tonyk Posted September 3, 2002 Share Posted September 3, 2002 <html> <head> <title>Untitled Document</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859- 1"> </head> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> <p><img src="http://www.tk-photo.com/images/hexar-adj.jpg" width="493" height="338"> </p> <p>The above drawing shows the adjustment of the rangefinder on a Konica Hexar RF. This shows how to completely (vertical and infinity) adjust the rangefinder on this camera. I've been looking around the web for information regarding Vertical alignment adjustment, but could not find any details on it. So, after taking the plunge and purchasing one, I found that my infinity alignment was right on (with both my Summicron 50/2 and Hexanon 50/2), but my vertical alignment was slightly off. It bugged the living stuffing out of me, so I just took out the adjustment plug and went for it. Sorry for the quality of the above drawing, but it was the best I can do at 2am in the morning. Basically, looking down into the adjustment hole (lens facing away from you), there is the toothed wheel that is attached to the notched frame on the camera. I have read that people have been able to adjust infinity alignment here, but it really is the vertical alignment adjustment. Pick a rectangular object on a wall not too far away (light switch is fine). With the camera on a tripod and at about the same height as this object, focus on the corner so that when out of focus, you can see the double images of the rectangle. Use whatever tool you need to to move the toothed wheel either away from you (lowers the focusing patch) or towards you (raises the focusing patch) until the two double images are at the same height. Focus the object in and out of focus will confirm this. Next, you need to adjust the infinity focus, as messing with the vertical alignment will probably affect the infinity alignment. With your trusty 50mm (or whatever you have) M lens mounted, go ouside at night or day and focus on a distant object (I chose a bright star, but you can choose a distant mountain top (peak or antenna). At infinity (on the lens), the double image of your distant object should line up in the rangefinder. If it does, then close up the adjustment hole and go take pictures. If not, then you'll need to get a small flat-head screwdriver and adjust the screw to the upper right of the toothed wheel. When looking down, it is the screw that seems to have a "C" retaining clip on it. It appears to be just on the left of a condenser lens of some sort (on the rangefinder). Tightening the screw (clockwise) will move the focus patch to the left, while loosening (counterclockwise) the screw moves the focus patch to the right. After your best adjustment, make sure that infinity lines up by focusing once on your distant object the normal way, upside down, vertically, and upside down vertically (basically, turning the camera 90 degrees until a complete circle is made, while focusing in and out to infinity). By doing this, you can make sure that the infinity alignment is correct.</p> <p>Needless to say, do this at your own risk. This worked for me and I am just informing the general public of my adjustment method. I am not responsible for anything YOU do to YOUR camera. </p> <p>I just had the pleasure of using this camera the next day for a test and this is what I got:</p> <p><img src="http://www.tk-photo.com/images/hexar-tree.jpg" width="400" height="608"></p> <p>All images were scanned with a Nikon LS-1000 film scanner at 2700 dpi. The images were then reduced in resolution and saved in jpg form.</p> <p>This is an enlargement of the "a" in "Argentina" on the sign, in the middle of the photo.</p> <p><img src="http://www.tk-photo.com/images/a.jpg" width="400" height= "400"></p> <p>This is also an enlargement from the photo. It shows a bundle of dry pine needles just underneath the word "Bolivia" on the sign.</p> <p><img src="http://www.tk-photo.com/images/twig.jpg" width="400" height="388"></p> <p>The picture was taken with the vertically/infinity aligned Hexar RF with a Black Wetzlar Summicron 50/2 at the minimum distance of just under 0.7m. I focused on the captical "A" in Argentina and then re-framed the picture to put the sign in the middle of the frame.</p> <p>Finally, a quick-draw M travel camera I can live with.</p> <p>Good Luck.</p> <p> </p> <p>TonyK</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> </body> </html> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johann_fuller Posted September 3, 2002 Share Posted September 3, 2002 Good info for Hexar owners - if you have an out of sync body and want to match it to Leica specs this will be useful. However to me the image looks soft - it's not a very high enlargment of the letter and with a good lens like a summicron it should be a lot, lot sharper - I suggest you do some more tests and or put a ground glass screen at the film plane and compare the magnified image on a high powered loupe with the RF at several distances Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_ilomaki Posted September 3, 2002 Share Posted September 3, 2002 Tony: The sketch looks interesting, but just a little unclear. Also, I am curious as to the origin of the chromatic aberation fringes on the letter "a". would it be from the camera lens, the film scanner or what. It is certainly very pronounced. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted September 3, 2002 Share Posted September 3, 2002 CAUTION: ERRONEOUS INFO ALERT! The toothed wheel *is* for adjusting the infinity alignment--ONLY, *not* the vertical alignment, although undue pressure on the assembly can disturb the vertical alignment. The small screw by the condensor lens is to adjust the focus plane of the secondary image to the same virtual distance as the primary viewfinder image. *Do NOT* touch that screw! The vertical alignment of the Hexar's RF has to be done with the top plate removed, as it involves raising/lowering an entire subassembly. This info came straight from a very helpful Konica tech back when I got my Hexar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyk Posted September 3, 2002 Author Share Posted September 3, 2002 OK. Jay may have a point, but it worked for me. Also, before the adjustment on my camera, the image on the RF patch seemed smaller than image on the RF itself. This solved it for me. Your mileage may vary. As for the chromatic aberation fringes on the letter "a", it's the conversion from a 2700 dpi / 25.7mb photoshop file to a 130K JPG file that did it. It actually is very sharp in the original file. Although this is not a big magnification, it is enough that at 2700 dpi (original image), pixelation starts to be noticeable at the edges (limits of the scan). That is why I did not make any further magnifications, as it would really tell you nothing. As for the unclear sketch. Sorry, but these are just quick notes that I took at the time. The upper left side shows the camera. The "Adjustment Open" should actually be the "Adjustment Opening". There is a small plastic cap there. Inside looks like the area around the dashed circle. Once the cap is removed, there should be no problem identifying the parts. I was going to test the Hexar RF side by side with my M2 for comparison, but instead, during this excursion, I compared it to a Contax G2 (with a Zeiss 45mm f2). The slides from both cameras seemed equally sharp under high magnification on a lightbox and scanned. I still really like this camera. Sometimes you don't want to hand meter everything. I took some neat street fair photos with it recently and saw some gentleman there removing his M6 from his soft case and taking the photo. Needless to say, I was there and gone before he could even start focusing. Yes, I know, sometimes you want to take your time for a photo. That's why I have my M2 for. It's strange... As I get older and lazier, the less I want to carry for the usual "out and about". T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy_coach Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Where did all the pictures go? I was hoping to use the instructions and having the pics would have been nice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefan_fielding_isaacs Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 Good question.. I'm looking to adjust the vertical on my Hexar RF as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz Posted June 10, 2006 Share Posted June 10, 2006 Try <a href="http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22545&mode=linear#post22545">this</a>. Worked well for me. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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