i’m not crazy (maybe)

So after burning like 5 rolls of film, I’ve finally concluded that my 50mm/1.5 nokton lens works just fine on my Bessa R, but not on my Bessa R3M. On the R3M, the focus is consistently off (actual focus is in front of where I think it is). But when I use my 40mm/1.4 nokton (a different lens) on my R3M, the focus is spot on.

I had sent the 50mm/1.5 in for repair because it was behaving strangely. Turning the focus was very stiff & sticky. This made it very hard to try and focus because it would jerk, rather than rotating smoothly. Anyway, sent it off and it came back better (much better), but not “like new”.

To check it out, I shot some stuff with it on my better camera (the R3M) but it didn’t look like it was focusing properly. So I did a roll to test the focus using that camera and all 3 of my lenses. The outcome of that was confusing, but I was starting to fear that the R3M itself was unable to focus correctly.

So, to try and clarify, I shot a whole roll in the R3M with the 40mm and every shot was properly focused. So I went back to believing the 50mm lens was bad. I shot a roll on the R3M with the 50mm, and yes the focus was consistently off.

So now I’m thinking, well the 50mm lens is clearly dorked somehow. But why am I not having trouble when I use it in practice (on the Bessa R)?

So, I shot a roll to test the focus of the 50mm lens on the R. And the focus is right on for every shot!

Sheesh.

So, it looks like I have to use the 50mm/1.5 on the Bessa R only. The 40mm/1.4 will only fit on the R3M because it’s M-mount rather than screw mount.

I haven’t determined if the 90mm/3.5 works on both or neither camera. I guess I’ll have to do that, but I don’t use that lens much.

*sigh*