Proper lens alignment?

[darinwc]

How do you ensure proper lens alignment on a camera? Specifically a folding Bessa camera.
It's one thing to take a test roll of a brick wall and see that it is out of alignment.
But how do you make adjustments without having to retest with another roll of film?

 

[Europan]

Tripod, fine ground glass, loupe.

 

[AgX]

And a good target.

 

[tedr1]

One way to make the "ground glass" is to obtain a piece of glass (or clear plastic) the correct size, then instead of using abrasive to produce the diffuse surface apply "magic tape" self adhesive material in strips across the glass, taking care not to overlap anywhere, and also to cover the edges where the glass makes contact with the camera film gate so that the diffuse surface is at the same location as the film emulsion. It helps to use a brightly illuminated "brick wall" and arranging an improvised shade around the back of the camera.

 

[E. von Hoegh]

And make certain the film plane is dead parallel to your target.

 

[paul ron]

drafting paper, Velum, works very nicely too.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I have a 120 folder and I don't worry too much about it. The camera's lens structure is folded inside when it's not it use. But if you're itching to test your lens. Take a look here.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/tips-and-solutions/how-test-your-lens