focusing

[john59]

This may seem a like a very dumb Q, I was playing around with the Quartz 5 today and wondered if I took my glasses off would I be able to see and focus through the eye piece, so I did so and did what it says in the book to set the focus to infinity and zoom on full, then turning the eye piece I eventually got a clear pin sharp image in the view finder. Now HERE'S the dumb Q. will the image be pin sharp on the film ????????


Best.

John.

[jpolzfuss]

Most likely.

You can test this with a folding rule, surveyor's tape or any camera with AF that shows the focussed distance:
Simply put the camera onto a tripod and try to focus a plant (once with zoom at tele and once with zoom at wide angle setting). In both cases you should end up with the same distance. And it should be the same distance as measured with the rule/tape/AF. I would try this for two distances between plant and Quartz: 1.5-2m and 4-6m (choose a distance that's engraved into your lens).

[john59]

Thank you for the reply...............

[Maurizio Di Cintio]

John, if you attempt focusing with the lens set at wide angle, you will get very inconsistent readings. The way you set the eyepiece is correct, that's what is described in most all manuals. But of course you have to ALWAYS set the focus after you have set the focal length to the maximum value available (telephoto end).

Anyway for peace of mind's sake it's good to check the focus with a measuring tape: this way you'll be positive the eyepiece is really properly adjusted (I hope you didn't put any strain on your eye when performing that adjustemnt, but kept it relaxed...).

[Will2]

Does the Quartz 5 have a removable lens? If so you might be able to take it to a local camera rental house and ask their techs to put the lens on a test projector; although it may have a strange mount...I'm not familiar with that camera.

I've been testing a few of my zoom lenses on a tech friend's bench and it's interesting to see how many are severely off. If you zoom in and focus, when you zoom out it should be in perfect focus still. Takes a real lens pro to adjust that (many lenses you can't adjust much or easily.)

[john59]

The lens is fixed in place. Thanks guys for your info, Yes indeed , when i focused the lens at full zoom it was in focus and when I pulled the zoom back to wide angle, it was still in focus. I have now shot to the halfway point and will shoot the rest at weekend. Then saend the film back to gaugefilm for development. Only then will I be sure that every thing has worked. It is strange that I am looking forward to the results with trepidation but loving the suspense..............is the normal ????????? lol.......... :lol:

[BAC]

It is strange that I am looking forward to the results with trepidation but loving the suspense..............is the normal

That's half the reason I do it!

[john59]

And the other half ??????????????? :lol:

[BAC]

And the other half ??????????????? :lol:

I get to tinker with old cameras and projectors.
Edit the film with my hands (not a computer mouse).
Watch the film on the projector with family (not on the internet).

[john59]

thats good...............................I never thought I would get that feeling again. its all to instant now, that feeling you get when you cant wait for the film to be returned and you open that yellow package and dig out the projector in anticipation of what was to come.......................................love it.

[kontrabass888]

I think maybe the sankyo hi focus system cameras will fit for you.
I have a Sankyo CME-1100, it has both reflex focusing and range finder focusing system.
the Range finder gives more accuracy when subject is on moving, and in the dim lighting condition.

8mm are such small gauge film, it is the most difficult gauge for focusing. I have seen so many videos of super8mm and most of them somewhat are not in focus.