User Guide

The Distance
The DistanceThe Distance
The Distance
can be set on the distance scale engraved on
every lens, or with the aid of the rangefinder
image visible in the finder. Some lenses lock
in the infinity position; for focusing on nearer
distances this lock must be released by
depressing the infinity catch.
Always remember to extend and lock the
barrel of collapsible lenses (see also page
16). If you now rotate the focusing lever or
mount of the lens, a scale of numbers moves
past the fixed focusing index and indicates the
distance in feet and/or metres. This way of
focusing is less important, as you can set the
distance much more accurately with the aid of
the built-in coupled rangefinder. The scale is
useful, however, for reading off the depth-of-
field available and for special subjects where
the rangefinder cannot be used.
Practice in using the rangefinder is important for developing an efficient focusing tech-
nique, and is also great fun. Set the lens to infinity, and observe, say, a window a few
yards away through the rangefinder. You will see a bright sharp rectangle in the centre of
the finder area. Hold the LEICA in such a way that the vertical window bar cuts through this
rectangular rangefinder field. Inside the rangefinder field you will see a double image; i.e.
the window bar appears as a second image to the left of the main one. This indicates that
the lens is not correctly focused on the film. Now adjust the lens while still looking through
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