Hello,
I have been using my first 5 x 4 camera for a while now and haven't yet had a satisfactorily sharp image.
Details
Camera Shen Hao
Lenses Super Angulon 65mm f 5.6 and Symmar 135mm f 5.6. Cable release always used.
Most negatives are landscapes shot at f22 or f32 for usually about 1 sec.
Film/ Developer Adox 50 ASA developed in home made acutance developer for around 10 minutes or Rodinal 1:100 for 60 minutes.
All shots taken on a tripod.
The Super Angulon has a dished lens panel and the lens panel mounting legs have to be aligned at about 60 degrees backwards and then the lens panel manually set to parallel with film plane.
What I've tried:
Checked the distance from the edge of the ground glass screen to the surface of the ground glass screen, then compared this to the comparable distance on my film holders. All are equal and identical.
Set up books at varying distances from the camera, indoors on a sturdy tripod to eliminate any possibility of camera shake. I then focussed on the middle book at varying apertures with both lenses. Results showed that the book focussed upon, is actually the sharpest, but still not acceptably sharp.
Checked the negatives with an 8X loupe and fuzziness could be seen easily. This rules out scanning and subsequent processing.
I am reaching the hair tearing stage. Do I have to assume that both of these Schneider lenses are no good. I find this difficult to believe. The Super Angulon was sold from a reputable dealer to me graded as E++. It is apparently in excellent condition visually.
The Symmar also appears in excellent condition but was bought on Ebay.
Am I doing something stupid? Any suggestions?
Thank you
Jack
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