Horseman 980 focus problem

Hi people, just wondering if someone can help me here. I recently bought a Horseman 980 with 105mm lens. All the test shots that I have taken with this camera have been out of focus - I have tried focusing with both the ground glass and the viewfinder, each giving different out of focus results. When I got the camera I realised that the little lugs on the belows rail were all over the place, so I am thinking that these have been moved around and that is why I am not getting correct focus. I do have the correct CAM for my particular lens so not sure why viewfinder focused shots are blurry? I did do some experimenting with the ground glass focusing and found that no matter where I set the lens on the belows rail, my shots were consistently out of focus, with the focus point being about by 50-60cm in front of the object I was focusing on?

 

Can anyone provide any advice as to why this might be so?

The ground glass focusing has to be accurate, unless you're using film holders that are not designed for the Horseman. So let me know which film back you're using and we'll try to figure this out. The Horseman 980/VH/VHR cameras are great cameras with a stellar lens set. Be patient, it'll be worth it once you get this sorted.

 

Are you using the correct infinity stops? They are color coded if I remember correctly. There's a colored dot on the shutter or lens board that corresponds to the proper infinity stop. Although if, as you suspect, they've been moved you'll have issues like the ones you're experiencing.

 

Is the ground glass focusing panel not properly seated? That will also throw your focus off.

 

JD

You aren't by any chance testing with Polaroid or Fuji instant film are you?

 

JD

Hi Joseph, yes the infinity stops have been moved, they were all over the place when I got the camera. I have since played around with their positioning and have managed to get the viewfinder almost to perfect focus. However the if I focus with the ground glass it is always off focus by about 50cm to the front of the object I am focusing on? I am using horseman film holders, ones that are advertised on ebay as being suitable for the 980? But it must be something to do with the positioning of the ground glass or the film plain surely...