single-8 problem

[Mikko]

I'm making a short film called "45 and single" with single 8. My camera is Fujica P-2. The problem is the focusing. There's no focusing in the camera. There's only two buttons in the whole camera: start/stop and a bat check button. How the hell do I know when the image is sharp?
Does anyone have any ideas what is the closest sharp point? (from the lens)

Thanks!

M

[tom hardwick]

I don't know the Fuji you mention Mikko but without a doubt the camera's lens has been set for the hyperfocal distance, and no manual focusing is available.

What it means is this - at the longest focal length (is it a zoom or a fixed focal length lens? - whatever) and the maximum aperture the acceptable focus will range from infinity down to 1,2 metres or somesuch.

At smaller apertures (that the camera will choose as the light gets brighter) the focus will still cover infinity but the near focus will get nearer, such that at f11 (say) the DoF will extend from 8" to infinity.

The instruction book will explain this in more detail, but if you don't have this then you can reckon your camera will give its sharpest performance when you're shooting subjects about 3 metres away.

tom.