Work

I like the composition of this and the various textures and tones. I am not quite so sure about where the focal point is. I would have focussed on the axe head but that appears to be behind the focal point. (I notice that my scans are not always in focus which may be due to a film flatness issue, perhaps this has happened here too).

You're quite right, Svenedin. It was frustrating to me also. One other frame, not posted, has a similar condition. I like the composition, but point of focus is not well placed. 'Happens most w/ rangefinders w/ soft light for me.

@ HiHo. I know what you mean. I'm sure you already know but you could try what I do with my Super Ikontas. If say, you wanted to focus on the axe head, you can move the camera slightly over a nicely defined edge until you see a good split image and focus there. Then move the camera back to compose the image as you want it. It should still be spot on focus because you haven't moved and the distance is the same.

'Big smiles. Yep. Even w/ split/microprism in an slr finder, its not always easy. This was the little XZ & the little patch for coincident focus is not very bright - not really better than the Ikonta or the Retina. When any of them properly hit their target, they deliver the goods.
I appreciate your kindness, graciousness Svenedin. I know you aren't a stranger to the issue.

Absolutely. I have always had trouble with focus. I have been taking quite a few shots recently to try to address the issue! It is not easy. Perseverance is the answer.

I think your photo is charming anyway so I hope I'm not being irritating about it.

Not at all, Svenedin. For me, its much more helpful to hear observations than get a false sense of progress. We work too hard to fool ourselves.

Good. I had a fiddle with the diopter correction on my OM4-Ti today. It may not have been adjusted quite right for my rubbish eyesight. I then tried focussing various lenses in poor light but didn't take any actual photographs. I will see if it makes any difference when I shoot some film. I have taken many photographs over the years where I was absolutely sure they were spot on but it turns out they were not so I am determined to crack this. Next week I am going to use a faster film (400 Delta) which should give me a smaller aperture and a little bit more depth of field which might let me get away with minor focussing errors. I need the faster film anyway for moving subjects (ships).

I've been using the magnifying finder on the blad & pleased w/ the result. It wears a Maxwell screen, which is supposed to be 2 stops brighter than the pre-acute matte screen it came with. Bill Maxwell suggested the mag. finder so brightness isn't lost bouncing through a prism finder. Mortality sucks (aging eyes) - I want a refund.

Really like your composition, tells the story well, but I would like that point of focus to be the foreground log....but that's just me!

Tony, Thank You! I was already out earlier today, re-shooting some images I wasn't satisfied with. I would guess the chopping block would record better if moved closer to the foreground logs - out of hard focus but still recognizeable.
I appreciate any and all observations you have & apprecaite your taking the time. 'Hope all is very well w/ you & yours.