Mamiya c220 focus issue

yadzmk · Oct 7, 2012

dear all,

i just bought a clean and working normally mamiya c220 with 105mm f/3.5 taking lens.Soo i inisiate to test it with a delta 100 to try first roll.after taking 12 shot, i developt the negative.But surprisely all the result was a miss focus image, but im sure i was focussing perfectly altough the focusing screen still in good condition and focusing mechanic still working smoothly.

then i recheck the condition from the lens, below dan film chamber.all seems in good condition.then i test it with second roll, and the same result i get like the result before.

does anyone got the same experience like me?? i need an input here..thanks in advance before.

BMbikerider · Oct 8, 2012

Can I suggest you check that the screen is seated correctly. They are interchangeable and can be put back in the wrong position. Also if you remove the screen, check the mirror, this may also have been removed at some time and not put back in the right position. is the pressure plate on the back of the camera in the correct place. too? If the image shows 'in focus' when you are taking the picture and on the results on film it are not then these ares practically the only things that can be out of position.

I doubt very much if the lens has anything to do with it.

yadzmk · Oct 8, 2012

Preasure plate indicator(the red dot) on the 120 not in the 220 and film type outside the body pointing to 120 too.

Can you show me a reference the correct mirror and the screen position.

Rick A · Oct 8, 2012

Open the camera back and place a piece of waxed paper over the film plane. Focus the camera through the view finder then check the "ground glass" in the back to see if they match
If the focus is off, then remove the view finder and check the screen to see if it is mounted correctly
If it is on properly then the problem may be a mirror out of alignment(doubtful) or a bad lens.

paul ron · Oct 8, 2012

Rick A said:
Open the camera back and place a piece of waxed paper over the film plane. Focus the camera through the view finder then check the "ground glass" in the back to see if they match
If the focus is off, then remove the view finder and check the screen to see if it is mounted correctly
If it is on properly then the problem may be a mirror out of alignment(doubtful) or a bad lens.

Rick, That is an excelent way to check the focus problem.

NOTE---->If the image on the film plane is out, the screen height can be adjusted to bring it in focus with the taker lens. Sometimes the viewing lens/ viewing screen, is slightly out of adjustment... but only do this if ALL your lenses are out of focus. If this is the only lens doing this, then the viewing lens or taker lens needs to be adjusted.

Sometimes people install bright screens which are focused to the camera. Then when the camera is sold they pop in the old screen without readjusting the focus.

.

PeterB · Oct 8, 2012

Yadzmk, check out my comprehensive suggestions in the last two posts in the thread beginning here (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

yadzmk · Oct 8, 2012

speechless

yadzmk · Oct 8, 2012

PeterB said:
Yadzmk, check out my comprehensive suggestions in the last two posts in the thread beginning here (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

thanks peter...i will read it..i will update you about the result..:joyful::joyful:

Jojje · Oct 8, 2012

I have found this manual helpful:
http://www.cameramanuals.org/mamiya_pdf/mamiya_c220_pro_repair.pdf

grahamp · Oct 9, 2012

The first thing to do is to make sure you able able to focus the edge of the center spot on the screen easily, ideally using the flip up magnifier. Use a loupe or magnifier if necessary. If you can't do that, the focus tests won't work.

There are pictures of the pressure plate and the screen at http://grahampatterson.home.comcast.net/~grahampatterson/grahamp/c220/c220.html

yadzmk · Oct 9, 2012

grahamp said:
The first thing to do is to make sure you able able to focus the edge of the center spot on the screen easily, ideally using the flip up magnifier. Use a loupe or magnifier if necessary. If you can't do that, the focus tests won't work.

There are pictures of the pressure plate and the screen at http://grahampatterson.home.comcast.net/~grahampatterson/grahamp/c220/c220.html

dear grahamp,

ofcourse i already able focusing in the edge of center spot..before i using c220, i already use roleiflex and rolleicord..and im courious using c220 but when im occupied it...comes this issue..and yet im still not starting to test focusing testing with the papper simulation..because i dont have any experience on mamiya system

fenderslash · Oct 10, 2012

I had similar problems with a 135mm lens. I never got to the bottom of the problem, but it was only with that one lens so I suspected that it was a previous amateur repair job gone wong with the elements replaced backwards or something. I'd suggest that you beg, borrow or steal another lens to try out. That way you could at least narrow it down to either a lens problem like I had, or a camera problem.

There are a couple of focus issues that arise due to the removeable/interchangeable focus screens on the C330 series (mine is a C330f), but if my memory is correct the C220 doesn't have interchangeable screens (someone correct me if I'm wrong), so in your case I think a screen problem would be less likely.

yadzmk · Oct 10, 2012

Its goin more complicated..

Maybe I will sell it..to solve it

grahamp · Oct 10, 2012

It is not so much complicated as that there are a lot of variables, and you need to isolate one at a time.
Corrected eyesight (more of a problem than people with good eyesight realize - a loupe does not correct for astigmatism)
Screen - right position, right way up
Mirror - displaced (unusual, but possible)
Lens pair misaligned/not shimmed
Lens board not parallel to film plane

A second lens helps isolate the lens pair as the problem.

benjiboy · Oct 10, 2012

If the worst came to the worst, you could take it to a professional camera repairer.

Mamiya c220 focus issue

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