mateusz_broughton

I mean, I think this is wrong, but it is very late at night, so late that it is already very early... I'm completely confused with the calculation all in a sudden.

This is wrong. How can you reverse-plug the numbers and not reverse where the calculation applies to? Since you are plugging the reverse numbers and you are treating the negative as the subject, then that calculated DoF applies to that side of the lens. Also, if you are reverse-plugging the numbers, then if you treat the negative as subject then you can no longer use the 30cm distance in your calculations as the focusing distance, you'd have to use the distance between the lens and the negative. Having said that, such DoF calculations for prints are not practical, CoC is based on assumed viewing distance of the image. I'd use it as an estimate only.

Surprisingly, not a single thread on multiple photo forums explains how to actually calibrate the infinity focus of the taking lens itself on a Rolleiflex Automat. Forget about matching it with the viewing lens or the focus knob scale for a moment which are typical suggestions. Most people understand the testing procedure too, that is, it can be done either by using a ground glass on the film plane and viewing distant "infinity" targets on it with a loupe as a reference or by using a collimator. However, all the advices assume that the taking lens is capable of reaching the infinity to begin with. My problem is the taking lens of my Rolleiflex does not reach the infinity when the lens board is fully retracted all the way back. This means that no adjustment of focusing knob will fix the problem as the lens board is already at its minimal distance from the film plane and physically can't move any closer, and the adjustment of the viewing lens can at best make it match the taking lens, therefore making it also not reach the infinity. This means the taking lens has to be adjusted in relation to the lens board, reseated. Can anyone provide instructions of how this is done? I confirmed with a collimator that the infinity focus of the taking lens can't be reached. This is an absolute test and independent of viewing lens calibration and focus knob scale alignment, a test that eliminates speculations of what's wrong with the camera. It's the taking lens for sure. I fear that maybe the front or rear blocks have been swapped making it pretty much impossible to make this camera work but... Assuming that this is not the case, how would I go about calibrating the taking lens itself? Not asking about the testing procedure, it's about how to access the appropriate camera points of the mechanism inside for that adjustment. Thanks!

Double post.

@jon_noble That only adjusts the viewing lens, does nothing to the fact that the taking lens simply does not focus to infinity.

<p>Of course, we will never know if she used Rolleiflex T or not, and since she has taken thousands of photos it is safe to say that she did use it. But based on the fact it never appears in any of her self portraits, can it be said that this was <em>the</em> camera she used primarily? That's all I was saying, that for some reason there is a myth about it, and quite frankly posts like yours keep it alive. But it is not so serious... Cheers. </p>

<p>Yeah, she always switched her Rolleiflex T for a non-T when she took self portraits. For that reason she always carried 2 Rolleiflex cameras with her. </p>

<p>Jim, I guess by saying "nanny" you are referring to Vivian Maier. Out of numerous self portraits she has taken, not even in one of them does she hold a Rolleiflex T. All the Rolleiflexes she holds have characteristic aperture and shutter speed dials of the front lens board - Rolleiflex T does not have them. Prove me wrong and point me to her self portrait in which she is holding Rolleiflex T. </p>