Minolta Autocord Focus Scale Issue

[acrobatic_citron]

Hello

I had my Autocord serviced recently and they did a great job. I bought a Rick Oleson screen to replace the original to make focussing easier and a small upgrade. The good news is using the old ground glass I was able to confirm the viewing and taking lens focus to the same plane. However the focus scale is quite a bit out. The lamp was set at 1m and the scale showed 1.1m and was wide open at 3.5 (used my 7x large format loupe)

I'm thinking either

a. To correct this the scale just needs to be reset to the new lens distance as the lens was adjusted using the screw under the leather
b. or Can the scale actually be corrected as there's only so far it can go to the end at infinity

Infinity focus looks good outside but ive not checked the taking lens. Im not too bothered about infinity as this will be a snap shot camera I carry around day to day

Thanks

 

[OAPOli]

A few questions.

1) Did you install the screen or was it done by the service person? My Autocord uses a two part screen (ground glass + Fresnel). So a direct swap with the Oleson screen will shift the viewing focus since the new screen is a single piece;

2) Normally, the lenses are adjusted to the infinity position using a collimator. So the lenses are adjusted to the scale, not the other way around. Adjusting the lenses requires removing the front plate. The scale is usually for indication only at the closer distances. However, a 10cm error is a large deviation;

3) How are you measuring the distance? It should be from film plane to subject.

 

[Dan Daniel]

The indicator in a flat piece of metal with a central pointer and a red (infrared) pointer to the side, yes? This piece is trapped between the focus lever and the knob by a central rivet. Can you rotate the pointer plate? Does the pointer point to infinity at the infinity stop at the moment? What happens at 2 meters? 3-4 meters?

And do you need this to be accurate? Focus scales are often a bit sloppy to begin with. If you have the taking and viewing lenses matching, THAT is the important thing. All the rest are fun and games.

 

[acrobatic_citron]

Brain fart! I was measuring to the lens and not the film plane, the and the depth of the camera is 10cm! ha. Its about right now and I'll be shooting mainly stopped down so probably won't matter anyway, thanks everyone!