themadvitaminstealer
Newbie
Just bought a Mamiya 7ii recently along with a 43 and a 65. Just saw the opportunity to be the first to post on this 'new' forum.
Even more recently registered here.
I do have a question...How accurate is the bubble in the 43 viewfinder? The tripod I'm using shows level and the viewfinder bubble appears a bit off. Have not been able yet to tell which is accurate, if either.
Thanks!
Even more recently registered here.
I do have a question...How accurate is the bubble in the 43 viewfinder? The tripod I'm using shows level and the viewfinder bubble appears a bit off. Have not been able yet to tell which is accurate, if either.
Thanks!
sf
Veteran
themadvitaminstealer said:Just bought a Mamiya 7ii recently along with a 43 and a 65. Just saw the opportunity to be the first to post on this 'new' forum.
Even more recently registered here.
I do have a question...How accurate is the bubble in the 43 viewfinder? The tripod I'm using shows level and the viewfinder bubble appears a bit off. Have not been able yet to tell which is accurate, if either.
Thanks!
Given that you are mounting things on top of things, and the viewfinder bubble is at the highest point, you are most likely to be looking at an accurate reading there and will have to find which point along the way you've lost balance.
Welcome to RFF. I'm a medium format RFFer too - see the avatar. I'd love to shoot with that 43mm lens!
drewbarb
picnic like it's 1999
Hey, there themadvitaminstealer- (mind if I call you "Vita-Thief" for short?) Welcome to the RRF! I know you said you have already picked up the 43mm and the 65mm, but the 50mm for this camera is one of the best performing lenses I've ever used for any camera. Really not to be missed.
Shutterflower is right in that the top-most bubble lever is more likely to be correct. However, IME those little bubbles on both your tripod and the finder should be relied upon as only "in the ballpark". If you want to get accurate, get a decent handheld level- doesn't have to be big- something like this one this one is perfect, IMO. You can rest this alog the top or back of the camera to get best accuracy.
Enjoy the new camera- I know you will- and welcome!
Shutterflower is right in that the top-most bubble lever is more likely to be correct. However, IME those little bubbles on both your tripod and the finder should be relied upon as only "in the ballpark". If you want to get accurate, get a decent handheld level- doesn't have to be big- something like this one this one is perfect, IMO. You can rest this alog the top or back of the camera to get best accuracy.
Enjoy the new camera- I know you will- and welcome!
Dougg
Seasoned Member
I agree that a separate and accurate level, say from a builders' supply place, would be a good check on the accuracy of the others. I got a small level years ago to check the alignment of my darkroom enlarger.
It might also be useful to line up your viewfinder framelines on an object known to be level, and compare the framelines with both bubble levels too. Some RF cameras have been known to suffer skewed framelines....
Due to this conversation it occurs to me to use my level also to compare with the bubble level on the top plate of the Fuji GW670III that should be wending its way to me now!
Expect you'll enjoy the Mamiya 7II and those nice wide lenses! And welcome to RFF...
It might also be useful to line up your viewfinder framelines on an object known to be level, and compare the framelines with both bubble levels too. Some RF cameras have been known to suffer skewed framelines....
Due to this conversation it occurs to me to use my level also to compare with the bubble level on the top plate of the Fuji GW670III that should be wending its way to me now!
Expect you'll enjoy the Mamiya 7II and those nice wide lenses! And welcome to RFF...
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sf
Veteran
Dougg said:
yes, my RF645's 45mm external viewfinder has skewed framelines, so I might be confused by a level.
themadvitaminstealer
Newbie
shutterflower said:
That's another thing. The highly distorted viewfinder for the 43. Yikes
I wonder if anyone makes or knows of an alternate thats workable and more useable. I rather doubt it but you never know.
Thanks for all the responses, will use a different level just to compare for now. Next I will have to figure out how to post photos in the galllery here. Looking forward to being a part of this forum.
rogue_designer
Reciprocity Failure
I havn't done the math, but I imagine you could buy the 21mm viewfinders by Zeiss or CV and get an approximate view with less distortion. But I don't know how precise your frame edges will be. That in conjunction with the spirit level and double accesory adapter VC makes - something that would look like this (apologies Stephen - linked from your site - but available at Cameraquest ) :
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