TBsq
Newbie
Hi, I tried to focus to infinty with several lenses on my Nikon F3, and they're all a millimeter away from that. How can I adjust that?
chambrenoire
Well-known
Is the focusing screen correctly in place?
Or do you mean all lenses "stop" before infinity?
Or do you mean all lenses "stop" before infinity?
View Range
Well-known
Your mirror may need adjustment. I had a similar problem with my F3 some years ago.
First of all you need to establish what needs adjusting.
Check the focus screen installation.
Work out what the film plane focus looks like. You will have a better idea of where the fault lies once you have verified the register of the body is correct.
Check the focus screen installation.
Work out what the film plane focus looks like. You will have a better idea of where the fault lies once you have verified the register of the body is correct.
peterm1
Veteran
I agree with the post below that it could be the focusing screen. In fact it seems the most likely culprit. Check that it is locked in position. If it is ok you may need to check that it's not been inserted wrong way round. If someone swapped out the screen and reinserted it wrongly I am guessing it could have an affect where nothing seems to focus. If this were the case though the lenses should be misfocussed throughout their entire range. Though at distances shorter than infinity I think this might only show up when the images were made and processed. But it is a guess as I never have had the issue myself. Failing this check the mirror to make sure nothing is askew or misaligned.
TBsq
Newbie
I really think so, but how can I be sure?
Yes
How can I do this?
What do yo mean?
How do I check that?
What is the right way?
Sumarongi
Registered Vaudevillain
... It's the lenses that cannot be focused to infinity, I understand.
--- You move the focusing ring but it stops before infinity is reached, right?
Can you tell us what lenses exactly have that problem?
Are you sure the lenses are inserted correctly?
(I mean, on a Nikon you have to insert the lenses the other way round than most other makes, that's in fact confusing!)
chambrenoire
Well-known
Perhaps it'd be easier to bring it to a shop near you that deals in old cameras, they could probably figure it out for you. An inspection takes 2 minutes, or maybe they even have a repair man that can take a look at it and fix it, if it needs fixing.
Anyways, best of luck! The F3 is a lot of fun.
Anyways, best of luck! The F3 is a lot of fun.
Sumarongi
Registered Vaudevillain
TBsq
Newbie
They're Nikkors 50mm f1.4 AI, 35mm f2 AI, 135mm f2.8 AI and 50mm f1.8 AF, but the results are the same.
Yes sure.
I already checked but there's no chapters that deals with troubleshooting.
benmacphoto
Well-known
I once had an F2 where the prism was out of alignment so what looked in focus was actually out of focus.
Replaced the prism solved this.
If you take the prism off and look at the focusing screen, does the lens focus properly?
Replaced the prism solved this.
If you take the prism off and look at the focusing screen, does the lens focus properly?
TBsq
Newbie
It's hard tell because the image is small, but I think it still doesn't work properly
Huss
Veteran
Where are you located? We could then perhaps suggest repair people who could take a quick look.
colker
Well-known
I have witnessed a photographer lose en entire advertizing campaign set of pics due to misplaced focusing screen. He reshot under his own budget. Painfull. I believe it was an F3.
Check the screen.
Check the screen.
TBsq
Newbie
In Rennes, France. It's hard to find somthing like that here.
Yeah but do do I check this screen?
TBsq
Newbie
Ok maybe I found the issue, it might be that the focusing screen is a one that goes on a Nikon F, not a F3.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
If it is an F/F2 screen frame, then you'll see differences. It is common for people to switch the condenser/groundglass between frames to get more light or increased focus accuracy or various aides: grids, crosshairs, etc. The frames of the screens don't interchange between the different models but the glass does.
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
presspass
filmshooter
Just to clarify, the F3 and F4 screens will both work in an F3. The F4 screens and some later F3 screens, usually indicated by a red dot on the screen frame, are brighter but that does not mean they are easier to focus with. Some AI and AIS lenses, the longer telephotos, will focus past infinity, but none should stop short of infinity. I'm still not clear about the lens focus, however. Can the lens focusing ring be moved so the infinity mark is next to the focus line on the lens mount? If so, the lens will be at infinity no matter what the screen shows. If the lenses do not move far enough to bring the infinity mark up to the focus line on the lenses, then the lenses themselves are faulty.
markjwyatt
Well-known
Try putting an 8x loupe on the screen and see if you can focus without the prism.
shimokita
白黒
If I understand you correctly when you try to focus to infinity the infinity mark (∞) does a hard stop about 1mm from the 'distance index dot'.
When you have the lens off the camera can you align the infinity mark (∞) with the 'distance index dot'?
If yes (they align) when the lens is not mounted on the F3 body, then maybe something in the camera / camera mount (?) is stopping the lens from fully rotating.
Just one thought...