I can't believe how many shots I've missed with my R9.

Vickko · 08-20-2012

I can't believe how many shots I've missed with my R9.

I just got back a roll, and using the 35-70 f4 zoom, missed easy shots of my 2 year old son looking right into the lens and standing still. The shots look out of focus.

I think I used f4, so there should have been enough depth of field to deal with his face, and it was a sunny day so I think the shutter speed was fast enough.

I wonder if the focusing screen is just not right for me, and my half century old eyes.

The shots at infinity look okay.

Any other R9 users with similar problems?

Vick

Monochrom · 08-20-2012

Hi, being re flex camera shouldn´t have such a missfocus....the best is to get a test, simply focusing on a scale metre...set wide open and 3 feet away that should tell you mny things.

Luck!

mathomas · 08-20-2012

Which screen do you have? My R8 came with a plain screen. That's OK in a Hasselblad, but not in a 35mm SLR IMO, so I got a split/micro prism screen for it.

But what 'Monochrom' says makes sense to try.

Tejasican · 08-20-2012

If it ends up being your eyes, give the Leicaflex's a shot.

leicapixie · 08-22-2012

Do you use the camera a lot? Trying to capture kids moving a serious business.
The aperture f4 may not be enough depth of field..I have used flash in the past, to capture movement and obtain a better aperture.
Practice focusing your camera on a few objects in a normal lit room.Use a pencil to mark your focus point on the lens. A few times focusing, will have pencil marks all over the barrel! A rangefinder usually always same. A SLR needs more practice.
It is possible your mirror and or screen not correct, but doubt it, in a camera that is not old and possibly of very high quality.

Rayt · 08-22-2012

My eyes are not good enough for SLR's with high eye point finders. The R4 has a high magnification finder so I prefer that.

sparrow6224 · 08-22-2012

I shoot my son -- three and a half -- with digital and film both and my success rate is about 1/4 digital, 1/6 film.... Their heads, faces, eyes, hands, torsos -- are never still.

That said it sounds like your complaint might go deeper and it might be worthwhile to have the camera checked by Leica. It's by all accounts a phenomenal camera.

Matus · 08-22-2012

Just take a few test shots of still subjects - is they are sharp you may need to change your technique or get an AF camera and if they are no sharp - have the camera/lens checked. I recall that 35-70/4 should be a great performer.

Matthew Runkel · 08-22-2012

I had a focus issue with my R8 for a roll or two before realizing I needed to adjust the diopter.

Keith · 08-23-2012

If all else fails get an F100 and some AF Nikkors!

funkydog · 08-23-2012

Interchangeable ground glass focusing screen not seated correctly? A shim fell out and didn't get put back the last time someone removed the screen?

dave lackey · 08-23-2012

Definitely odd, are you sure it is a focus issue?...how long have you had the R9? Did it work fine before? How long has it been? Changed batteries lately? The only thing I am wondering is maybe your subject was too close? Maybe the subject was moving with too slow a shutter speed? What setting did you have the camera on, aperture priority? Make sure that switch is working fine and hasn't slipped.

Try another roll with new batteries and get back with us! I would love that R9 myself! On my bucket list.

RObert Budding · 08-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

If all else fails get an F100 and some AF Nikkors!

+1 on the F100.

dave lackey · 08-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Runkel

I had a focus issue with my R8 for a roll or two before realizing I needed to adjust the diopter.

I have a focus problem every morning upon awakening... coffee usually helps fix it, though. Bokeh is weird until about the third cup.

Vickko · 08-23-2012

To follow up.

I just sorted about 8 rolls of holiday shots, using the same R9 and a 50/1.4 lens. Most of them were sharp and good, so, I think the R9 body is okay.

I'm in the middle of another roll with the 35-70 f4, where I'm paying more attention to technique. I'm hoping the results reveal what my problem is (e.g. focusing technique, lens problem, other?).

Oh, the focusing screen is the standard split with microprism collar. I can black it out at f4 occasionally, but it mostly works fine for focusing. Oh I think so anyway.

Thanks all

Vick

dave lackey · 08-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickko

To follow up.

I just sorted about 8 rolls of holiday shots, using the same R9 and a 50/1.4 lens. Most of them were sharp and good, so, I think the R9 body is okay.

I'm in the middle of another roll with the 35-70 f4, where I'm paying more attention to technique. I'm hoping the results reveal what my problem is (e.g. focusing technique, lens problem, other?).

Oh, the focusing screen is the standard split with microprism collar. I can black it out at f4 occasionally, but it mostly works fine for focusing. Oh I think so anyway.

Thanks all

Vick

Vick, thanks for the update.... looking forward to seeing how this works out. That is a great rig you have with that lens!

Dwig · 08-23-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickko

...I wonder if the focusing screen is just not right for me, and my half century old eyes....

If your eyes are the issue, changing the screen is not likely the proper fix. You probably need correct for their inablility to focus properly at the screen's projected distance. Most SLR screens are set to appear to be ~3-6ft away. Adjustable diopter eyepieces and attachment diopters can change that to something at which your eye's can focus. (For my myoptic eyes that is about 12-14" when I'm not wearing my glasses). This match between your eye and the VF is more critical in lower light since your eye dialates (opens to a wider aperture) reducing DOF.

If your vision difficulty is one of "resolution", rather than the common focus issues, you'll find a split RF patch the best solution. If that doesn't help then its AF time...

Vickko · 08-27-2012

I got my test roll back.

Shots are perfect.

I knew it wasn't the equipment.

The red dot rules !!!!

Vick

dave lackey · 08-27-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vickko

I got my test roll back.

Shots are perfect.

I knew it wasn't the equipment.

The red dot rules !!!!

Vick

Congratulations! That is indeed good news! I have my Cron on the R4 and you have inspired me to take it out and shoot a roll this week!

taskoni · 08-27-2012

Great it worked out for you! Enjoy the R stuff!

I love it!

Regards,

Boris

nobbylon · 08-27-2012

Glad to hear it's not the eyesight! My experience over the last 2 years with failing central vision has found the Leicaflex SL to be the camera for manual focus. I had an R8 and although better than most the finder is not as nice. High magnification and a full microprism screen allow focus using peripheral vision.
When it's time for autofocus I second the F100 which these days are so cheap. The only reason I sold mine was the F5 which can be had for reasonable money now and has the fastest focus of any Nikon I've used. D4 I haven't tried yet.
Great for kids with the tracking etc.

Nokton48 · 08-27-2012

Funny, I have 20/20 vision according to my optician, yet, when I attached a +2 diopter to the back of my SLR, I was amazed how much better it seemed to my (getting older) eyes.

Nothing wrong with diopters for SLR's. I am now looking for more +2's for mine.