My Bessa R

nightbreed · 31st March 2004

Try as I might, I cannot seem to get a clear/sharp picture in my viewfinder. Is this the RF alignment problem that I've read about?

If I compose a landscape shot, I can get my vertical lines (x-axis) aligned. But I cannot get the top and bottom (or y-axis) aligned. I am in the middle of my 1st roll of slides so cannot see if there's a focusing problem.

Also, what does it mean when they say 'if the picture is sharp at infinity'? If I push my focusing ring all the way to the end (infinity sign is aligned with white dot on DOF scale) until it stops moving, is that focusing at infinity? If I do that, I don;t get a sharp image. I'm using a 28/3.5 and can only get a sharper image between the 6m and infinity mark. (Of course, my y-axis is still not sharp.)

So what's happening? Is it my eyes or what? Because I brought up this phenomenon to the guy I bought it from, and he said there's no problem.

pipefish · 1st April 2004

From what you have described, I think your RF alignment is off. Normally the checklist for RF is check x axis and y axis and focussing at infinity. They should all line up properly. You can take a look at www.cameraquest.com (see the section on what to do before buying a Leica M used) for other checks to make when buying RFs.

At the risk of sounding silly, when you focus at infinity, your subject must also be at infinity. On my lens, that is anything more than 10/15 m. Sorry if you knew that.

Good luck!

sfhuang · 1st April 2004

I don't quite understand. Are you saying that when you focus on infinity (the distance marker on the lens ring points at infinity mark) the image in the viewfinder is blur? If that's the case, the lens has a serious problem!

RemAcuTetigisti · 1st April 2004

Originally Posted by sfhuang

I don't quite understand. Are you saying that when you focus on infinity (the distance marker on the lens ring points at infinity mark) the image in the viewfinder is blur? If that's the case, the lens has a serious problem!

SFHuang: They are discussing Rangefinders. I do not use RF's but I know that, what you see in the Viewfinder is not related to the lens.

NightBreed: Suggest you take your camera to a decent repair shop (Camera workshop is one) and get it assessed by the technician. Get it set and you will be able to shoot in peace.

sfhuang · 1st April 2004

Originally Posted by RemAcuTetigisti

SFHuang: They are discussing Rangefinders. I do not use RF's but I know that, what you see in the Viewfinder is not related to the lens.

paiseh.

nightbreed · 1st April 2004

Ok, I actually have a Bessa R, bought new just on Tuesday with a 28/3.5. However I try, I cannot get a sharp image in the central focus zone. Vertical lines, like edges of buildings and capital letters L, I, F etc, I can align properly. But horizontals, like the horizontal line in H and T are off. I see two horizontal lines for the letters H and T. (This is the best eg. I can give! Hope you know what I'm talking about)

Anyway, I brought up the matter to the guy I bought it from and he asked me to bring it down and asked me to choose from the others in stock. Problem is, I put in a roll of Sensia 100 and now the film guide rails have got what feels like small pits (3-4) in them! .....

nightbreed · 1st April 2004

Oh and the thing about focusing at infinity -

"Are you saying that when you focus on infinity (the distance marker on the lens ring points at infinity mark) the image in the viewfinder is blur?" - sfhuang

Yes, that's what I'm saying. If I focus at something beyond 6m (after the 6 on the focusing ring is the infinity mark) on my VC 28/3.5, i can only get a clear image somewhere between the 6m and the infinity mark on the focusing index. How?

pipefish · 2nd April 2004

Since your camera is new, and presumably covered by a guarantee, why not exchange it? I would however, be very suspicious of any salesman/shop who says that RF misalignment, whether vertical or horizontal, is 'normal'.

nightbreed · 2nd April 2004

...er...he didn't say it's normal. He just couldn't see anything wrong with it.

Keltzar · 2nd April 2004

there were reports of some "R" with a vertical alignment problem. ...but its mostly an irritation than anything else because most of your focusing can be done with the horizontal alignment. But if its new and under warranty, try another piece.

My "R" is my favourite film camera right now - more than my bessaflex!

nightbreed · 2nd April 2004

Good news! I got it replaced and now it's fine! Thank you all for your help!

morganoh · 4th April 2004

Originally Posted by nightbreed

Good news! I got it replaced and now it's fine! Thank you all for your help!

May I know when you said you got it replace, does it means that you change a new Body, or you have it send for tuning/repair?

I have an R myself, but I do not know how to check if the alignment is ok.

Can you advice me where to send it for checking and repair?

nightbreed · 4th April 2004

morganoh,

I got the whole thing replaced. I give him the problematic one, he gave me a new one back. Good, yah? That's why I'm happy. Anyway, you can go and have yours checked at The Camera Workshop. That's near Ruby in Excelsior Hotel.

But if you have an R and see no problem with it (i.e, your subject is sharp when you focus), then why send it in?

31st March 2004	#1
nightbreed Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 100	My Bessa R Try as I might, I cannot seem to get a clear/sharp picture in my viewfinder. Is this the RF alignment problem that I've read about? If I compose a landscape shot, I can get my vertical lines (x-axis) aligned. But I cannot get the top and bottom (or y-axis) aligned. I am in the middle of my 1st roll of slides so cannot see if there's a focusing problem. Also, what does it mean when they say 'if the picture is sharp at infinity'? If I push my focusing ring all the way to the end (infinity sign is aligned with white dot on DOF scale) until it stops moving, is that focusing at infinity? If I do that, I don;t get a sharp image. I'm using a 28/3.5 and can only get a sharper image between the 6m and infinity mark. (Of course, my y-axis is still not sharp.) So what's happening? Is it my eyes or what? Because I brought up this phenomenon to the guy I bought it from, and he said there's no problem.

1st April 2004	#2
pipefish Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 347	From what you have described, I think your RF alignment is off. Normally the checklist for RF is check x axis and y axis and focussing at infinity. They should all line up properly. You can take a look at www.cameraquest.com (see the section on what to do before buying a Leica M used) for other checks to make when buying RFs. At the risk of sounding silly, when you focus at infinity, your subject must also be at infinity. On my lens, that is anything more than 10/15 m. Sorry if you knew that. Good luck! Last edited by pipefish; 1st April 2004 at 01:53 PM.

1st April 2004	#3
sfhuang Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 972	I don't quite understand. Are you saying that when you focus on infinity (the distance marker on the lens ring points at infinity mark) the image in the viewfinder is blur? If that's the case, the lens has a serious problem!

2nd April 2004	#8
pipefish Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 347	Since your camera is new, and presumably covered by a guarantee, why not exchange it? I would however, be very suspicious of any salesman/shop who says that RF misalignment, whether vertical or horizontal, is 'normal'.

2nd April 2004	#10
Keltzar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: West Posts: 3,161	there were reports of some "R" with a vertical alignment problem. ...but its mostly an irritation than anything else because most of your focusing can be done with the horizontal alignment. But if its new and under warranty, try another piece. My "R" is my favourite film camera right now - more than my bessaflex!

4th April 2004	#13
nightbreed Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 100	morganoh, I got the whole thing replaced. I give him the problematic one, he gave me a new one back. Good, yah? That's why I'm happy. Anyway, you can go and have yours checked at The Camera Workshop. That's near Ruby in Excelsior Hotel. But if you have an R and see no problem with it (i.e, your subject is sharp when you focus), then why send it in?