Moskva-2 Rangefinder alignment.

chodgson45

chodgson45

Grain is Good
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Jul 17, 2011
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Hiya guys,

I've got a Moskva-2 and have been doing some rolls with it. Unfortunately, I have found that the rangefinder is out of alignment. I purchased the camera from Fedka and the first few rolls were spot on.

Now my images are not sharp and when I align the image in the rangefinder, it does not match the image when using ground glass (I used a frosted CD case, as it does the same as ground glass, to verify the rangefinder was correct. Unfortunately, what the rangefinder tells me is in focus is not what is really in focus).

Does anyone have instructions on how to realign the Moskva-2's rangefinder?

I do realize that it is a medium format folder, and might belong in that section, however I figured someone in the FSU section might be able to assist me a little better.

Thanks,

Corey
 
Have you gotten in touch with Fedka, he is usually very good about standing behind anything he sells.

I know there is a pdf of the Russian repair guide on line in English, I was looking at it on line last night and was thinking about downloading it. But it's a large file and I got to doing something else and never did download it. When I get home tonight I will find it and post the link.

wbill
 
agfa100 said:
Have you gotten in touch with Fedka, he is usually very good about standing behind anything he sells.

I know there is a pdf of the Russian repair guide on line in English, I was looking at it on line last night and was thinking about downloading it. But it's a large file and I got to doing something else and never did download it. When I get home tonight I will find it and post the link.

wbill
Click to expand...

No, I have not contacted Fedka on the matter, it has been a year or two since I purchased from him and wasn't aware of anything he could do. I'll send an email to him shortly - thanks for the obvious thing that I clearly forgot! XD

Please and thank you for the guide, it would be more than welcome!

Ko.Fe. said:
I have my Moskva-2 and Moskva-5 realigned by myself to be sharp enough.


Speech. by Ko.Fe., on Flickr


I was using simple focusing chart and same frosted CD part. Plus DSLR with Macro lens instead of magnifying lens.

Moskva 2 is copy of Zeiss folder.

Same method as here:
http://www.dantestella.com/technical/superfix.html

http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/info/1.htm

Found it on:
http://www3.telus.net/public/rpnchbck/Moskva5.html
Click to expand...

Ah! Many thanks for the guide! I'll try to interpret the instructions tonight as it looks like the one is from the Ukraine and the English is a bit rough around the edges.

I've seen your images on Flickr, and they were one of the reasons I bought the Moskva-2. Thanks!
 
Got a reply from Yuri at Fedka, he said he was very busy at the moment and said that the alignment was a DIY job and that he didn't have a guide on hand.

No biggie, guess I'm doing that tonight!
 
chodgson45 said:
...
I've seen your images on Flickr, and they were one of the reasons I bought the Moskva-2. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Thank you! :)

Be careful, not to drop those three small screws on the lens ring.
I dropped one of those into my Zeiss Nettar, then I was re-aligning it.
It felt back few day later.
 
Looks like you have all the info you need for your project now. Good luck!! I also have a 5 that works great and a 2 which is in pretty rough shape, fun cameras to use every now and then.
wbill
 
agfa100 said:
Looks like you have all the info you need for your project now. Good luck!! I also have a 5 that works great and a 2 which is in pretty rough shape, fun cameras to use every now and then.
wbill
Click to expand...

Appears I do, Thanks! I love my 2. Mine is in rough shape but the lens is clear , bellows don't leak (but are SUPER worn out) and the shutter fires perfectly.
 
To be honest, first one, for Zeiss, was more helpful for me as well.

I just went through the thread on Russian forum where I was asking for help with my Moskva-2.

This is how I achieved accurate coupling of lens and RF alignment:

I was using one of the free from internet focusing charts.
Guys gave me link to this one:
http://www.fotosav.ru/articles/faq/back_focus/back_focus_testing.aspx

The trick is to keep it vertical and under 45 angle (one end is closer then another one to the camera.)

Use this one, which gives headache, just as reference for parts.
http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/info/1.htm

But it is the same as on Zeiss. May be where are some better ones.


Yours lens should be OK, because it was accurate before. It was no front or back focusing of the lens itself. You don't need to remove it. Just the ring above.

So, align RF first on close target and then couple the lens with RF, by using of same target, same distance. And at the end, carefully, put the ring on the lens back, to have lens and RF working together.

Check it on infinity after, should be OK.

