Focusing calibration?
- Thread starter Riotbmx
- Start date
Theoretically, SLRs are WYSISYG, there should not be any focusing calibration issues that occur for rangefinders (apart from a miscalibrated infinity hard stop). There could be a chance that the focusing screen is not sitting in the holder properly or that you are swaying back and forth a few cm without realizing it 
Riotbmx
Senior Member
Thanks for the replies. I just check and the focusing screen seems a little out of place. I was suspecting my skills too, but the the funny thing is that the results I get from the FE with the same lens turns out good. So I tried another roll on the FM and I still get the focusing off 
I interprete your problem to be : When you focus and shoot, the focus is accurate but when the prints come back from the lab, the focus is out.
assuming you're shooting on a tripod. only 2 things to check.
1) like what the rest say, focusing screen... its may be out of place or more likely, wrong side up. The "grounded" surface should be facing down
2) Your mirror is resting in the wrong position resulting in focus shift. I had that problem with a russian Zenith camera before. I'll be surprised if it happens to a nikon though.
assuming you're shooting on a tripod. only 2 things to check.
1) like what the rest say, focusing screen... its may be out of place or more likely, wrong side up. The "grounded" surface should be facing down
2) Your mirror is resting in the wrong position resulting in focus shift. I had that problem with a russian Zenith camera before. I'll be surprised if it happens to a nikon though.
wootsk
Deregistered
Actually i suspect the back pressure plate. Have seem quite a number of nikon slr without the plate or having a plate that is so pressed in that it doesn't press the film flat. Personally i find the fm and fe older camera mostly have issue either to design failure that cannot withstand test of time or just plain damaged. But still, most seller are able to pull off a sales to novice buyer.
fatigue
Senior Member
You can try to focus on something very far and check your lens focus if it is set to infinity. Try another lens or try another body. With this method, you can zero-in to problem root cause (camera or body) without wasting film
Another possible cause could be a diopter installed on your viewfinder.
Another possible cause could be a diopter installed on your viewfinder.
Riotbmx
Senior Member
I think I found the problems. The mirror isn't set properly, the holder is bent so the mirror is slanted. And the focusing screen is not mounted properly, I compared it with my FE and there's supposed to be some kind of spring to push the screen up. So that means the focusing screen a a few about 1-1.5mm lower than it should be.
I don't think I'll be repairing it, did a little Google and the cost for these parts is quite costly. I'll just get another 2nd hand FM instead, was looking at a FM2 but it doesn't mount Non AI lenses
I don't think I'll be repairing it, did a little Google and the cost for these parts is quite costly. I'll just get another 2nd hand FM instead, was looking at a FM2 but it doesn't mount Non AI lenses
wootsk
Deregistered
Nothing to be surprise. I don't really have much faith in those FE and FM camera too much. They aren't really meant to withstand test of time. Having too fast shutter (I wonder the need since older film reciprocity failure might occur pass 1/1000) during that time with that current engineering capability just means issue in the future, I have seem a lot of shutter damaged FM, but those new film shooter are still getting them and I don't understand why. (Because it is chrome and looks cool?)
I think they just dunno how to buy camera la.. haha.. they only see exterior condition..
If you need to use Non AI lenses, you shud consider getting a F3 instead. Better, more durable and equally cheap and can use both Non AI and AI lenses. Just make sure you get one is gd mechanical condition and check the battery cap for corrosion.
Nikon is SLR, Leica is a rangefinder.. I think it is very very far apart... maybe they are referring to the durability; if so, then it is about there la.. but to assume every nikon or leica is a tank just because the internet says so.. is not true.. it can be generalized, but it still varies from camera to camera and how well they were taken care off..
wootsk
Deregistered
:bigeyes:OMG
I wonder in which area except the chrome look do you call a Nikon closest substitute to Leica? I even wonder who are those who mentioned that? Nikon FM fanboy, seller or collector?
I think I can sell more camera case which looks nice nice. I am in the mood to troll again when seeing the interesting post about Nikon and Leica.
Trolling: Anyone wants a HOLGA m6 for $1000 only? Chrome like silver painted top and brown bottom with a Leica logo hand-carved by a screwdriver. Kim Kim version going for $500 extra.
Riotbmx
Senior Member
I guess it's really up to how you use the camera. The FM I got with this problem is a really beat up body given by a friend. My uncle has a FM and FM2 which he uses every other weekend for the past 25 years, they still work fine. Old cameras like vintage bikes/cars have their flaws, and that's what makes them so appealing. You don't buy a classic Mini and compare it with a Honda Jazz
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