Voigtlander Perkeo I, some user tip....

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vegard_dino

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Hi all.

Got my very first folder now, a really nice, in my mind, Voigtlander.

But, a few questions I need to ask.

The viewfinder is off center to the lens.
Maybe that does not matter on longer ranges, like 10-12 meters and more.
But, on short ranges, what to do in order to "frame" my photo?
Any tip on how to aim at a close range shot?

All help/tip for a first timer is welcome, I need them.🙂

A good weekend to you all.
 
vegard_dino said:
Hi all.

Got my very first folder now, a really nice, in my mind, Voigtlander.

But, a few questions I need to ask.

The viewfinder is off center to the lens.
Maybe that does not matter on longer ranges, like 10-12 meters and more.
But, on short ranges, what to do in order to "frame" my photo?
Any tip on how to aim at a close range shot?

All help/tip for a first timer is welcome, I need them.🙂

A good weekend to you all.
Click to expand...

I find the parallax error with my Perkeo II doesn't become much of an issue until I'm down in the 6 foot range. The viewfinder isn't giving 100% coverage, I think it's closer to 90%, so there's a good bit more FoV on film than you see through it.

Just shoot and watch what you're doing, and what it does. You'll likely find it less of an issue than you think. Adjusting to it is simply a matter of remembering to reframe a higher and to the side when you're working in close.

G
 
I've had perkeo's over time...

I've had perkeo's over time...

The first thing to remember is that very few, if any, medium format cameras with any age at all, will close focus without special devices. Closeup devices can resolve the focus problem and by design correct for Parallax as well.

For instance, parallax exists in TLR cameras, and is offset by devices that raise the camera the distance between the viewing lens and the taking lens. One manufacturer calls this device a "Paramender"

Every camera with a veiwfinder located outside the lens suffer from some amount of Parallax offset.

Many bigger old folders have the viewfinder considerably more off center than your Perkeo... It's such a small camera by comparison to most.

As Godfrey says, simply be aware of Parallax up to 6 feet and be mindful of making a bit of adjustment.

To that, I would add also be aware that you are not going to find a Medium Format camera that is going to focus nearer than approx 3 feet....

I know this is a common unknown for many entering Medium Format. I know because I once bought back a Fuji G690 because the buyer never asked the question about close focus and I didn't bring it up since it seemed understood to me.

In any event, you can get some wonderful images with any of the perkeo's in good condition, Vaskar or Color Skopar.

The offset of the viewfinder is not adding any more problem than is already common with viewfinder cameras.

The only cameras that do not have Parallax are camera's that focus through the lens. That would include ground glass viewing on Large Format, SLR camera's in 35mm or larger, and last new EVF finders on digital.
 
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