KW Pilot 6 focus question

[rknewcomb]

Hi,
I believe the lens on a KW Pilot 6 are front cell focusing and not a true helical, is that correct? Even with a front cell focus, you should be able to see the focus change on the ground glass right? I realize that these are not bright modern cameras but turning the focus "ring" should move the focus on the ground glass?
I recently bought a nice clean one with the lens similar to the one in the attached picture. But no matter how I turned the focus ring I could not see the image focus change on the ground glass. i tried different subject distances and nothing.
And some kind person explain the red flag on the lens.

The seller told me this "The lens had been designed that way: you turn the focus ring out a bit, then the red flag is set to the specific distance, then you turn it back to. The camera had been produced from 1939. At that time, something different was photographed with the cameras than now. Mostly with "infinity"

I sent it back but would like to try another one if I can get one that will focus.
Thank you!!
Robert

 

[AgX]

Does the front lens-element move actually back and forth?
Or does just the distance scale rotate?

 

[rknewcomb]

Hi,
Since I did send the camera back I don't have it in front of me to know for sure. It seems like the front of the lens/cell was just unscrewing, would have come completely off if I kept turning. I also believe the distance scale turned with it.

 

[shutterfinger]

It is a front element focus triplet design.
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Pilot_Super

 

[Mr Bill]

But no matter how I turned the focus ring I could not see the image focus change on the ground glass.

Ahhh... the good old Super Pilot was the first camera I ever used, at the age of five. My pop made the mistake of letting me look into the viewing hood, and I was so enamored of the thing that I wouldn't give it back. So he showed me how to focus and trip the shutter, then advance the film, recock, etc., then let me kill off the rest of his roll of film.

Most definitely you should be able to see the focus change on the ground glass. Perhaps you had the lens stopped down too much, or didn't use the magnifier?

 

[AgX]

It seems like the front of the lens/cell was just unscrewing, would have come completely off if I kept turning.

In that case there must have been a focusing effect. Even if you turned the whole barrel out of its mount in the body.

Unless... that front cell, or the whole barrel, was already screwed out beyond good and evil.

 

[rknewcomb]

In that case there must have been a focusing effect. Even if you turned the whole barrel out of its mount in the body.

Unless... that front cell, or the whole barrel, was already screwed out beyond good and evil.

Hi again,
I wondered if wide open f2.9 I think, it was just so soft that I could not see it ever get sharper. Stopped down it was too dark to see much of anything.
Thanks for the help.
Robert

 

[GRHazelton]

I have a Komaflex S, a 127 SLR. It has a rather good four element f2.8, with front element focusing. You can definitely see the image come into or out of focus.

 

[thuggins]

I posted the same issue with a Baby Bessa. Rotating the front cell from full in to falling out makes no discernable change in focus, and there is not enough movement to achieve close focus. My theory is that some clever person replaced the rear cell at some point with one that was close, but not quite the same.