MG-1 Photos all blurry

[Rezultz]

I just picked up my 3rd Yashica for close to nothing... A MG-1 in pristine physical condition. I ran my first roll of film through it this weekend and something is terribly wrong. Focus is off big time. Every shot was blurry beyond recognition. Even taking a landscape shot at f16 focused at infinity turns out an extremely blurry shot. Could adjusting the RF via the hotshoe cover fix this? Or is this something more serious? Any ideas?

 

[bayusuputra]

I just picked up my 3rd Yashica for close to nothing... A MG-1 in pristine physical condition. I ran my first roll of film through it this weekend and something is terribly wrong. Focus is off big time. Every shot was blurry beyond recognition. Even taking a landscape shot at f16 focused at infinity turns out an extremely blurry shot. Could adjusting the RF via the hotshoe cover fix this? Or is this something more serious? Any ideas?

Yes, maybe RF alignment is way off, but most probably it is lens focusing problem, because at f/16, if you focus at infinity, or use the correct hyperfocal distance (abt 4m in MG-1), everything should be in focus from 2m onwards, even if the RF alignment is a little off..

there is no window for RF adjustment in MG-1, i think? I think you need to take the top off, make it topless! 😀

But maybe i'm wrong, cus i am still a newbie..

 

[b1bmsgt]

Wow, that's a weird one! Possibly the lenses are extremely dirty, or one of them may have come loose and become unscrewed. This is definitely something other than the RF being out of adjustment. As bayusuputra said, at f16 and focused to infinity, you should be in perfect focus. Definitely a physical problem somewhere...

A thought just came to me... take a look at the negatives and see if they are in focus or not. Maybe they messed up when they printed them? (or did you do your own developing?) Anyway, just another possibility.

Russ

 

[Shahin]

I would buy a new one. The MG-1 deliveres fantastic pictures and is very easy to use but the best thing is that they are very cheap to buy.

 

[Rezultz]

It's just a shame to have such a nice piece as a paperweight. Not gonna buy a new one...I already own an Electro GT.
I did my own developing and i developed 3 rolls that night. The other two rolls came from a Yashica Mat and all pics came out great. I'm thinking that maybe the lens aperture isn't working. If at f16 it should have been in focus for a landscape shot. The pic looks like I used f1.7 with an unknown point of focus. Gonna take a look at the camera when i get home.

 

[farlymac]

Could be the seller knew it was worth close to nothing after he messed with it. I agree with Russ about a problem with one of the lens elements, or maybe bad processing. Here is something you might try. Make sure the battery is in the camera, and it is mounted on a tripod.

Cut out a piece of plastic from a blister pack the proper size to cover the film frame in the camera, scuff up one side with some fine sandpaper, and open up the camera and tape it on the frame with the scuffed side towards the lens. Then cover the meter window with some black electrical tape. Make a target using electrical tape on a piece of white cardboard about two feet square, and place about ten feet in front of the camera.

Open the shutter, and hold the button down (a locking release cable is good for this). That should give you a few seconds to look at the image on the plastic with a magnifying glass or loope to see if you can get it to focus.

If you can't see it come into focus, then remove the plastic, and look through the elements of the lens to see if there is anything directly in the center of the light path. Operate the aperture through it's full range to make sure all the blades are moving correctly.

PF

 

[Frontman]

I've picked up a few old Yashicas which have been tampered with, or cobbled together from 2 or more different cameras. One commonly tampered with part is the lens. Often lens elements have been swapped out because of fungus etc. I even got a camera with the rear element missing altogether. Make sure to check the film pressure plate behind the film door, maybe it's not pressing the film flatly, or it's missing altogether.

Especially with Yashicas, outward appearance has little to do with performance. The more used and beat up a camera is, the more likely that it will work. I have a new in the box GTN which doesn't work, probably because it was never used.

My best Electros are my old and brassy CCN, and a very beat up looking Professional. Despite their appearance, they take excellent pictures.

 

[Rezultz]

Frontman -
You nailed it! I guess I just didn't notice but the film pressure plate is missing.
Now the question is where can I get a replacement film plate?
Thanks!

 

[Frontman]

Amazingly enough, of the 50 or so Electros I have had, I have never had an MG-1. The pressure plate may be the same type used on the G series cameras. You can try the plate from your GT and see if it fits, simply pull the plate off by lifting it straight up (away from the film door). You'll see how it is attached once it is removed. If the plate fits on your MG-1, you can buy a junker Electro and salvage one from it.

 

[Maiku]

Rezultz,

I have a junk Yashica GS. Send me a PM with your address and I will be happy to mail the pressure plate to you.

Maiku

 

[Rezultz]

Maiku-
That's very kind of you. Russ has already offered to send one out to me. People on RFF rock.