kimto Posted January 23, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 23, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi everyone. I just got my very first rangefinder (M9 + summilux 35 1.4), so far I am having a lot of fun with it, and still learning everything about it. One problem I have is when I go outside, the center focus spot is almost impossible to see about 40% of the time... for example i try to align it with a tree trunk line or an object, it only shows semi-white spot on the focus spot.. I dont know if its the lighting or my camera's problem? I try to search on many forum and google, the only close solution I found is @ leicagoodies: Get your SHADE for the Leica M! but it is not for M digital.. anyone has the same problem as me?or my camera has problem? how do u solve the problem? and also I am really slow at focusing:( any tip for faster focusing? Thank you so much for reading my thread, really appreciate it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 23, 2010 Posted January 23, 2010 Hi kimto, Take a look here RF spot hard to see outdoor. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dpattinson Posted January 23, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 23, 2010 Couple of things: Not entirely sure what you are seeing with the RF patch, but is it possible your finger is partly blocking the RF window? You would in that case just see a light patch in the middle but not enough to focus with. The RF patch can flare, but that is pretty well corrected for in cameras after the M6 and certainly shouldn't be a problem in 40% of shots. I only get that problem when I'm shooting in very low light with an oblique light source hitting the RF patch. For faster focusing, the most important thing is practice. Eventually you will stop needing to find a strong vertical to align, and begin to just use the apparent contrast in the RF patch, when your subject is in focus the patch suddenly seems different... can't really explain how. One very useful tip is to always return the focus to the infinity position after shooting. That way when you want to focus for the next shot - you always know which way to start turning the focus ring Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted January 23, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 23, 2010 I dont know if its the lighting or my camera's problem? My guess would be that its a finger problem. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted January 23, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 23, 2010 My guess would be that its a finger problem. Steve I agree. Kimto, are you sure that you aren't covering the little rangefinder window with a finger? It's quite easy to do, especially if you are wearing gloves. The next time that you have this problem, try waggling the fingers of your right hand and see if this makes a difference. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scc Posted January 23, 2010 Share #5 Posted January 23, 2010 They should really bring back the ridge around this RF window, like the M3 had, so if your finger crept in near it, your could tell by feel.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted January 23, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 23, 2010 I put a piece of clear yellow plastic (theatre spotlight coloured filter material) over the RF window in summer. I attach it with Blu-Tak. It makes the RF patch more visible in bright light. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adan Posted January 23, 2010 Share #7 Posted January 23, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Important note: A FINGERPRINT on the smallest RF window will also lower the contrast of the RF image to invisibility. Every time my focus spot starts to look a little dim, I check, and there is finger grease on the glass. I carry a microfiber cloth in one of those otherwise too-small-to-be-useful external pockets of my camera bag just for wiping that window. Prior to the M6, Leica recessed the glass of these windows inside the top plate - harder to clean but also harder to get a fingerprint. Since the M6, the windows are flush with the front - easier to get finger prints on, but also easier to wipe clean. The SHADE mentioned - which I'm sure will fit an M8 or M9 if needed - is for a different problem. When Leica added the 28 and 75 framelines in 1982, they revised the VF/RF internals in such a way that the serrated white illumination window began to cause RF "whiteout", and the SHADE reduces that separate problem. However, since sometime in the era of the M7, Leica re-revised the RF/VF internally to address the issue. Both the M8 and M9 have the "new" revision finder, so the SHADE is superfluous. Not unusable, but not very useful. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimto Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share #8 Posted January 23, 2010 WOW thank you everyone!! I think you guys are right I didnot even know there is this little thing called "distance metering window", I just read my manual again...which I will do it again tonight. It is really easy to cover up with my right hand middle finger, but now I know, I iwoll pay more attention! thank you all again ! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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