Calibrating Rangefinder

[scorpius73]

ok. i sent my super ikonta IV in for a cla. when i got it back the rangefinder was way off. 3 rolls of film out of focus. i figured out how to calibrate the rangefinder by turning a screw. so here is my question.
i have a tape measure. im using 5 ft as my distance to calibrate. now here is the question im trying to figure out. do i calibrate by using the viewfinder as my start point for 5 ft. or do i use the front of the lens for the start point of 5 ft. right now i may be off by 5 inches using the viewfinder as my start point. im just trying to get it calibrated if i use f3.5. thanks.

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Use the back of the camera as a reference point, then move it slightly back so that the film plane is exactly at the 5 ft mark (compensate for the thicknesses of the back plate and the pressure plate). The method applies to all RF cameras. It would be wise to mount the camera on a tripod for the duration of this procedure. Also tape a paper with, say, an X, to the wall for quick check whether the rangefinder agrees with the true distance of five feet.

[scorpius73]

i taped a mustard packet to the wall. then i set my camera up on the tripod. i then measured five feet from the wall to the film plane. ill shoot a roll to check it out this afternoon.

[POSTI-Tuomo]

i taped a mustard packet to the wall. then i set my camera up on the tripod. i then measured five feet from the wall to the film plane. ill shoot a roll to check it out this afternoon.

Alright! Let's keep fingers crossed.

[scorpius73]

the negatives are drying now. they look to be in focus!:D ill scan them later this evening. even f3.5 looks great. ill post them to see too.

[POSTI-Tuomo]

Hey, great! :) Looking forward to see the scans... :cool:

[scorpius73]

here are the results
http://flickr.com/photos/31012019@N00/sets/72157600953402700/

[POSTI-Tuomo]

A-ha! So it looks you calibrated the rangefinder well. The lens on your camera seems to be sharp! How much did your Ikonta cost?

PS. I like "Flowers at National Archives". :)

[scorpius73]

i payed $250 for the camera. then i payed $124 for the cla. thanks for the compliment.