p.2 #1 · Focussing accuracy question, 35mm SLR vs Rangefinders?
Wondering if the backplate is not pressing the film flat to the gate? Think that could cause front focus. Can probably check on bulb with the lens removed. Either way, the focus is seriously off.
In my own experience the Leicas are no more reliable than semi-pro SLRs like FM/FE series. Financially speaking, it is probably cheaper and more convenient to buy spare SLR bodies than to service Leicas, which can take weeks to months and cost several £100.
If you're considering rangefinders, I'd recommend to start with a good condition M2 or M3 depending on your favourite focal length (35mm vs 50mm) paired with a Voigtlander lens.
p.2 #2 · Focussing accuracy question, 35mm SLR vs Rangefinders?
burchyk wrote:
Wondering if the backplate is not pressing the film flat to the gate? Think that could cause front focus. Can probably check on bulb with the lens removed. Either way, the focus is seriously off.
In my own experience the Leicas are no more reliable than semi-pro SLRs like FM/FE series. Financially speaking, it is probably cheaper and more convenient to buy spare SLR bodies than to service Leicas, which can take weeks to months and cost several £100.
If you're considering rangefinders, I'd recommend to start with a good condition M2 or M3 depending on your favourite focal length (35mm vs 50mm) paired with a Voigtlander lens....Show more →
Thank you very much and that's a brilliant suggestion that I never considered before. I already boxed it up and it's going back regardless but I should have checked that, maybe I will give it a quick re-test.
And you know you might be spot on because I felt that back case was a bit weird in that pressing it just a little made some sound and it gets pushed in a little further - letting go of the pressure and it pops back out a bit.
I reseated it a dozen times when testing the focus accuracy so it wouldn't have been fixed that way anyway.
My first one also makes a little popping sound but it requires more force on the back plate and seems more stable. I don't think my hand typically does this while taking a photo though so I dunno. I don't really understand how fixable that is either, there's not really much to adjust on the back cover. Maybe adding some material to the pressure plate would do it... but I don't want to do yet another rushed roll, this one has caused enough of a headache.
And thanks for the further warning on the leicas.... I'll definitely hold off until I know I can handle dealing with the hassle. And I'll just expect to have it too.
Also, it's kind of nice not having to carry too expensive of a camera+lens combo. It's more freeing, I'm less self-conscious. Even if I do still want one. A smaller 35/1.4, a small 28/2, a sharper and small 50mm...
I was thinking Sony A7cii or Nikon fm2n when out solo. M12 or MP when with friends/family might be nice but that's a lot of money that could be spent on trips, maybe it doesn't actually matter that much
I read this on it as well: https://jacktaka.com/focus-calibration - headache. He does mention that it seems they're getting a bit more consistent now. Though it doesn't help that I'm mainly interested in third party lenses to use with the the MP.
p.2 #3 · Focussing accuracy question, 35mm SLR vs Rangefinders?
Something looks seriously off with the focus. Having owned a dozen slrs over the years, I've never seen something like that. I've never owned a slr with focus alignment issues. I've had to realign two thirds of the range finders I've owned, though never tried a Leica.
p.2 #4 · Focussing accuracy question, 35mm SLR vs Rangefinders?
A diopter won't affect the focus accuracy right, with the split screen perhaps? I have a -2 on there.
It's just the first one had something similar in the beginning too...but the next roll or two came back mostly good after reseating the focussing screen.
I remember using the matte part of the screen for the portraits with the now working fm2n, and then I rushed to buy a backup when I saw it working as that was my only hangup. But I used the split screen very carefully both times with the backup that's going back.
My finger hovers over the buy button on a $1000+ fm2n after import tax in "unused" condition (though you can actually see use marks even under very diffused product photo lighting) with box and late s/n, but it seems kind of ridiculous. Want to be 100% sure over like 20 rolls then I'll try and find a reasonably priced mint one.
The first one 'only' cost me $355 and is late serial number, and great cosmetically. The one being returned was like $600 after import with a naff lens. All converted to USD from GBP.
p.2 #5 · Focussing accuracy question, 35mm SLR vs Rangefinders?
Yogifi wrote:
Thank you very much and that's a brilliant suggestion that I never considered before. I already boxed it up and it's going back regardless but I should have checked that, maybe I will give it a quick re-test.
And you know you might be spot on because I felt that back case was a bit weird in that pressing it just a little made some sound and it gets pushed in a little further - letting go of the pressure and it pops back out a bit.
I reseated it a dozen times when testing the focus accuracy so it wouldn't have been fixed that way anyway.
My first one also makes a little popping sound but it requires more force on the back plate and seems more stable. I don't think my hand typically does this while taking a photo though so I dunno. I don't really understand how fixable that is either, there's not really much to adjust on the back cover. Maybe adding some material to the pressure plate would do it... but I don't want to do yet another rushed roll, this one has caused enough of a headache.
And thanks for the further warning on the leicas.... I'll definitely hold off until I know I can handle dealing with the hassle. And I'll just expect to have it too.
Also, it's kind of nice not having to carry too expensive of a camera+lens combo. It's more freeing, I'm less self-conscious. Even if I do still want one. A smaller 35/1.4, a small 28/2, a sharper and small 50mm...
I was thinking Sony A7cii or Nikon fm2n when out solo. M12 or MP when with friends/family might be nice but that's a lot of money that could be spent on trips, maybe it doesn't actually matter that much
I read this on it as well: https://jacktaka.com/focus-calibration - headache. He does mention that it seems they're getting a bit more consistent now. Though it doesn't help that I'm mainly interested in third party lenses to use with the the MP....Show more →
All of my FE's have had a small amount of movement in the film door. My F2 and F3's do not. Never had an FE with focus problems though. Still, see if the plate on the problem FM2n is at least springy. It's easy enough to swap doors between the two if you wanted to shoot a test roll. I don't know if pressure plates can be installed upside down, but I distinctly remember reading a Richard Haw article where he mentions to remember to install the pressure plate the right way. So maybe?
Edit - never mind, a $600 FM2n shouldn't come with this level of hassle. Wash your hands and move on. And $1000 for an FM2n is FM3a money. And be careful with older mint cameras. You don't want something that's sat in a box for forty years and all the lubricants have either seized or migrated.
p.2 #6 · Focussing accuracy question, 35mm SLR vs Rangefinders?
Don't see how a diopter could affect the focal plane of the focusing screen.
I may be out of touch with the market for FM/FE series, but to me those prices don't look like a good value. Might be the hype tax for the mechanical shutter. I'd rather get an FE for under £200 and spend the rest on film and lenses.