Some glass retailer might have frosted glass in small pieces.
I never checked it. Went to dollar store, purchased small glass frame which was in size to fit into the Moskva. And wet sanded it with Comet powder at one side, and another kept on news paper.
It wasn't perfect, but good enough.

_MG_2385.jpg


But CD cover was OK too.
 
Ko.Fe. said:
To be honest, first one, for Zeiss, was more helpful for me as well.

I just went through the thread on Russian forum where I was asking for help with my Moskva-2.

This is how I achieved accurate coupling of lens and RF alignment:

I was using one of the free from internet focusing charts.
Guys gave me link to this one:
http://www.fotosav.ru/articles/faq/back_focus/back_focus_testing.aspx

The trick is to keep it vertical and under 45 angle (one end is closer then another one to the camera.)

Use this one, which gives headache, just as reference for parts.
http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/info/1.htm

But it is the same as on Zeiss. May be where are some better ones.


Yours lens should be OK, because it was accurate before. It was no front or back focusing of the lens itself. You don't need to remove it. Just the ring above.

So, align RF first on close target and then couple the lens with RF, by using of same target, same distance. And at the end, carefully, put the ring on the lens back, to have lens and RF working together.

Check it on infinity after, should be OK.

Some glass retailer might have frosted glass in small pieces.
I never checked it. Went to dollar store, purchased small glass frame which was in size to fit into the Moskva. And wet sanded it with Comet powder at one side, and another kept on news paper.
It wasn't perfect, but good enough.

_MG_2385.jpg


But CD cover was OK too.
Click to expand...

Thanks a million!!!!!!!!

I'll take care of it tonight!
 
Ko.Fe. said:
To be honest, first one, for Zeiss, was more helpful for me as well.

I just went through the thread on Russian forum where I was asking for help with my Moskva-2.

This is how I achieved accurate coupling of lens and RF alignment:

I was using one of the free from internet focusing charts.
Guys gave me link to this one:
http://www.fotosav.ru/articles/faq/back_focus/back_focus_testing.aspx

The trick is to keep it vertical and under 45 angle (one end is closer then another one to the camera.)

Use this one, which gives headache, just as reference for parts.
http://www.dvdtechcameras.com/info/1.htm

But it is the same as on Zeiss. May be where are some better ones.


Yours lens should be OK, because it was accurate before. It was no front or back focusing of the lens itself. You don't need to remove it. Just the ring above.

So, align RF first on close target and then couple the lens with RF, by using of same target, same distance. And at the end, carefully, put the ring on the lens back, to have lens and RF working together.

Check it on infinity after, should be OK.

Some glass retailer might have frosted glass in small pieces.
I never checked it. Went to dollar store, purchased small glass frame which was in size to fit into the Moskva. And wet sanded it with Comet powder at one side, and another kept on news paper.
It wasn't perfect, but good enough.

_MG_2385.jpg


But CD cover was OK too.
Click to expand...

Tried following the instructions and managed to screw up the vertical alignment. :bang::bang::bang::bang::bang::bang::bang::bang::bang:

I'll screw with this later. Should just stop messing with these things.
 
Yes, it happened to my Moskva too.

Follow this:

... The solution to this is to disassemble the RF arm cover. You will see that the circular glass is surrounded by two toothed wheels. When you turn the thumbwheel, these prisms rotate at different rates, in opposite directions. This is what lets the two prisms "walk" the double image across the rangefinder. You need to gently remove one and rotate it one tooth. Then run the thumbwheel back and forth. Eventually (and this could take an hour), the image will be vertically aligned at all distance settings. This means that you have managed to get the correct relationship between the wedge prisms (i.e., the correct "walking" angle. If there's any consolation to this time consuming process, it's that there are only a finite number of gear teeth on the wheel. Then redo the horizontal alignment as above.
Click to expand...
From here:
http://www.dantestella.com/technical/superfix.html
 
Ko.Fe. said:
Yes, it happened to my Moskva too.

Follow this:


From here:
http://www.dantestella.com/technical/superfix.html
Click to expand...

I thought I had it, got it reassembled and then it was screwy.

To be honest, might just closet this one/use it as scale focus. I know I'll screw it up out of frustration - and I'll do more damage to it.

Or if anyone wants this thing, they can have it (Seriously, I'm starting to look at TLR's now. I love the Super Ikonta style but the bellows make me nervous as hell, and I feel like I have to gingerly pry it open).
 
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