Mamiya floating elements help

[pradheep thavamani]

I just recently purchased Mamiya Sekor Z 65mm floating element lens. How do I use lens? Someone please advise me.

 

[mshchem]

Adjust focus normally with bellows, then adjust floating element using distance ring on the lens.

 

[pradheep thavamani]

Adjust focus normally with bellows, then adjust floating element using distance ring on the lens.

Do you want me to refer distance scale on the body after focusing and then adjust it on the lens?

 

[MattKing]

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

 

[mshchem]

Do you want me to refer distance scale on the body after focusing and then adjust it on the lens?

Yes, that or guess. I think it's more important when you have the lens wide open. I have a couple of these lenses, I don't always remember, still get good shots.

 

[rulnacco]

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.