Which cameras focus properly?

removed account4 · Jun 2, 2011

my view camera lenses are messed up too ...
the pictures on those cameras are all upside down

Allen Friday · Jun 2, 2011

The top group is for people who focus using their right hand. The bottom group is for people who use their left.

DUH!!!!!!

tomalophicon · Jun 2, 2011

Real photographers don't need to focus anyway.

Bill Burk · Jun 2, 2011

BetterSense,

You have reopened a wound I have not ached from for about 20 years.

I used to be able to operate my Pentax ES-II one-handed because I knew the focus direction.

When I modernized, I went with OM at my best friend's recommendation.

The pain of re-learning how to focus was as persistent as the pain I felt re-learning to type on a Qwerty keyboard after having learned on a Linotype.

Contax IIa counter-clockwise to infinity (lens), clockwise to infinity (knurled wheel).

Dennis S · Jun 2, 2011

Get auto-focus and not twist anything.

KenS · Jun 3, 2011

BetterSense said:
Can someone with experience with the following cameras chime in on focus direction?

Hasselblad
Mamiya 6/7
Bronica RF and SQ

Well... during the years I have adjusted the focus on my RB 67 (pro SD) my hand did NOT touch the lens.... since the focus is adjusted by turning the knob on the RH side of the body...and that knob is turned 'clockwise' (looking from the RH side of the body) to focus 'closer' (ie.it extends the built-in bellows). The nly time I 'touch' the lens (per se) is to select the f-stop.

Ken

Bob-D659 · Jun 3, 2011

Roger Cole said:
Why the preference for metal over textured rubber? I've never really much cared either way, except that the rubber may in time come unglued.

Just feels right. After all, I got my first Nikon F way back in 1967.

Steve Smith · Jun 3, 2011

2F/2F said:
On whatever camera, just move the thingy around until the pic is sharp where you want it to be sharp!

That's what I try to do. I have various systems and haven't ever noticed the direction difference (although I know it exists). I just get used to it very quickly.

Steve.

Diapositivo · Jun 3, 2011

Minolta SR lenses focus properly;
Schneider lenses focus properly;
Cosina - Voigtlaender lenses focus properly;

Tamron lenses focus improperly.

benjiboy · Jun 3, 2011

I converted from Nikon to Canon more than twenty years ago for my personal gear and never really thought about it, maybe because in those days I was selling cameras for a living and was handling most types of cameras all the time it's never been a problem for me.

holmburgers · Jun 3, 2011

Bill Burk said:
The pain of re-learning how to focus was as persistent as the pain I felt re-learning to type on a Qwerty keyboard after having learned on a Linotype.

What's your WAM with a linotype machine? hahhah

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/ClavierLinotype_20041006-163300.jpg Something like this?

lxdude · Jun 3, 2011

BetterSense said:
Deviant cameras:
Pentax--counter-clockwise to infinity
Nikon--counter-clockwise to infinity

Others?

I agree that clockwise is the right and proper direction.

But that's while using it, not looking at it! While looking through the finder, the Nikon and Pentax focusing direction is clockwise to infinity.

My first SLR was a Fujica ST801. The focus and aperture rings move the same direction as the Pentax Takumars and most others of the multi-multi-million 42mm thread-mount lenses out there.
Then I got Nikons and had no problem. Then I got K-mount Pentaxes and had no problem. Then I got Bronicas and had no problem.
I didn't choose any of those based on which direction the focusing and aperture rings move. It was just destined to be, and therefore proper and non-deviant.

Clockwise to infinity!
(when holding the camera the right way round).

2F/2F · Jun 3, 2011

I don't get messed up by the differences in focusing direction between brands. But I do get messed up when I have to use my right hand to focus, like on my Mamiya Super 23 and Universal with the left hand trigger grip. I am used to focusing with the same hand I use to support most of the camera's weight. Focusing with my right hand will always feel awkward to me, no matter how long I have shot the Press series camera, and no matter how long I will shoot them into the future.

It's the same deal on my M645's, but at least I have the option to use the right hand trigger if I use the motor drive.

Dave in Kansas · Jun 3, 2011

I have to agree with 2F/2F about focusing with my right hand. It's just not natural for me.

Dave

Paul VanAudenhove · Jun 3, 2011

I find that after shooting Pentaxs and Nikons, that way feels right. To me, the focusing direction on Canons feels 'wrong.' So, when I'm out shooting I try to keep the lens set at infinity so it will only turn one way to focus.

Which cameras focus properly?

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