Jupiter 8 on Bessa R

[tedwhite]

I tried the J8 last Sunday on my Bessa R and was surprised when I focused on something that was obviously at infinity and the J8 scale didn't line up. It indicated a distance less than infinity. In fact, when the camera's rf indicated infinity you could actually move the J8 focusing ring a bit further before it reached its infinity mark.

So I basically have no idea whether the J8 was focusing on what the rangefinder indicated.

Anyone else have this problem? My J8 is one of the newer black ones.

Ted

 

[manfromh]

Maybe the rangefinder is out of alignement. Does it only happen with the J8? Have you tried the lens on some other camera?

 

[Spyderman]

At infinity all lenses should actuate the RF the same way. Try the body with your Skopar and check if it shows the same problem.

Also consider that when you focus at something less than 1 km away - that's not infinity. Some people say that the moon is a good target to check infinity RF alignment... but even moon isn't at infinity. It's only about 384000 km from earth 😀

 

[rover]

When taken were the images in focus on the film?

 

[RML]

The proof is in the pudding. Are shots taken at infinity in focus? It could very well be that the barrel indication isn't accurate. Then again, your J-8 may have to be calibrated for use with your R.

 

[tedwhite]

Thanks, all.

Rover:

No, I haven't developed the film yet. Still in the camera with about 5 frames to go. I'll finish it up and develop it today myself (film is b/w).

Manfromh:

Don't have another RF camera to try it on, but a friend has an old LTM Leica that I can borrow. However, the cv Skopar 35/2.5 and the Bessa's rangefinder are in exact agreement. I've checked distances with a tape measure and if the measured distance is 15 feet, for example, that's exactly what the lens indicates.

 

[clarence]

Won't DOF cover up for focusing errors at infinity anyway? I was just pondering over this.

Is it ever possible to tell from a photograph that focusing at infinity is off?

Clarence

 

[rover]

Won't DOF cover up for focusing errors at infinity anyway? I was just pondering over this.

Is it ever possible to tell from a photograph that focusing at infinity is off?

Clarence

Ted, this was my thought in asking my question. I think if the focus is good at close range, then at a distance any error should be covered by the DOF.

 

[tedwhite]

Rover:

I get your point and it is well-taken. Didn't get around to the film developing today as I just go a new pigment ink printer (Epson R2400) and decided to make a few 13X19 inch prints. Whew, talk about a learning curve! The good news is that they came out just fine. (I have no idea why).