Mamiya 7: Rangefinder Calibration Views and When to Calibrate
Originally posted on Instagram. Notes from the repair bench, kept here as a searchable archive. View the original on Instagram
I had a number of questions, both posted here and in direct contact with me regarding my last post of rangefinder calibration on the Mamiya 7. So, I have added a few photos to help illustrate.
In the first photo, if you look carefully at the target in the center of the frame, you will see three vertical lines. This is what is seen when the focus is set somewhere between infinity and one meter and is not useful information.
The second photo shows the view through the rangefinder when the focus is set on one meter and the third photo is when the rangefinder is set on infinity. These images are post servicing and show correct calibration.
I get asked many times a week about when the rangefinder should be calibrated. My answer is, when needed. A quick field check of a light pole at 1/2 mile distance or so will quickly tell if the rangefinder is correct (at infinity). If this is OK, then nothing needs to be done. This answer (to repair when needed) applies to the camera also. If all is working OK then there is really nothing for me to do. When there is a specific issue, glad to evaluate and provide a solution. In other words, if not broken, let’s not fix it. Needless shipping of these cameras is not good as the shipping carriers can be very rough on packages.
