While doing tests to check on basic functions and film planeity of a DaYi rollfilm back (which I had to return : not plane at all, random view-spacing), I've been experiencing a very strange problem : what I focus on while shooting isn't what ends up being in focus on the film !
Never happened to me in 25 years : 4x5", 8x10", field, studio, portrait, still-life, whatever. Never.
The Sinar is straight : no tilts, no shifts.
My first option was to blame the new lens (Sinaron 55/4,5) - silly, I know. But the problem did happen whichever lens I used : 55 / 75 / 90 / 150 / 180 / 240 / 300 - same. I use the most open diaphragm so I can check exactly where the focus should be.
Even more strangely, the problem is more pronounced when I use wide lenses (55>90) rather than the longer ones.
Second option... my own eyes ! But it is out : did some shoots with a Yashica MAT-124G and they are are sharp as can be (great lens btw).
The problem is that whatever I focus on, the actual focus ends up in front of the desired (and dialed) focus point, closer to the camera. I am as sharp as can be on the ground glass and I even use my three different Norma backs to be sure.
Focus is (re)checked just before taking the image and after as well with a variety of loupes and eyepieces.
Whether I use a 4x5" chassis or the 6x9cm Horseman rollfilm back - don't matter, same problem. Still have to check my old 6x7cm Calumet C2 (just so I can say I've covered all the possibilities !).
I've uploaded a quickie sample made with the DaYi before returning it here and the Horseman back yesterday here (zoom in on both).
Simply put : whatever I focus on while making the shot should be the sharpest point on film. Even if the two Norma bodies are acrobatically spread, the focus point I choose becomes the film's sharp(est) spot - right ?
But isn't !
...any ideas ?
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