Pusiek
Newbie
Hi,
I've heard that Zeiss Planar 50mm ZM f2 has some problems when focusing on infinity (people advice to shot at least at f5.6 as it is supposedly difficult to get a right reading). I have Bessa R3A and when I try to focus on infinity the rangefinder patch moves left, matches at certain point with viewfinder and then I can still rotate lens by just a bit till it hits the infinity mark and the patch goes slightly beyond the matching point. Now since there are issues with this lens when focusing at infinity I don't know if it is rangefinder that gives me a wrong reading when lens is set to infinity, or actually it is the lens that focuses at infinity just before the actual infinity point as marked on the lens barrel is reached. I don't have any other lens so I can't check.
Please could anyone of you take your Bessa R3A and make a similar test? Just put on one lens and set it to infinity, see if the patch matches at distant point (I was measuring it on something that was more then a mile away, checked it on stars as well) then put on Zeiss Planar 50mm ZM f2 and make the same test.
It is important for me to know as I can have my rangefinder aligned at infinity for this lens, but I don't know if the lens is in focus actually at that point + if it is not it would bias the closer distances focusing.
I'd really appreciate any help in this respect.
Best regards,
Piotrek
I've heard that Zeiss Planar 50mm ZM f2 has some problems when focusing on infinity (people advice to shot at least at f5.6 as it is supposedly difficult to get a right reading). I have Bessa R3A and when I try to focus on infinity the rangefinder patch moves left, matches at certain point with viewfinder and then I can still rotate lens by just a bit till it hits the infinity mark and the patch goes slightly beyond the matching point. Now since there are issues with this lens when focusing at infinity I don't know if it is rangefinder that gives me a wrong reading when lens is set to infinity, or actually it is the lens that focuses at infinity just before the actual infinity point as marked on the lens barrel is reached. I don't have any other lens so I can't check.
Please could anyone of you take your Bessa R3A and make a similar test? Just put on one lens and set it to infinity, see if the patch matches at distant point (I was measuring it on something that was more then a mile away, checked it on stars as well) then put on Zeiss Planar 50mm ZM f2 and make the same test.
It is important for me to know as I can have my rangefinder aligned at infinity for this lens, but I don't know if the lens is in focus actually at that point + if it is not it would bias the closer distances focusing.
I'd really appreciate any help in this respect.
Best regards,
Piotrek
mfogiel
Veteran
Piotrek,
From my experience, you are 10 times more likely to have the alignment problem with the RF than with a lens. My Planar focuses perfectly on the R3A , even at f 2.0, and any other body I have or have had. If you have another lens to compare it to, then verify the problem this way, if not, open the lens to f2.0, set the focus to infinity ON THE LENS, shoot some photos of very distant objects, develop the film and see if it is sharp. BTW, you have not answered my PM.
From my experience, you are 10 times more likely to have the alignment problem with the RF than with a lens. My Planar focuses perfectly on the R3A , even at f 2.0, and any other body I have or have had. If you have another lens to compare it to, then verify the problem this way, if not, open the lens to f2.0, set the focus to infinity ON THE LENS, shoot some photos of very distant objects, develop the film and see if it is sharp. BTW, you have not answered my PM.