Graflex.org Forum Index Graflex.org
Get help with your Graflex questions here
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Soft focus on a speed graphic?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Graflex.org Forum Index -> Speed Graphic Help
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
n4yzj



Joined: 27 Jun 2002
Posts: 1
Location: Statesville NC

PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 6:17 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gentleman;
I'm pleased to say I just acquired a top rangefinder 4 by 5 Pacemaker Speed Graphic. Went to photographic a quilt and found no matter what I did the image on the groundglass just won't focus sharpe the way I expect from such a camera! I shot three images using a #405 polaroid back and they were very soft. I already own a Horseman VHR and shot some 120 images with it and could see a big diference between the ground glass images! The graphic is as follows #930612 f4.7 Graflex Optar lens 135mm. Any ideas? Have wanted a SG all my live and am really dispointed in it. Tried all the adjustments on the lens and body but still soft? Put the Graphic on my tripod on my deck and compared GG images with the horseman and could see a big diference. Do I need to hunt another lens? Thanks Bob Thompson

[ This Message was edited by: n4yzj on 2002-06-28 23:19 ]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 7:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Shall we assume that you have infinity stops installed and were against them?

Ground glass and fresnel could be dirty. For some unknown reason a white film seems to settle on them if stored for long times. Wash/clean carefully.

Same white film accumlated on lens elements. Is lens clear when you look through it only? Are the element groups fully seated into the shutter?

Many experts here, just the possibilities I can think of for now.



_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Les



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 2682
Location: Detroit, MI

PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 3:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

take a look at the way the lens is seated on the board. sometimes theres a pin that should fall into a hole or slot so you can't rotate the lens. many times this gets ignored and the lens gets mounted crooked.

then take a good close look at the lens. Are there any dents on the rear element? sometimes a fall can knock out the rear alignment.

take a small flashlight and shine it through the lens and look at the surfaces obliquely (don't look directly into the flashlgiht, move it slightly off axis. This will turn up dirt, but it will also turn up elements starting to seperate.

Try to focus on something flat with detail or texture-- wall paper, a brick wall, etc.

Withthe ground glass parallel to the wall can you get any part of the wall to be sharp? When you move the focus rails does the sharp part travel down the wall?

If this is true then the lens is somehow cocked to one side, or the ground glass isn't seated to the bed properly.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Graflex.org Forum Index -> Speed Graphic Help All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group