Mamiya Standard 23 rangefinder out

[Gerald Costello]

Hi Folks

Just purchased a Mamiya Press 23 standard which needs a bit of restoration. I have had a seized focus reing repaired but after running my first film through the camera the rangefinder looks well out. I focused close in at f5.6 at a distance of 4 feet where depth of field would be pretty shallow anyway and would show any error in the rangefinder I would have thought. Does anyone know where I could get the rangefinder checked/adjusted?

I have also run a test this morning focusing on an object exactly 4 feet from the film plane to make sure the lens isnt also out, though I would have thought this unlikely. When the film is processed it will be interresting to see the results.

Any help much appreciated.

 

[borrel]

I can recommend Tony any day:

GMHS International, LLC
Anthony M. (Tony) Sansone
700 Scott Street
Fort Walton Beach FL 32547-3324
850-368-7162
gmhsint@cox.net

No affiliation, never seen him, excellent help and work.

- Børre

 

[sevo]

Get a sheet film (ground glass) back for it. That makes it much easier to check (and eventually adjust, if you dare) the rangefinder.

Sevo

 

[kuzano]

A hearty second for mr. Sansone.

A hearty second for mr. Sansone.

I just bought a set of new and very obscure masks from him for my old multiformat K style Mamiya press back. Spoke with him on the phone. Planning to have him rebuild a Mamiya Universal Press body for me, or buy one of his rebuilts. I've seen his name relative to Mamiya Press for a number of years.

 

[hans voralberg]

Another recommendation for Tony, he custom modified for me a 545i back so I can shoot 4x5 on my Universal, great work.

 

[Fotopom]

Mamiya Press Range finder is easy to adjust I have done it many times using a glass back and the following instructions originally posted by Roger Krueger:

First remove the rangefinder cover - one screw on each side, plus you remove the knob which selects the 100, 150 or 250 bright frame. The cover then slides straight up. While you have the cover off, resist the temptation to clean any mirrored surface with anything wet - they're very easy to de-silver. A dry Q-tip used VERY lightly could be used to take off egregious dust, but don't sue me if you screw up.
Towards the rear of the assembly, somewhat left of center, you'll see a screw at a 45-degree angle; that's your close focus adjuster. To the left of it is a similar screw that goes straight in; that's the main focus adjuster.
To adjust the main focus, either find an object at infinity (like, a half mile away) or at the last marked distance on the lens. Focus on it with the ground glass if you have it, otherwise measure the distance. Note where this is on the focusing scale - use the DOF scale to help you if need - i.e. you can write down "the 1 of the 10m mark at left f/11" if that gives you the most precise description - then focus with the range finder (You may need to shield the mechanism with your other hand to keep out stray light). Note where it focuses the same way. Turn the main focusing screw about an eighth turn. I always forget which way is which, you'll find out in your first two tries 🙂 Now go back to the range finder. Take it clearly out of focus and then bring it back into focus. Note where you are on the focusing scale again - are you getting better or worse? By how much? Keep going until the rangefinder focus as read off the lens is exactly the same as the ground glass or tape measure reading. (If you have any tendency towards dyslexia you'll probably need to stop halfway through for an aspirin or a scotch.) At the end you'll be making adjustments to the screw that barely qualify as nudges. Now repeat this procedure using an object at a close focusing distance. I use the next-to-the-closest-possible distance on the lens, but that's not gospel. Anything under 10 feet should be fine. Remember to use the angled close focus adjusting screw, not the main adjusting screw.
Put the cover back on - you're done with the body! If you have additional lenses use the same procedure on them, but using the adjuster on the lens, and only at one distance, I use 12-15 feet, but it really shouldn't matter.