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Focusing problems
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tim brakemeier
Joined: 08 Jun 2007
Posts: 7
PostPosted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 4:13 pm   Post subject: Focusing problems

Hi,
I got a Graflex R.B. Super D 4x5 and I got a focussing problem with it.
When I do testshots everything seems to be allright. With every lens I try (I got a 180mm 3,5 Xenar, a 210mm 3,5 Trioplan and the original 190mm 5,6 Ektar) the focussing seems to work without problems.
When I do a shooting - I use the camera for Glamour Outdoor - most of the pictures are out of focus and it seems its getting worse with every shooting.
By the way: No - I don´t get nervous having a nice girl in front of the camera and forget to focus about it ;-)
The only reason for my problem I can imagine is the position of the mirror. If the mirror won´t go back completly to its "look throug the camera" position the focussing can´t be OK - right?
I realized that the mirror in the "down" position has a little room left to go up and down when i press the mirror setting lever. Is that allright? If not, how can I fix it?
Thanks for help
Tim
45PSS
Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
PostPosted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 11:57 pm

1. Does the camera have the standard Graflex back or has it been modified to a Graflok?
2. What kind of film/holder are you using for a Test shot?
3. What kind of film/holders are you using for the standard shoot?
4. The reflex mirror frame can only move so much. If it were not locking properly then the shutter would not wind or trip properly.
5. With a normal shooting film and holder attached set the camera up on a tripod and shoot down a fence with the lens wide open and focus on a easy to reckongize point 8 to 10 feet from the film plane. Process this sheet and see how far off the focus is and which direction from the film plane the focus is off. You can tape a tape measure to a wall and focus on a meter marker as an alternative. Have the camera at a 22 to 45 dregee angle to the wall or fence.
6. Most likely cause of the focus error is the ground glass is out of position due to back modification or ground glass not properly reinstalled after removal for cleaning.
tim brakemeier
Joined: 08 Jun 2007
Posts: 7
PostPosted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:14 pm

Hi,
- the camera has the original graflex back which needs the slotted holders
- i got a grafmatik holder as well as normal filmholders for two films
- the test shots were made with the normal holders
- the pictures on shooting were made mit the normal holders and the grafmatik
- I´ll do the test in the way you advised in the next days
Tim
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