Parallax Error - Please help!
Parallax Error!-
When composing my shots through the viewfinder of my recently acquired Mamiya c33 (a twin lens camera), I experience what I think is called the Parallax error. Basically I inadvertently crop the final negative because the perspective I see through the top lens (the viewfinder lens) is about five centimeters above the film chamber lens.
This is only a problem for macro photography when the Parallax error is very obvious.
My only solution right now, is to wind my tripod up about five centimeters, so the bottom lens occupies the space where the top lens was. If I want to tilt the anlge of the camera when composing however, this doesn’t work, because the bottom lens isn’t in line with the top one when wound up five centimeters.
I’ve also tried using a length of string pulled taught between the subject and the bottom lens to try and frame it up, but this leaves a margin for error too!
If anyone has any information on solving Parallax error through a more effective means, I’d be happy to hear from you!
Thanks,
Tom
Ian Porter
http://www.mamiya.nl/client/mamiya/uploads/downloads/c330_instructions.pdf
Trinx replied
Thanks Ian that helps a lot. Although this is for the C330 Mamiya, the manual still applies to the C33 in terms of Parallax correction bit. Do you use a twin lens camera?
Ian Porter
No – I’m a convert to digital! Sorry. I’m just a sad IT geek. These also look useful -
http://www.cameramanuals.org/mamiya_pdf/mamiya_c33_pro.pdf
http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/C33/index.html
http://photo.net/equipment/mamiya/tlr
Rowland Jones
Mamiya actually made device for correcting this: it sat on the tripod, you lined up your shot in the viewfinder: then when you were ready to take the picture, you unlocked the device moved the camera so that the actual ‘taking’ lens was in the position where the viewfinder lens had been. I think it was called a Paramender.
I also came across this tip!
I was without a paramender for a while when I owned a C330s. I measured the distance you had to move the taking lens to place it where the viewing lens was. Then I cut a block of wood the right length. To use it, I would extend the column on my tripod until the block fit under the camera. I had to fool around for a while until I got the length right, but it worked fine once I did. Even with the tilt you mention, trial and error should get you the right length.
A bit Heath Robinson but…
Best of luck,
Rowland
Trinx replied
You nearly made me fall of my chair reading your comment, that is just ridiculously funny.
Mamiya C cameras bring out ingenuity in all of us!
I’ve heard of other crazy ways of solving the problem, but the “bloc of wood” concept is by far the funniest, and probably the most effective solution besides buying this Paramender thing.
Thanks for the info Rowland!
Tom
Rowland Jones
I know what you mean! About thirty years ago a company I worked for was interested in a systemof stereo imaging using polarising filters. Keen to meet the technical wizard, I was alittle surprised when he turned up with a Reid: A British ‘Leica’ which was 40 years old then! To get the two stereo images the correct distance apart: he had a small piece of wood attached to the tripod which allowed the camera to be positioned to correspond to the right eye or left eye! Incidentally the images were stunning!!
Rowland