petrus Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 I have just bought a beautiful old Moskva-5. On magnifying a scanned test picture of a brick there seems to be an alignment problem. The bricks are very sharp from left edge of the picture a little more than half way across where a degree of softness is observed across to the right edge. The film was scanned onto a CD at a photo lab. I assume that the scan is not to blame. I wonder whether the lens is out of alignment or whether the pressure plate is the problem. In either case, I wonder if this can be corrected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bueh Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Welcome to the joys of vintage folder cameras! A misaligned front standard or film flatness issues are especially common in 6x9 format and are exciting features often encountered in these old picture-takers. Of course this can be corrected, a skilled technician can perform a thorough <abbr title="clean, lube & adjust">CLA</abbr> that rarely cost twice as much as what you paid for the camera in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_shriver Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 It also depended on how hung-over the prole building the camera on Monday was after his weekend binge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petrus Posted May 20, 2006 Author Share Posted May 20, 2006 Thank you, Bueh, for your reply. If you would recommend someone for the job I would be grateful. John, I take it that a only mild hangover would suffice to distort the front part whereas it would take a bad one to do the pressure plate plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_p6 Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 Moskva surviving guide, short : + Remove the back and bend back the springs that push on the film spools. These springs are usualy too slack, and they contribute a LOT to the film flatness by keeping some tension between the spools + Always unfold the camera /slowly/ otherwise the air intake in the bellow will suck the film into the body, ruining the film flatness + Always wind /just before/ shooting to ensure the filn is nice, tidy and tense when you expose it a few seconds later Of course you could have some camera frame issue with your model, but I reckon these small tips will always improve things anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petrus Posted May 20, 2006 Author Share Posted May 20, 2006 Thank you very much Michael! I followed your advice. Can�t wait to see the results. Regards, P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_mckeith Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 Isn't that a dual format camera? If you don't have the 645 mask,make one out of black card stock,available at any craft store(like A.C.Moore).I think that's the cheapest way out to make it a good user--- not to mention you'll get 16 instead of 8 frames and be using mostly the center of the lens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_p6 Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 The moskva 5 can shoot 6x6, not 645, given the proper mask. And no you can't manufacture one out of cardboard, unless you want to forcibly drag the emultion side of the film on a piece of cardboard. Also I don't see the point of shooting a 6x9 with a reduced frame. More frames per film ? who care ? I could also get 36 of them on 35mm film, but I think one shoots 6x9 to get... 6x9 frames :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petrus Posted May 21, 2006 Author Share Posted May 21, 2006 I wonder if a piece or two of some elastic, rubber like material placed against the film spool, say at both ends, might help to keep the film taut, preventing it from unwinding and becoming slack. There will be some additional strain on the mechanism when the film is wound on, but perhaps it might be worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_mckeith Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Michael- card stock is very smooth and pretty rigid.I've made a number of masks with it and never had a scratch. "who wants to shoot 645 on 6X9?---maybe someone who only has half the 6X9 frame in focus.:>) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lili_elrod Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Petur Michael and other have some good advice. Dante Stella has some advice at his site; http://www.dantestella.com/technical/superfix.html Good luck :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tito sobrinho Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 ...you'll get 16 instead of 8 frames... How are you going to expose 16 frames? The Moskwa doesn't have 2 consecutive red windows in order to divide the 6x9 frame...one red window on its middle back for 6x6 and one on its botton for 6x9! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_mckeith Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 "I did not know that" (Ed McMahon voice) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petrus Posted July 3, 2006 Author Share Posted July 3, 2006 Thank you all for your contributions. I have fixed the pressure plate springs and I am satisfied that it bears evenly on the back of the film. But the problem persists and I have found that there are focussing problems as well...faulty lens or rangefinder -or both? A beautiful lemon that Moskva! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now