New to me Autocord TLR

jgoody · Nov 2, 2016

I'm new to TLRs -- I just got an Autocord and 1 and 2 Rolleinar CU attachments. My past experience has been with 35mm OM SLRs and a Canon RF. Just got my first roll back -- I am in love with the larger negative! I am having some focus issues - some are perfect -- some not. I am using the magnifier - but its still a little trickier than 35mm -- especially as I am used to the split image. My question is whether a split image screen would help. I know that opinions differ but am wondering if anyone else has made the transition from 35mm SLR and whether a split image helped them in MF. Also does anyone make one other than Maxwell? I know the whole screen issue is contentious but would like feedback on this aspect.

shutterfinger · Nov 2, 2016

Pay closer attention to the fine detail in the scene with the magnifier.
You may be mistaking camera shake for soft focus. Bigger cameras take more caution/carefulness/skill to hand hold than 35mm cameras.

jgoody · Nov 2, 2016

I don't think it's camera shake as there are parts of some frames where I hit focus - but not where I wanted! I did get a few perfect shots through.

ME Super · Nov 2, 2016

Congratulations. I've been primarily a 35mm shooter myself. I have a 6x6 Imperial Debonaire camera, but had to respool 120 onto 620 spools in order to use the camera - rather a pain! Just got my first roll of film back from the lab that I ran through my recently acquired Super Ricohflex. I am in love with this bigger negative, and the square prints!

shutterfinger · Nov 2, 2016

jgoody said:
there are parts of some frames where I hit focus - but not where I wanted! I did get a few perfect shots through.

Next question is it possible that DoF carried the perfect shots?
Put the camera on a tripod, level on all axis, then focus on a target 6 to 10 feet away (measure from the film plane). Does the focused distance scale match the actual distance to the target?
Yes-camera is likely good.
No- make a temporary ground glass by cutting a piece of regular glass (clear acrylic works also) to fit onto the film guides (not the paper guides) at the image opening. Place strips of Scotch Magic Transparent tape next to each other without overlapping.
Open the shutter on T or B with a locking cable release and the aperture wide open, place the temporary gg on the film plane tape side toward the lens, check taking lens focus with a loupe against the view lens on the focus screen with the loupe or magnifier.
If the view and taking lens disagree adjust the view screen or view lens to match the taking lens. You will need to do this test if you change the view screen.

I always focus in the center of the view screen then recompose the shot.

Sirius Glass · Nov 2, 2016

Enjoy

Dan Daniel · Nov 2, 2016

One issue with TLRs is that you often focus and then recompose. During this, the camera can move more than you realize. A camera at your eye requires very little movement to move an object off center, for example, while with a TLR you can end up moving the camera inches without realizing it. This is the reason Bill Maxwell will actually discourage people getting his rangefinder screen if they plan to do a lot of shooting close and at wide apertures- too easy to move out of focus when reframing. Just something to pay attention to.

The stock Autocord screen is pretty good. Mamiya RB screens cut down work well. The Oleson microprism screen is very nice. Maxwell is the best I have used (for me) but a big hit on the wallet.

jgoody · Nov 2, 2016

I don't think it was DOF as I got a nice shot w Rolleinar CU lens of my dog -- hair near eyes very sharp --nose soft -- just as I hoped. Here's it is -- reduced to 640X640 for upload. On the full res it very sharp by the eyes, as can be seen on the cropped image . I think I may be focusing with the center spot and then recomposing and inadvertently changing the camera position as Dan suggests.

BAC1967 · Nov 2, 2016

With the CU attachment you're working with a very narrow depth of field. When I use mine it's either with a tripod or set on the ground. I also use the smallest aperture possible if I want to get most of the subject in focus. Even at f/22 that can only be a few inches DOF. This will likely require a long exposure. I also use the magnifier almost every time I focus with my Rolleiflex.

jgoody · Nov 3, 2016

DOF certainly is shallow -- but I wanted the shallow focus look. Thanks everyone for the help. I looked at my second roll today -- much better focus. So I guess practice is needed!

ransel · Nov 3, 2016

I have had several Autocords - wonderful camera. How is your vision? I pretty much had to stop using mine because the flip-up diopter was not the correct magnification for my tired old eyes, and wearing reading glasses didn't help much...or rather made it more difficult. Now, my Yashica D is easier for me to focus, and my Mamiya TLR with a chimney finder works great. If you find that you continue to miss focus you could get a deep magnifying loupe, like one uses to focus on the ground glass of a large format camera, and slip it down into the viewing hood on the Autocord, for critical focusing, then pull it out when composing and shooting.

jgoody · Nov 3, 2016

My vision is -- old guy with glasses vision -- but the last roll was sharp ! I do find the split image on my SLRs easier though....

New to me Autocord TLR

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