Kiev 4 misfocuses?

[marlinspike]

Now that I have my scanner and can look at my pictures large, I think my Kiev 4 is front focusing (i.e. what appears to be properly focused in the viewfinder is actually focused too far forward). These are old films so I don't know for sure, but IF this is the case, does that mean at infinity the yellow (center) image would be too far left or too far right?
Thanks,
Richard

 

[pvdhaar]

Easy to find out. Set focus to infinity, look through finder, and then put your finger over the rangefinder window (the one offset from the viewing window). The way the double image moves indicates whether it's to the right or left..

 

[marlinspike]

But I mean, if it is in fact front focusing, which way should it move? Basically, I'm trying to see if it's front focusing or the fact that at the time of these films I had only put 2 rolls through meant I just wasn't good with it.
Richard

 

[varjag]

I would suggest to check your lens first. Find another lens and try it on the same body.

The lens you've got can have the working distance out of tolerance (e.g. a shim/spacer could be lost during a 'repair').

 

[marlinspike]

I didn't know with such old tech the lenses could be the issue (I also shoot dSLR and with those the lenses are 50% of the time the issue). I do in fact have another lens...only shot one roll on it so far though, and nothing that would be a good test of focus...BUT at first glance there doesn't appear to be any misfocus with that lens.
Richard

 

[varjag]

Check your other lens wide open then. The QC of Soviet lenses was varying, although it was generally better on rangefinder Kiev glass. Plus, any person with a screwdriver here thinks he's a qualified camera repairsman so the lens could be misaligned during a repair/cleaning.

 

[pangkievrange]

Now that I have my scanner and can look at my pictures large, I think my Kiev 4 is front focusing (i.e. what appears to be properly focused in the viewfinder is actually focused too far forward). These are old films so I don't know for sure, but IF this is the case, does that mean at infinity the yellow (center) image would be too far left or too far right?
Thanks,
Richard

You need to check the rangefinder at infinity. There's a simple adjustment (kiev survival site) and make sure you do that when the focusing is not at infinity.

pangkievrange

 

[marlinspike]

Yes, I realize I need to check it at infinity, but what I'm asking is, IF it is front focusing, which way will the yellow image be at infinity (i.e. I think it might be slightly left, but it might be dead on I can't tell...would slightly left mean it's front focusing?).
Thanks,
Richard

 

[pangkievrange]

Yes, I realize I need to check it at infinity, but what I'm asking is, IF it is front focusing, which way will the yellow image be at infinity (i.e. I think it might be slightly left, but it might be dead on I can't tell...would slightly left mean it's front focusing?).
Thanks,
Richard

You need to point at a far distant post that has sunlight on (airplane in the sky) to check the accuracy. If the yellow very slightly passes the infinity, it has no consequence in practice because kiev has a long range base. If the subject 20 yards away, after focusing, the lens focuses at 20-(minus) yards.

pangkievrange

 

[jdos2]

Point the camera at an object FAR away. Focus closer than infinity. Slowly turn the focus towards infinity. If the points of coincidence appear before you reach infinity, your are front focusing. If they never quite touch, you are back focusing.

I'd suspect the lens too- I've had about 10 Kievs, and all save one (from Oleg!) died. None had rangefinder issues. Not a one. All shutter/uncurable light leak problems. The baseline on the Kiev is really (really!) big, and slight misalignments would be covered by DoF for all lenses- even the J-3, the windows are THAT far apart.

 

[marlinspike]

I checked it. The images align when pointed at a far away object (top of telephone pole about 1000 feet away) before I get to infinity...so how do I fix this?
Thanks,
Richard

 

[varjag]

Plus, any person with a screwdriver here thinks he's a qualified camera repairsman so the lens could be misaligned during a repair/cleaning.

Now, perhaps I should clarify: by "here" I meant FSU territory, not the rangefinderforum 🙂

The RF alignment procedure is described in great detail at Kiev Survival Site. If the misalignment is very slight it is probably the lens mount helical being attached to the gear a cog or two off.

 

[Socke]

I checked it. The images align when pointed at a far away object (top of telephone pole about 1000 feet away) before I get to infinity...so how do I fix this?
Thanks,
Richard

1000 feet is not infinity, try the moon 🙂

My Zorki 4 was severly off, infinity on the lens at less than 3 meters!

I used some transparent paper on my Zorki as a silk screen and adjusted the rangefinder with a 8x loupe to 1 meter, checked it at 5 and then tested infinity on the moon.

It works.

 

[marlinspike]

Well, how about the top of a crane about 3000 feet away at the bas (so since the crane is high, and c^2 = a^2 + b^2, further than 3000 feet)? IIRC the rangefinder is only effective to 2000 feet.

Any place else other than the Kiev survival guide? The Kiev survival guide has it, but the page won't load.
Richard