materials were used, and apparently they focus better.

I'd consider a couple of major factors - is the subject moving, or do you have some time to focus right? Do you have something of contrast to focus on?
 
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Thanks guys, i am getting the impression that i would be struggling with this cam/lens combination. The is a new thread started in this forum using math etc and i guess the baselength is just too much of a compromise.

I will just keep my eye out for a 60/1.2 konica hexanon, I assume this will be focusable a wide open and it should be a nice length on the rd1. Problem is you never see em for sale!!
 
jonnyrf said:
...I will just keep my eye out for a 60/1.2 konica hexanon, I assume this will be focusable a wide open...
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It would be difficult to focus as well i'm afraid. Would require 45mm EBL where you have only 38.2. Should do it with the 1.3x Megaperls magnifier though.
 
jonnyrf said:
Thanks guys, i am getting the impression that i would be struggling with this cam/lens combination. The is a new thread started in this forum using math etc and i guess the baselength is just too much of a compromise.

I will just keep my eye out for a 60/1.2 konica hexanon, I assume this will be focusable a wide open and it should be a nice length on the rd1. Problem is you never see em for sale!!
Click to expand...
Actually there was one on the Bay yesterday - sold for just over £1200🙂
 
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