kiev rf calibration

[40oz]

Thank you 40oz,

Yes, this makes sense a lot and it is the weak side of Rick's method, for a multiple lens camera.

The problem is that once you leave Rick's method, you will have to deal with helical shiming and each lens shiming... All these amounting to months of our scarce free time, per camera.

So we have to think about a middle way. One posibility is to go along Rick's proposal and check film plane sharpness with all the different focal lenses we have. After this we could select among our dozen standards the most fitting one for the average.

One thing I strongly feel. If we start fiddling with shims we are going to end with no Kievs, or continue fiddling with them at the hospice.

Cheers,
Ruben

I don't think many people have issues with Contax-mount lenses. If a person has an issue with a particular lens, so be it. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

 

[ruben]

I don't think many people have issues with Contax-mount lenses. If a person has an issue with a particular lens, so be it. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

I am not so sure, since for some unclear reason Contax users are very quiet posters.

Besides, Kiev users are not particularly loud in complaining about the optical quality of FSU Kiev lenses.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[40oz]

I think so far, that it will be sensible to allow ourselves a margin of personal tolerance here. After all the difference from absolute accuracy will be always 'eaten' by not absolute accurate focusing at the moment of picture making. Sometimes one unaccuracy will add to the other, other times they wil compensate each other.

I ask myself if the guy sending his camera to Mr Scherer for perfection, will also focus his yellow patch for perfection, and will also buy perfectly shimed Contax lenses in spite of their age and particular history...

Let's no go crazy.

Cheers,
Ruben

with this, I whole-heartedly agree. I know from experience that focusing a Jupiter-3 wide open at relatively close distances isn't just about the lens or rangefinder, but about me, my eyes, my hands, and my mind as well. Blaming the lens shim at that point is, well, I think the word is "chutzpah." 🙂

 

[40oz]

I am not so sure, since for some unclear reason Contax users are very quiet posters.

Besides, Kiev users are not particularly loud in complaining about the optical quality of FSU Kiev lenses.

Cheers,
Ruben

Why, Ruben, the reason is obvious: there is nothing to complain about! 🙂

Seriously, there isn't much to complain about with the Kiev line. There is a limited number of lenses, and all are widely acclaimed as good performers favorably compared to their Zeiss kin. The bodies utilize a few minor changes/improvements over the original Contax design. The rangefinders and shutters are very robust. The finish and attention to detail is admirable. There really isn't much lacking in a Kiev, for someone who can see past the gov't of origin. Our life is good 😀

 

[Xmas]

Well I assume that you have/had registered the mount like Russ suggests which is real difficult even with a micro like Russ has.

And that the lens has been registered at infinity on the camera.

And that the lens focal length is close to the nominal.

Otherwise you will have focus problems with any 85 or 135 mm you use. Even if the long lens is set up at infinity and has a matched focal length and rangefinder cam...

There are a lot of variables if you want to interchange the 1.5 and long lenses.

Noel

 

[varjag]

Am a bit late again, but yes, 40oz' expanded answer is exactly what I was trying to say 🙂

 

[ruben]

Well I assume that you have/had registered the mount like Russ suggests which is real difficult even with a micro like Russ has.

And that the lens has been registered at infinity on the camera.

And that the lens focal length is close to the nominal.

Otherwise you will have focus problems with any 85 or 135 mm you use. Even if the long lens is set up at infinity and has a matched focal length and rangefinder cam...

There are a lot of variables if you want to interchange the 1.5 and long lenses.

Noel

Hi Noel,

Yes, "There are a lot of variables ".

I think common sense here should be our guide line. For example there can be a type of photog like me, using the Kievs primarily for the 35 and 50 focal lengths. In such a case Rick's proceeding is more than OK.

There can be other type of potogs, using the 85mm or 135mm or both quite often, and in this case the best I can advice is to seriously check those focal lenses against film plane sharpness. Perhaps it all will be ok, perhaps the byass will be minimal, perhaps it will not be minimal but you can be aware of it in advance and this is an aide too.

I think the source of all problems is the long baselength of the Kievs/Contax, alllowing us to detect minimal distortions.

Cheers,
Ruben

 

[ruben]

.........The reason is that a lot of lenses (notably J-8 and J-3) exhibit focus shift at close distances. Your RF might be spot on but it'll still look like it was misfocused.

Hi Eugene,

Could you detail what are you talking about ?

Thanks,
Ruben


PS
Nunca es tarde cuando la leche es buena

(It is never late when the milk is good)