During the weekend I’ve decided finally to do some Backfocus/Frontfocus tests on my Rolleiflex 2.8C. I had a suspicion that camera has backfocus – everytime I took a portrait the focus plane was at the back of the head even though I correctly focused on eyes, I couldn’t believe that I was always wrong. On sunday finally I had a moment to make such a test, especially that I had Shanghai GP3 film which I suspected also won’t be in a good condition on previous roll on the photos I could see the marks left by the backing paper. The BF/FF tests would be a perfect subject for such film.
Below you can see some photos how that simple test looked like. Documentation taken with FujiFilm X100.
Tests
Tests
Tests
Tests
How the test construction with test chart looked on the photo taken with X100
Tests
And below FF/BF test taken with Rolleiflex 2.8C Test on GP3. As you can check on the photos I was right. Camera has a slight BF which is especially visible on the portraits. Well in fact I borrowed the Backfocus term from the Autofocus lens mounted to the SLR camera. In Rolleiflex which is Twin Lens Reflex Camera in fact we can say about problem in metering distance and difference between viewing and taking lens. When you framing and setting the in focus object while looking through the viewing lens, the focus of the taking lens is about 5 to 10 cm farther. You can clearly see it on the first photo on which I was focusing on the middle pen and in focus is the next pen a little bit farther. It’s even more visible when you check the second photo. On the camera was set the minimal distance 0.9m, and when looking through the viewing lens – in focus was second and third pen (I’ve noted down that in focus was blue and black pen, forgetting that I had b&w film… ). Photo shows that in focus – very sharp is 5th pen…
Results shows that the camera needs some maintenance, and until then I have to remember it and focus on the elements about 10cm closer, that way the main subject will be in focus.
I’ll try to give the camera to the local Rolleiflex guru for adjusting. I’m also considering selling the camera and hunting down another Rolleiflex 2.8 in better condition as mine has no coating on the lens and as you can see there is problem with the taking and viewing lens and I don’t know whether it can be fixed.
Rolleiflex 2.8C
Rolleiflex 2.8C
After taking those tests I still had two or three frames left. I’ve decided to take camera for a quick bike ride and test the GP3 film at the field. This second test roll of the Shanghai GP3 film was developed in APH09: (1+88, 25min in 23C with agitation every minute). The recipe is quite good – probably almost perfect for a good GP3 – mine film was faulty on the photos there are marks from the backing paper. You can see them especially on the first photo in black areas.
Rolleiflex 2.8C
Rolleiflex 2.8C