Rollei 6008 focus

[Pieter12]

I would like to fine-tune the focus on my Rollei 6008i. I have two bodies and they both seem to be a little off at close distance. I believe there are some tiny screws on the frame that holds the focusing screen in place that look like they would be for that purpose. Does anyone have any experience doing this? Any advice? None of the local repair shops will work on these cameras any more--although I have heard that Key Camera Service in Colorado might. I'd rather not have to send the camera away for such a small adjustment if I can do it myself.

 

[shutterfinger]

If the focus is off at close distance then its likely off at infinity and any distance in between. Take a look at the moon with the camera set to infinity or look at the sun with a proper sun viewing filter such as a #11 welder's glass. Both should be tack sharp circles on the view screen and the moon will have more detail than the sun but you may see some spots on the sun.
Now, with the back open place a ground glass on the film rails, not guide rollers, ground side toward the lens and verify the gg image matches the viewfinder. If the gg and viewfinder do not agree then the viewfinder needs to be adjusted to match the film plane/gg. Once infinity is correct all closer distances will be correct also.

Looking at the instruction manual the mirror may be out of alignment, bumpers worn or deteriorated allowing the mirror to drop down too far or it may not be returning to the full down position. A careful inspection should reveal this if you have a good eye for mechanical faults.

 

[ic-racer]

My SLX was notorious for allowing the film to bulge in the middle. This would, of course, make the actual focal point farther back than what the focus screen showed at the time the film was exposed. The edges of the frame were unaffected, as the film was held against the rails appropriately. This was such a routine occurrence I actually put 4 thin washers between the film rails and the camera body to correct the situation. I no longer have that old SLX, now I'm using a 6008i and have not had any of those difficulties.
So, out of curiosity, I wonder if your film images are focused behind or in-front of the focal point indicated by the focus screen?

 

[Pieter12]

My SLX was notorious for allowing the film to bulge in the middle. This would, of course, make the actual focal point farther back than what the focus screen showed at the time the film was exposed. The edges of the frame were unaffected, as the film was held against the rails appropriately. This was such a routine occurrence I actually put 4 thin washers between the film rails and the camera body to correct the situation. I no longer have that old SLX, now I'm using a 6008i and have not had any of those difficulties.
So, out of curiosity, I wonder if your film images are focused behind or in-front of the focal point indicated by the focus screen?

Film image is focused a few inches behind the screen focus when shooting at the closest. Here's a test shot per Barry Thornton's method in "Edge of Darkness." Screen focus was on the center (longest) line.

 

[shutterfinger]

I cannot find a service/repair manual online for your camera nor can I find good pictures of the mirror box or view screen mounting. If I had the camera in my hands I could determine the cause of the error and a possible fix.
My prime suspects are 1.) the mirror bumpers are deteriorated or compressed allowing the mirror to drop down further than it should by .1 millimeters give or take .05 millimeters or 2.) shims between the view screen and its mount have deteriorated allowing it to drop down a little. You make no mention of a shift in focus from side to side or top to bottom and your focus shift example shows even side to side/top to bottom focus so the back/lens/camera box are in proper alignment.
Is there any play in the view screen? (side to side/up and down)