soft focus prints with Fuji GS645S - rangefinder issue?

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I've done a pretty thorough search here but no luck.</p>

<p>My 8x10 prints are a bit soft - I scan the negs on an Epson 4490 flatbed scanner and print the scans on a dedicated b/w printer. I've used the same scanner/printer setup with some Rolleicord negs, and also some GA645 negs, and they're all quite sharp so I don't think my setup is the problem. Most of my subject matter is at or very close to infinity - historic buildings and streetscapes, that sort of thing. I should think with a wide angle lens, distant subjects, sunny day with small f/stops, that rangefinder adjustment being a bit off shouldn't matter. But what else could it be?</p>

<p>It's in repair now, with a respected repair guy, and the rangefinder seems to be ok. But he and I are a bit puzzled. The camera is in very clean shape, doesn't look like it has suffered any abuse. Got it used on the auction site. The 120/220 selector plate was set at 120, I never use 220 film.</p>

<p>Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks, all.</p>

<p>Consider that it may have had a frontal impact... mine did when I got it used and it looked fine. But there was a plastic part broken in the lens mount that wasn't obvious. If yours is broken in such a way as to move the lens rearward a bit, it could be backfocusing, and at times beyond infinity. Just a thought... (I had sent mine to Frank Marshman at Camera Wiz, a Fuji expert, to free up a sticky RF).</p>

<p>Very good thought, Doug, thank you. I'll pass that on to my repair guy.</p>

<p>Look at the negs w/ a loupe on a light box, or taped to a window. It may not be the camera but the scans. As you say, stopped down w/ a wide angle lens things should be sharp even if infinity is off a bit. It's very easy to ck this by opening the back, putting the shutter on 'B', placing some Scotch Magic tape tautly across the film rollers, putting the camera on a tripod and focused at infinity, and using a loupe or a 50mm lens as one to see if the image on the tape is sharp.</p>

<p>Even better is if you have a piece of a GG that you can lay on there instead of the tape. My GS645s took very sharp photos, but the shutter gave out and KEH couldn't get parts for it anymore. I never did get used to that loud shutter. </p>

<p>Thanks, Steve,</p>

<p>I do have a lightbox, and I examined my Fuji negs with a loupe. I found most of my 645 negs are quite sharp, and the few that aren't may be due to user error, sad to admit.</p>

<p>Actually I talked with my repair guy this am and he had tried something similar to your second suggestion. He has a piece of ground glass for checking focus on cameras and his belief is that my rangefinder is in adjustment.</p>

<p>As for the shutter noise, you're right about that. Actually, the whole camera does not inspire much confidence. But there are many features I like about it. And I remember that back in the 50's Agfa made a very simple P&S film camera called, are you ready for this, the "Agfa Clack"!</p>

<p>It's been a useful exercise. I thank all for the feedback.</p>

<p>Paul, you didn't mention processing the scanned files before printing. I use an Epson V700 and it's mandatory to touch up the images and add sharpening with Photoshop. I have scanned lots of 120 film and it's rare a file from the scanner is good enough to print. </p>

<p>Thanks, David, I tried a little sharpening and it did help. Seemed to add a little noise, though - not too bad. BTW, I was using PS Elements 9, it has an Adjust Sharpness feature, not quite the same as Unsharp Mask, apparently.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone, I think I've got this puppy licked.</p>