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Thread: Gowlandflex question

  1. #11

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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    Hey all - yet another question.

    Is there a problem with storing this camera on its back (horizontally, lenses pointed up)? Or am I courting issues with the viewing lens mirror alignment or sone other unknown danger?

    I was hoping to keep the camera in a padded video camera shoulder bag with a doctor opening. I was hoping to avoid the camera living in a gigantic Tenba case that arguably doesn’t lend itself to getting out into the field.

    Thank you, all!

  2. #12

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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    My math is becoming suspect but a 6 diopter monocle or reading glasses should focus at 6 inchesish and help with the focusing hood.

  3. #13

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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    Quote Originally Posted by cowanw View Post
    My math is becoming suspect but a 6 diopter monocle or reading glasses should focus at 6 inchesish and help with the focusing hood.
    Thanks for the tip - I will have to look into picking up some readers! I was hoping that I wouldn't cross into reading glasses territory until later in life though suppose that my entry would be marked by an asterisk if used primarily for focusing a camera.

  4. #14

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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    Heeeeeello all -

    I’ve shot a dozen sheets of film and unfortunately am pretty frustrated - my lenses appear to be out of collimation. Or sync. Or something.

    The following Spydercal target was photographed at f 16, mounted on a rock solid tripod, and focused with the aid of a loupe. Pretty back focused, eh?

    Click image for larger version. 

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    All of my photographs focused on my patient sitter’s eyes are back focused on the hair on the side of his head. Glorious, sharply focused hair.

    After reading the old calibration thread again I woke up early and checked my camera for the existence of the screw under the reflex mirror and found the following - is this it?

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Before I muck this up, is that the screw for adjusting the viewing lens ground glass? Is it folly to attempt working on this myself?

    As always, a huge thank you to all involved.

  5. #15
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    Gowlandflex were often customized at the tiny factory, the list was long, I may have it somewhere in Digital hell, but it would not help you

    Meaning variations abound and your camera may have different lenses from the original calibrated setup

    Check your focus both at the rear GG and top GG at least 3 distances, they must match

    All I know is mine has no little knob for quick calibration of anything

    and the flat cam probably has only one sweet spot

    Shimming one lens MAY solve the problem, but there are also bad lenses

    Buyer beware always
    Tin Can

  6. #16

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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    Quote Originally Posted by Tin Can View Post
    Gowlandflex were often customized at the tiny factory, the list was long, I may have it somewhere in Digital hell, but it would not help you

    Meaning variations abound and your camera may have different lenses from the original calibrated setup

    Check your focus both at the rear GG and top GG at least 3 distances, they must match

    All I know is mine has no little knob for quick calibration of anything

    and the flat cam probably has only one sweet spot

    Shimming one lens MAY solve the problem, but there are also bad lenses

    Buyer beware always
    Thank you for the tips - I appreciate it. I primarily am looking to use it for head and shoulders portraits so if a sweet spot is inevitable I would prefer for it to land closer than further away.

    I am planning on checking the focus for both lenses later today and will do so at multiple distances. Suddenly my view camera is a joy to use in comparison.

    Do you think that the screw that I photographed and posted is used for adjusting the ground glass? Or may it be a red herring?

    Thank you!
    Last edited by joelio; 10-Nov-2020 at 06:48. Reason: Typo

  7. #17
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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    I am sure that screw does not adjust GG

    That would be a really bad idea on any camera

    Gowland used standard Speed Graphic Graflok back on the 4x5 models, there were seven 8X10 made

    Read this https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/graphicbacks.htm
    Last edited by Tin Can; 10-Nov-2020 at 07:00. Reason: Add Grafloc back
    Tin Can

  8. #18

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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    Quote Originally Posted by Tin Can View Post
    I am sure that screw does not adjust GG

    That would be a really bad idea on any camera

    Gowland used standard Speed Graphic Graflok back on the 4x5 models, there were seven 8X10 made

    Read this https://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/graphicbacks.htm
    Thank you for the info - I appreciate it.

    I am not a TLR aficionado. Are these collimation problems also common with Rollei and Mamiya TLRs?

    I will share the results of the target tests ASAP.

  9. #19
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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    I have no problems with my TLR Mamiya or my $30 Yashicas

    In fact I prefer the cheap Yashica 6X6, my 4x4 is not worth bothering with

    Colimnation may be the wrong terminology for syncing 2 lenses

    Here's more obfuscation https://www.rangefinderforum.com/cla...tml?1331432585
    Tin Can

  10. #20

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    Re: Gowlandflex question

    This is fascinating stuff - thank you. I think that you are correct re misusing "collimate" and I will use a different word or phrase going forward.

    I cannot wait to get the testing rolling later today. I am curious if this camera is accurately paired at some longer focussing range.

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