Technika III Mk.5 Rangefinder Adjustment.

[Tony Lakin]

Hi folks
Please excuse me if I have asked for advise on this previously, does anyone know how to adjust the rangefinder of a Linhof Technika III mark 5, last time I used the rangefinder must be more than 30 years ago and it was fine then with all 3 lenses with their matched cams, the camera has not had any impact of any kind over the years.

When I focus with any lens using the rangefinder and then check on the screen I have to advance the focusing rack by about 4mm to bring the screen image into focus, I have had a good look at the camera and tried many times to Google for a fix but no luck.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

[E. von Hoegh]

Are all three lenses off? By an equal amount?

[Tony Lakin]

Hi
Thankyou for your response, all 3 lenses are off by an equal amount.

Regards
Tony

[ic-racer]

If you are sure you ground glass image is in the same plane as the film will be, and it is 4mm off at infinity, your infinity stops are not set correct. I don't think you have a problem with your rangefinder.

However, if I were to guess, I'd say there is an issue with the ground glass placement (and the ground glass image is not at the film plane). Did you ever take the back apart?

[Bill_1856]

If it's like my Tech IV, the infinity focus point of your cam depends on the slot fully seating against a little screw. Either the screw needs loosening/tightening, or more likely, there is something preventing the cams from fully seating against it (probably crud or corrosion after all those years).

[Tony Lakin]

Thankyou for your reply IC-R, the infinity stops are factory cut in the top rail and not movable, the back is not an issue either.

[Tony Lakin]

Thanks Wilhelm, have just taken a look at those things but all is clean, there is small disc of metal under the bottom rail which the cam bears onto this is held in place by a screw, I wonder if this can be adjusted, could this be the problem?

[E. von Hoegh]

Thanks Wilhelm, have just taken a look at those things but all is clean, there is small disc of metal under the bottom rail which the cam bears onto this is held in place by a screw, I wonder if this can be adjusted, could this be the problem?

First, and most important, is not to move or change anything until you know with certainty what has changed since the RF was accurate. The disc you mention could have moved, there may be dust in the RF machanism, and so on. I have a ST IV, and I'm not very familiar with the III.

Is the top rail where it should be? Thast's all I can think of, since you say all lenses are off equally.