Troubles with close focusing on R-D1

[pfogle]

Didier, a couple of points: I have read elsewhere that the 50mm lenses from FSU countries have a slightly longer focal length than the German ones, so the thread to the focus cam is a bit different. If true, all these lenses will close-focus a bit at the near focus end. My experience is that they are out by about 50mm at 1m.

Also, there was a recent thread I read that claimed that the cam on the R-D1 suffers from a bit of backlash, and you can get more consistent focus if you always focus from the close focus end of the scale - in other words, start with the focus ring at the near-focus end and bring the lens back to the correct focus position. I haven't tried this myself, but it would be interesting to test out this theory.

Sorry, I don't have the original posts, perhaps someone else can help out here?

Phil

 

[Jim Watts]

Not wanting to complicate things too much, but I have a couple of lenses that focus perfectly in the 'wide open shot of the ruler' test, and several others that close focus to varying degrees. So it may be that with a perfect rf alignment, there still will be a need to get the lenses adjusted to spec as well. Am I right on this? Anybody else have similar experience?

Cheers,
Kirk

Kirk,
I have this problem with my 35mm Cron reported in this thread sometime ago: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3936&highlight=Summicrons

As you will see in the thread rangefinder alingments were fine and the lens focuses perfectly on my Leica M4 but not on the R-D1. If I were to have the lens cam adjusted for the R-D1 it almost certainly would not be correct for the M4.

As you can also see the same problem was also present with my friends 35mm Cron, his was 4th type mine 3rd type. My 21mm Avenon also gives a slight front focus problem as well (this has been reported by others also), but DOF covers sufficiently this even at full aperture. My 28mm VC Ultron, 50mm Cron and 90mm Tele-Elmarit all focus perfectly at both close-up and distance.

There was a bit more discussion on this problem in some other threads also with a few other lenses mentioned. Others have reported their 35mm ASPH Crons do not have the problem. My and some others conclusion in the end was it must be to do with how the camera Cam Follower on the R-D1 engages the cam on certain lenses, but I can find no definative reason. I have just learnt to live with it.

Jim

 

[rvaubel]

As you will see in the thread rangefinder alingments were fine and the lens focuses perfectly on my Leica M4 but not on the R-D1. If I were to have the lens cam adjusted for the R-D1 it almost certainly would not be correct for the M4.........

My 21mm Avenon also gives a slight front focus problem as well (this has been reported by others also), but DOF covers sufficiently this even at full aperure..........

Others have reported their 35mm ASPH Crons do not have the problem. My and some others conclusion in the end was it must be to do with how the camera Cam Follower on the R-D1 engages the cam on certain lenses, but I can find no definative reason. I have just learnt to live with it.

Jim

I tested all my lenses both at near focus and infinity. It seems the Kobulux 21mm was the only one that was off (4" at 3 feet) but it hardly mattered because of the huge DOF. The other lenses were either spot on or off so little that subject and camera movement would be more of a concern.

It occurred to me that I have become more critical of rangefinder focus issues since I purchased the RD1. I never went to the extremes of testing that I have with my RD1. Part of that testing is in response to a legitimate QA issue with regards to rangefinder alignment. But part of the reason for all this testing of lenses on the RD1 is that IT'S SO DARN EASY! Lets face it, digital files are so much easier to review instantly. With film cameras, some of these tests would take days if not weeks to conclude.

Do you other RD1 users find yourself testing lenses more frequently than you did with film?

Rex

 

[Fred]

I tested all my lenses both at near focus and infinity. It seems the Kobulux 21mm was the only one that was off (4" at 3 feet) but it hardly mattered because of the huge DOF. The other lenses were either spot on or off so little that subject and camera movement would be more of a concern.

It occurred to me that I have become more critical of rangefinder focus issues since I purchased the RD1. I never went to the extremes of testing that I have with my RD1. Part of that testing is in response to a legitimate QA issue with regards to rangefinder alignment. But part of the reason for all this testing of lenses on the RD1 is that IT'S SO DARN EASY! Lets face it, digital files are so much easier to review instantly. With film cameras, some of these tests would take days if not weeks to conclude.

Do you other RD1 users find yourself testing lenses more frequently than you did with film?

Rex

I think you summed this up very well. I've not run any ' RF test' shots through any of my RFs that just happen to be film based. The results I've got though have been good enough not to worry though so far. Given an R-D1 I guess I'd check everything as soon as possible purely because I could.

 

[Jim Watts]

Rex,
Yes I think you have hit the nail on the head. I own and have owned quite a number of film based rangefinder cameras from 35mm to 5 X 4 and like Tony I have always thought the results good enough (they perhaps may not be optimum?) not to worry about testing them. If I am using any of them with the lenses wide open I'm usually in such low light that I am also using low shutter speeds any lack of sharpness I atribute to subject movement (either blur or movement in and out of the DOF zone).

It was only when taking some close up portraits on my Cron wide open on the R-D1 that I thought that the focus point was not optimum. It was then so quick to check what was going on with the R-D1. Would I have done this if I had processed the film a day or two later?

I did after finding this check the lenses on my M4, but only to find if the problem was with the lens or the camera. My Mamiya 6, Plaubel W67 and Linhoff Technica 5x4 still remain unchecked.

"What me WORRIED"

Jim

 

[Erl]

Didier,

I have exactly the same problem. Mine was worse when I got it as the whole thing was out of whack. By following the advice on this forum I fixed the distance focus and patch alignment, but minimun focus wide open is still off.

I am accepting that fact as I am off in 9 days for a month in Morocco. Once the focus is 1.5m or more it seems OK. I will use my M7 & 6 for anything closer. I don't want to risk too much fiddling just before a trip as I have too much else distracting me now.

I would take the RD-1 as well as the M6 to China Didier. After all, how many minimum focus shots do you really expect to take?

Good luck for your trip.

Cheers,
Erl

 

[Erl]

Oopps! I just relized I only read your 1st post Didier. Good to now read you are properly aligned.

I will consider sending mine to DAG after my trip as there is no time now.:bang:

 

[fgianni]

Anyone in New York City that can do this?

Or even better in the UK, I have on ethat is slightly off, but I am not sure I am prepared to deal with all the grief that UK customs will produce for me.