8mm Forum: Elmo 1012s-xl focusing issues...

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Posted by Niall Conroy (Member # 2587) on June 02, 2011, 08:36 PM:

Greetings all!

hope you could all shed some light here...

After much research and bidding, I've happily been able to purchase a beautiful Elmo 1012s-xl. In seemingly perfect condition...or so i originally believed.

While testing it out (i have yet to run a roll of film through her) I found that the focusing was ever so slightly 'out' while I was either at the lenses widest (7.5mm) or most telephoto (75mm).

In terms of the infinity focus issue - If i was to point the camera at a far off branch on a tree (well over 100m) zoom in to 75mm, rack the lens to infinity - the branch would be slightly soft and the split imaging focus would be slightly out of line - however, If i ever so slightly rack the lens away from infinity focus - the branch comes into full focus and is aligned perfectly with the split imaging focus.

I have a feeling this issue could just be due to the viewfinders diopter not being set up correctly to my eye, however - the cameras supposed diopter adjuster doesn't seem to want to move for me, and is extremely stiff (doesn't move an inch). So much so that I'm afraid to try force it.

In terms of the focus issue when the lens is at its widest - again a similar issue alike when at 75mm, close objects that I try to focus on (from 1.5m and beyond) don't seem to fully align with the split image - however, if i zoom in a small bit I can achieve perfect focus with the split images aligning perfectly.

Maybe i'm being too anal and percise here... and i've recently only discovered how finicky focusing with super-8 cameras can be (due to their being no ground glass i believe?)

anyway, if you can - some wise words or suggestions would be lovely.

peace

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