Out of focus F-1 question

[pharmboycu]

Hi everyone!

I'm enjoying my Canon F-1 except for one thing that I'd like to ask you all about. I have an A-1 and it takes photos perfectly-- well, at least as perfect as my still learning abilities allow. When I transplant the 50mm F1.4 lens onto the F-1 body and focus it everything looks great through the viewfinder, however, when I get the prints/slides back the photos are slightly out of focus. It's not a motion blur, it's definitely a focusing issue.

I'm clueless as to what this could be. I know the camera needs a little work as I'm hearing a wretched noise when the shutter goes off (shutter squeak?), but this has me confounded.

Any ideas or things I should check first before sending it off to a pro? Also, any recommendations as to whom I should send it for servicing?

Thanks!

John

 

[vpwphoto]

The F-1 has interchangeable focus screens... right one being used? Is it seated? Mirror alignment?
Check the screen yourself... if nothing seems wrong send it out for repairs.

 

[brucemuir]

Does this happen with the 50 1.4 only?
Does it only happen @ 1.4 or f/2 at close distance?

If all lenses exhibit this behavior I would guess your focus screen needs calibration.

 

[Rick A]

Set the camera on a tripod, open the back of the F-1 and place some waxed paper across the film plane. then focus on something. Set the shutter to B and open the shutter, is the film plane in focus or not, it should match. If not, start checking focus screen to see if it's locked in properly, or prism for same. If not correctible send it for adjustment.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

The F1n has swappable focusing screens so it might be full seated. Also, I would check the pressure plate on the camera back. It's supposed to keep the film flat. These are just my best guesses. Either way, I'd take in it for CLA because of the shutter squeak. I love Canon F1n cameras. They're great cameras. I've had one for over 25 years and it's worked flawlessly. Ran many rolls of film through it.

 

[DWThomas]

I think this could also possibly be a problem with the mirror not positioning correctly when down -- gunk somewhere, perhaps.

 

[John Koehrer]

IDK but I doubt any of the F1 series used the same mirror governor the A series cameras did.

 

[pharmboycu]

Thanks everyone-- that confirms what I thought. I checked it out and everything seems seated properly, so I'm just going to send it in for CLA and see if that does the trick. At least I have the A1 and Pentax K1000 to hold me over in the meantime. (Truth be told, I like them better anyway. Heresy, I know!)

John