Setting Infinity on a Linhof 6x9

[davidmknoble]

As I am new to the bellows and view camera style, I am trying to set the infinity stops on a “Baby Linhoff” 6x9cm system. I was using a 90mm lens and thought I was close, but after developing a roll of film it is clear inifinity is a little out of focus. I used a magnifier on the ground glass, but I’m not sure that I have the stops perfectly perpendicular to the focus rails.

Anyone with experience in this I’m all ears!
Thanks.

 

[Richard700]

As I am new to the bellows and view camera style, I am trying to set the infinity stops on a “Baby Linhoff” 6x9cm system. I was using a 90mm lens and thought I was close, but after developing a roll of film it is clear inifinity is a little out of focus. I used a magnifier on the ground glass, but I’m not sure that I have the stops perfectly perpendicular to the focus rails.

Anyone with experience in this I’m all ears!
Thanks.

1) If you focused on something at infinity on the ground glass (or anything else for that matter), and it is not sharp on your negative then your ground glass is out of position.
2) To get your bed stops square to the bed, you need a little square piece of anything (or something you know is square) to get your bed stops square to the bed.
An easy trick to check infinity on any rangefinder is to draw a line exactly the length of the base of the rangefinder (the distance between the two windows) On any Linhof's in particular, the distance will be an even number, so don't be concerned about your measurement being un-accurate - it is NOT an uneven number. My 4x5 and 5x7 Technikas are 90mm - my III series medium format ones are 70mm.
Draw a line on a piece of paper as accurately as you can that exact length. Put arrow shapes on each end (see pic). At infinity, the two arrows will line up opposite each other - at WHATEVER distance this paper is placed away from the camera - distance from the camera to the paper is not relevent, the length of the line is what is important. If the arrows do not line up, then the infinity position of your cam is off.
You can then check your ground glass on the perfect infinity target (the moon) to see if your ground glass is correct.

 

[davidmknoble]

Thanks @Richard700 . I have a few lenses with no cam (as I mainly use a tripod and ground glass). I get the square tip and I can find something for that. Does. None know how far an object should be to set the infinity focus without the rangefinder method.

 

[Richard700]

Thanks @Richard700 . I have a few lenses with no cam (as I mainly use a tripod and ground glass). I get the square tip and I can find something for that. Does. None know how far an object should be to set the infinity focus without the rangefinder method.

The furthest you can find - at least 1/2 mile - the moon is best, of course.
However, if you're always using the ground glass for focusing, it really doesn't matter, does it?

 

[davidmknoble]

The furthest you can find - at least 1/2 mile - the moon is best, of course.
However, if you're always using the ground glass for focusing, it really doesn't matter, does it?

It does matter. The stops allow me to move whichever lens is mounted to infinity quickly. It’s efficient and makes for better metering and adjusting from one roll to another. Unless I’m missing something, isn’t that the way we do it in larger formats with bellows? Again, I’m new, happy to adjust..

 

[Richard700]

It does matter. The stops allow me to move whichever lens is mounted to infinity quickly. It’s efficient and makes for better metering and adjusting from one roll to another. Unless I’m missing something, isn’t that the way we do it in larger formats with bellows? Again, I’m new, happy to adjust..

I was referring to the accuracy of your infinity stop - if your'e ultimately going to focus on the ground glass anyway, how accurate do you really need your infinity stop to be?