Screwed up?

[froyd]

A few newbie questions...

I scrambled to put together a basic rangefinder kit before leaving for vacation [which is where I am now] and I was not been able to put all the elements together until I was sitting on the plane. After the good advice received on this forum, I had purchased an R2a from CQ, an I 61 L/Dfrom Fedka, and an M/LTM adapter from some camera store in NY that I cannot remember.

Well, long story short, everything is working out great, BUT:

- The adapter was very hard to insert
- The lens' scales (f/ and m) are facing down when the lense is fully screwed in the adapter. Is this normal? Could there be a defect with the adapter?
- The RF patch is not fully alligned when the lens is set to infinity. However, the first batch of pictures is focused correctly, even when the lens was fully opened. Is this a common problem?



When I return I promise some first hand impressions of my combo from the perspective of an unrepented SLR afecionado.


Until then, thanks for the insights.

 

[Terao]

Did you attach the adapter to the lens or the body? You should attach it to the lens first. If the scales are facing fully down it sounds like you have it aligned incorrectly (not sure how you could do that though). its normal for the scale to not necessarily be completely in line as it would be on an M-mount lens, but certainly shouldn't be upside down...

 

[back alley]

should a guy named froyd start a thread named 'screwed up?'

😉

 

[dostacos]

should a guy named froyd start a thread named 'screwed up?'

😉

ah, nope....😱

 

[Todd.Hanz]

sometimes those LM adapters can be kinda screwy, none of mine line up the way you'd think they should.

 

[luketrash]

The only LTM adapter I've seen was a Voigtlander brand one on a Skopar 35mm and the numbers lined up on top, perfectly.

I'm in the camp that thinks you mighta put the adapter on the camera wrong (thus the toughness at which it installed...)

Hopefully it is easy to get back off.

 

[froyd]

Given that the adapter is the only item of dubious origin (the only markings on it are 'M3' and 'Japan') I think I might have a dodgy one. I screwed the lense on the adapter a couple of times and it always lines up at the same upside down position.

The bayonet part of the adapter was hard to install as well, and I had to install that to the camera first, before screwing on the lens. When I get back to the states I'll look for a quality adapter.

In terms of the RF focusing issue, do you guys think that the adapter could be at fault as well?

 

[BillBingham2]

Could be either the adapter or the lens. My gut tells me it's the adapter. I lend you one to try when you get back, where do you live? If you want, I have a 50mm attached to a Fed2 I can test with the adapter and send along so you can test it on your adapter if you want.

Not a good way to start RF life, but many of us have hit these bumps before. Let me know.

B2 (;->

 

[froyd]

Thanks for the offer to send the adapter to try out. I think I'll just order a new one from a reputable seller since I'll probably want to buy more LTM lenses soon and will want separate adapters for each. If the focus problem does not go away, I'll have the local repair shop give the lens a look.

 

[froyd]

Roland, can you point me to a guide of where the screws are located and how to adjust them? I'm afraid I don't know what the flange screws are. Looking at the I61, I see screws at the base (near the thread mount) and tiny screws on the barrel.

 

[Kim Coxon]

Full details on the I61 are on my website here. http://www.pentax-manuals.com/repairs/i6ldservice.pdf

I don't think the rear flange is the problem as it is independant od the mounting thread and it's sole purpose is to retain the lens mount ring. This is single threaded and it's position is governed by the guide pin. Unless someone has done something very wacky, it shouldn't affect it.

If the "numbers" were in the 1 oclock (looking from the front) I would suspect that the focus helix on the lens was out but in this case, I would place good odds on the fact that the adapter is at fault.

Kim

Roland, can you point me to a guide of where the screws are located and how to adjust them? I'm afraid I don't know what the flange screws are. Looking at the I61, I see screws at the base (near the thread mount) and tiny screws on the barrel.