Mamiya floating elements help

mshchem

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
14,687
Location
Iowa City, Iowa USA
Format
Medium Format
Adjust focus normally with bellows, then adjust floating element using distance ring on the lens.
 

MattKing

Moderator
Moderator
Joined
Apr 24, 2005
Messages
53,065
Location
Delta, BC Canada
Format
Medium Format
Do you want me to refer distance scale on the body after focusing and then adjust it on the lens?

Correct.
Although that on lens adjustment normally only has a large effect when one is working at high magnifications and close distances.
Its main role is to ensure flatness of field, which makes it possible to get good photographs of things like postage stamps.
IIRC, the markings on the lens indicate one particular setting that is a good one to use for most general photography, at normal working distances, without having to make adjustments for each shot.
Mike Butkus' camera manual site has a manual discussing the lenses available - Mamiya RZ67 Interchangeable Lenses - and that includes a section on using the floating element lenses. If you make use of it, consider sending the recommended donation: https://www.cameramanuals.org/mamiya_pdf/mamiya_rz67_interchangeable_lenses.pdf
 

rulnacco

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
249
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Format
Medium Format
You *could* leave it on the infinity setting all the time; you wouldn't notice loads of difference. Particularly if, as pointed out above, you're not shooting very close/at high magnifications *or* if nothing in your corners is meant to be in focus anyway.

But as described, it's really sort of a four step process:

1. Before focusing, it's probably a good idea to have the floating element ring set at infinity--although not absolutely necessary.
2. Use the focusing knob (and fine focusing knob, if you have a Pro II and if necessary) to focus.
3. Check the focused distance from the scale on the side and input that on the floating element ring.
4. Using the viewfinder, see if you need to adjust the fine focus any; you likely won't have to.

Really, only steps 2 and 3 are absolutely necessary, particularly if you aren't shooting up close, although if you want to make sure that your focus is as accurate as possible across the frame, do all four.
 
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…