I am having some trouble with the framelines on my Konica Hexar RF when I use my Tri-Elmar-M (current version) on it. The 3 sets of framelines come up as expected when I change focal lenth from 35mm to 50mm then to 28mm i.e. turning the focal lenth selector counter-clockwise, but when I move from 28mm to 50mm both set of framelines ( 28/90 & 50/75 become partly visible as very thin framelines i.e. a total of 4 framlines!). When I go from 50mm to 35mm the 35/135 frameline remains unless I turn the focal length selector pass the 35mm indent. In general I am having trouble with the framelines when turning the focal lenth selctor clockwise. Anybody having the same trouble. Any explanations or solutions.

Thanks

-- Arthur Yue (yueart@ctimail.com), July 22, 2001

Answers

My obvious recommendation would be to try it on a Leica.

BTW, Erwin Puts is looking into whether or not Leica lenses are truly compatible with the Hexar (at least in focusing). Apparently, Konica don't make that claim.

-- Bud (budcook@attglobal.net), July 22, 2001.

Have you tried the tri-elmar on a Leica to see if it is doing the same thing? It is possible that in the lens the frame line selecting hardware is out of spec. There has been a bunch of talk about the Leica/Hexar RF compatability. I have tried the Konica lenses on my Leica, and they coupled up perfectly, so I have a hard time believing Konica lenses work perfectly on the Leica, but Leica lenses don't work right on the Konica. That makes no sense. The rangefinders have been off in several of the cameras I checked out, and I can easily imagine the part that keys in the frame lines could be very slightly out of adjustment as well. I'd try the Tri Elmar on Leica to make sure the lens isn't out of spec, and then I'd try to get ahold of another Konica body to try it on. That way you'll know where the problem is.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), July 22, 2001.

Don't have the Tri Elmar but the three Leica lenses and the Hexanon lens I have work perfectly with either my M6 or my Hexar RF.

If there are incompabatilities, they are beyond my level to recognize.

-- David S Smith (dssmith3@rmci.net), July 22, 2001.

I have the same prolem with my current Tri-Elmar and Hexar RF, but *only* when I go to the 35mm setting. Like you, I have to turn it just past the 35 setting to get te 50/75 framelines to vanish, leaving just the 35/135 framelines visible. I have no problem with the other framelines.

It's not the lens. I have no similar problems on any of my M bodies.

The rangefinder is a very close tolerance mechanism. Between the vertical alignment problem and this frameline problem, I suspect Konica needs to do some work to tighten up their manufacturing and/or assembly tolerances.

-- Ken Shipman (kennyshipman@aol.com), July 22, 2001.

With my Tri-Elmar (E55 version) on the Hexar RF the 50 framelines don't want to snap in coming from 35-50 but is fine from 28-50, and on both of my M6's the 28-50 doesn't snap in but 35-50 is fine. The problem is definitely the lens, not the camera. There really isn't anything you can do about it. You can either go just a bit past the 50mm click and then back; or else try giving the frame selector lever a flick--that works on mine.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), July 22, 2001.

I don't know much about the current 3E, but the older one (E55 version) is notorious for not pulling up the 35 frame line correctly. I use mine on an M5 and frequently have to nudge the manual frame selector lever to get the 35 frame up properly.

-- mark (mramra@qwest.net), July 22, 2001.

My new tri-elmar does the same thing on my Heaxar and my .58 M6 body. However, I don't have this probelem on my .72 M6 body. (?)

-- Jack Flesher (jbflesher@msn.com), July 22, 2001.

Seems like I am not alone in experiencing this trouble. My Tri-Elmar works OK on my Leicas and my other M lenses work OK on the RF. The single Konica 50mm lens that I have also functions alright on my Leicas. I can correct the framelines with the frameline selector on the RF. Just wondering - Can it be because the spring loading on the RF cam is not strong enough to allow it to return to the correct position?

-- Arthur Yue (yueart@ctimail.com), July 23, 2001.

Dear Arthur

I have the same problem and I thought I was the only one until I read this thread. I have an M6 nonTTL, and the first version of the Tri- Elmar. The frame lines do not click in properly from 35 to 50.Both were bought used. I took it to the Leica shop here in London, and they tried the lens with a new M6 body and it works fine. The chap told me that it may be due to the high tolerances of the TRi-Elmar and a possibility of mount wear in my body. This I find hard to believe as the body is pretty unused. It seems that the lens , once mounted on the body, gives a little, perhaps 1/4 mm of play and you can correct the frmae lines by twisting the lens to the left, when holding the body to viewing position. He suggested I renew my lens mount!

Anyway I am not very happy with this, although it doesn't affect the image quality. So much for Leica manufacturing quality!

S Lee

-- Steven Lee (svl_lee@compuserve.com), September 07, 2001.