Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/11/18

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Zzzzz... OT: Hexar RF focusing
From: John Collier <jbcollier@home.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2000 22:30:04 -0700

Amateur Photographer had focusing problems with a 90/2.8 while PopPhoto had
none. PopPhoto had vignetting with the 28/2.8 which persisted through out
the whole aperture range while others have claimed that the lens is the
equal of the Leica. That is two which come to mind without digging.

John Collier

> From: Dante Stella <dante@umich.edu>
> 
> What was the problem with the lenses?  That's the first I've ever
> heard about that.  Of course, it's getting hard to separate statistics
> from innuendo with this thing...  All test reports I have seen put the
> lenses at top of the pile, giving deference to Leica.  Aside from the
> RF-infinity rumblings and the "too easy" lens release, I have seen nothing
> in the way of complaints.  Some infinity problems may be attributable to
> other things. 
> 
> I think Mikiro is right - if there are problems that can be
> adjusted, it's not a big deal.  If I had to pick a QC problem, it would be
> an RF out of adjustment and not bad meters, light leaks, and
> self-disassembling rewind cranks (all seen on this list with M6s).
> 
> Personally, I wouldn't buy any rangefinder without an opportunity
> to test it in person.  The Hexar RF, although similar in design to the M
> finder, does not have the easily accessible screws for adjustment.  Hence,
> it is safest to pick it up in person and not to ship it around.
> 
> On Sat, 18 Nov 2000, John Collier wrote:
> 
>> The focusing problems that I have read about, are not limited to Leica
>> lenses, they also affect the Konica lenses as well. There seems to be a bit
>> of a quality control problem with the Hexar RF and its lenses. I have read
>> both praise and damnation from unbiased sources and little rhyme nor reason
>> to explain the differences in opinion.
>> 
>> John Collier
>> 
>>> From: Ernest Nitka <enitka@twcny.rr.com>
>>> 
>>> Dante - Many thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts down on "paper"
>>> - I very much appreciate this effort.  After posting the question I came up
>>> with some hypothetical responses myself
>>> -ernie ur getting old ( true 'nuff) and so are your eyes
>>> -50/1 is tough even with M6 classic
>>> -how do your work horse lenses compare and does the DOF even wide open at
>>> f/2 cover up the problem? The answer is that with 35/2, 35/1.4 and 50/2
>>> seemed to be close enough for the DOF to handle when open all the way open.
>>> Also brought out the M4 to check and all three ( M4, M6 and hexar) were all
>>> reasonably close.
>>> 
>>> Perhaps a tempest in a teapot so long as I don't shoot 50/1 or 90/2.8 wide
>>> open.  On the other hand when I presented the problem to my wife (standard
>>> issue leica spouse -"what the hell do you need another camera for") her
>>> response is that If I need a Hexar lens to test I should just go out and buy
>>> it - so there may me a silver lining to this cloud.
>>> 
>>> Now for the inverse ? Anyone have problems taking Hexar lenses and using
>>> them on M bodies?
>>> 
>> 
>