[Leica] Re: Min. focus accuracy of Leica lenses and the Hexar RF

["Sal DiMarco,Jr." <sdmp007@pressroom.com>]

Akhil,
    Sorry, I can't be of any help here.... My opinion of the Konica Hexar is
that it was a poorly made piece when compared to a real M camera and did
offer enough features over an M camera for me to consider it.
    Maybe someone else can help you.
Good Luck,
Sal
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Akhil Lal" <akhil.lal@bcc.cuny.edu>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>; "Dan Honemann" <ddh@home.com>;
<TTAbrahams@aol.com>; "Erwin Puts" <imxputs@knoware.nl>; <leica@topica.com>;
"Sal DiMarco, Jr." <sdmp007@pressroom.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2001 6:29 PM
Subject: Re: Min. focus accuracy of Leica lenses and the Hexar RF


> Recently, there was a thread regarding the Hexar on the Rollei list.
>
> Bob Shell, former editor of Shutterbug, stated that Konica have
> intentionally set the Hexar's back focus to be 0.01mm/0.01inch (it was
> not clear which) longer than the Leica M's. I assume he got this
> information from official sources.
>
> Another list member stated that Konica UK have acknowledged this
> difference and, upon request, will adjust the backfocus of the Hexar
> body to Leica M specs. Then the Hexar lenses need to have their infinity
> stops adjusted to focus properly on the readjusted Hexar body.
>
> Please note I have no firsthand knowledge of this  - I'm only reporting
> what was posted on the RUG.
>
> Tom A., Erwin, Sal D., LUG'ers/LEG'ers with "inside" info, can you shed
> further light on this issue ?
>
> Regards,
> Akhil
>
> Dan Honemann wrote:
> >
> > When shooting some test slides (velvia, if it matters) with my new Hexar
RF
> > and 35/1.4 asph, 75/1.4, and 50/2, I noticed that all three lenses focus
> > closer than their min. focus mark on the lens.  I also noticed that the
> > Hexar rangefinder does not register the last 1/8" turn toward the
closest
> > distance.  My .72x M6 TTL rangefinder does move through the entire
range,
> > however.
> >
> > The results of my first test--a ruler and newsprint at a 45 degree
angle,
> > widest f-stop and min. focus distance for each lens, focused on the 6"
mark
> > on the ruler (shot with tripod and cable release, of course)--show that
the
> > 35 and 50 are right on the money with the M6, but the 75 consistently
> > focuses on the 4" mark instead.  The Hexar RF, on the other hand, is
> > consistently off by 1.5" (too close), with sharpest focus at the 3 1/2"
mark
> > with each lens.  (By the way, I often shoot wide open, and very often at
> > min. focus, so these aren't just trivial tests for me.)
> >
> > I performed the first round of tests with the SF 20 flash, and the Hexar
> > slides were a bit overexposed, so I just did a second round with natural
> > light.  That's when I noticed that the Hexar rangefinder does not engage
> > with the last small twist of the focus ring toward closest distance.
I'll
> > shoot a few frames with the lens set at the closest distance mark
tomorrow
> > as well, to see if this makes a difference.  I should have results back
by
> > Thursday.
> >
> > I'm left with the following questions for now:
> >
> > 1. Does the fact that the lenses turn past the 2.5" (or min. focus
distance
> > mark) printed on their barrels mean that anything closer than this mark
is
> > up for grabs?  Should I consciously keep from turning their focus
ring/tab
> > all the way?
> >
> > 2. If only the 75 mis-focuses on my M6, does that mean I should have the
> > lens calibrated instead of the rangefinder (not even sure how they would
do
> > this)?  Would having the M6 adjusted for the 75 mean that my 35 and 50
would
> > now mis-focus up close?
> >
> > 3. Do those of you who own the Hexar RF notice that your RF cam stops
> > engaging beyond the .7m mark on the lens, with the last small twist not
> > affecting the rangefinder at all?  Or is something amiss with my Hexar?
> >
> > Dan
>