new rd-1, no problems that I can tell...

[georgeaye]

Hi there folks

New to rangefinders and new to the rd-1, I'm pleasently surprised to see that the refurbished model I got is working and functioning well. I managed to get a nice, used, rigid summicron 50 f2 in chrome too.

After being away from a manual focus camera (Canon A1) for some years, I can't see if the focus is off because of me or not. Thankfully in this example, I got the focus just right on my friends eyes.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/158/350068065_cb16947715.jpg
Since I'd read so many stories of misaligned cameras and such, I was terrified of my refurb being all wonky too. The thing is... I don't know if I know what a wonky RF would look like :-)

So far, the focussing patch is showing truthfully what's in focus, but I've not done any critical testing. Are there any? How do I know if 'vertical or horizontal' alignment is off?

Are there ways to see straight away if something's screwy?

Thanks for your help.

btw, I'm very thankful for these forums to be somewhat free of the rabid flamebaiting that goes on in some other forums.

George

[kbg32]

It doesn't look like your RD-1 has any problems. You would see immediately if the rangefinder was off.

[ray_g]

Vertical alignement can be seen when you focus at something with a horizontal line and the image in the RF patch is either higher or lower. For horizontal alignment, I would shoot with a fast lens wide open, and focus on something with some scales like a ruler or even newsprint at an angle.

[pfogle]

When it's right, and it's in focus, it should be like looking through a single plane piece of glass.

The crucial thing is (since this isn't a perfect world) to use it for a while (not critical testing :) and if you're comfortable with it - leave it alone! ;)

ps that's a very nice portrait :)

[Ben Z]

I checked mine out very meticulously and the RF is spot-on in every way. I'm hoping it stays that way, but if not I'll whip out the tool kit :bang:

[RML]

Hey, as long as YOU think there's nothing then there's nothing wrong. :)

[LCT]

... the focussing patch is showing truthfully what's in focus, but I've not done any critical testing. Are there any?...
My critical testing is to forget those tests if you get results you like.

[georgeaye]

Thanks for all the replies.

And finally, someone described what horizontal misalignment might actually looks like! Makes sense now that I read it. I found so many posts moaning about misaligned focus patches, but no one ever described what the symptons looked light. For the unitiated, it can be tough to know what to look out for.

George
ps. As long as this camera stays in good nick, I'll keep firing the shutter :)