Moskva-2 test photos out of focus, any ideas?

[bobby_novatron]

Hi everyone, wasn't sure if I should put this in the "medium format" forum, but I think there's more Russian RF fans lurking on this particular forum.

Problem: I recently got a beautiful Moskva-2, mint condition, 1955 model. Everything on it seems to work, no light leaks.

I did a test roll. During my test shots, the rangefinder focused to infinity, so I assumed everything was OK. Vertical alignment was out a hair, but horizontal alignment was totally fine.

After I developed my pictures, I found the focus is off in every photo. Any test shots I took below F8 are all blurry, even though I am certain at the time I was focusing correctly. BTW I was also careful about shutter speeds, never shooting anything slower than 1/60 and being careful not to shake the camera when I was shooting.

I found a website that talks about adjusting/repairing Moskvas but it's poorly translated from Ukrainian (I assume) and I'm not sure what the solution is.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Its possible on a Leica for infinity alignment to be correct but close and medium dostances to be off on the RF if it is not adjusted right. I suppose thats possible with the Moskva

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Did you check as described here:
http://members.tripod.com/rick_oleson/index-123.html

Cheers,
Uwe

 

[xxloverxx]

Check film flatness and shine a torch through the lens (something might've gone wrong with the glass, including misalignment of elements?). Random guesses based on stuff I've read before.

 

[Mablo]

I learned a good trick one day how to keep film flat with folders. You see folders are naturally light tight but many of them are also quite air tight. Unfolding the camera may create negative pressure on the film plane. To avoid this wind the film as the very last thing before pressing the shutter release.

 

[ZeissFan]

First, check the collimation of the lens. If infinity focus isn't set correctly, then all other marked distances will be misfocused as well.

 

[bobby_novatron]

Thank you to everyone for their contributions on this issue.

1. Infinity focus seems to be fine (everything aligns properly) but perhaps there is another issue...

2. I will consider the film flatness issue, and only wind the film after opening bellows and immediately before shooting the photo (thanks mablo)

3. Mis-alignment of lenses is also a possibility...

More detective work needed! 🙂

 

[Proteus617]

Thank you to everyone for their contributions on this issue.

1. Infinity focus seems to be fine (everything aligns properly) but perhaps there is another issue...

🙂

You mean the rangefinder and distance marks on the barrel align properly? If so (as suggested above) you need to collimate the lens. The industar on the M is a front cell focuser, and the focusing unit of the lens is at an incorrect distance from the rear element. Good site here describing the process. It's pretty simple. I would suggest using a loupe on the ground glass.