A Simple and Effective Mirror System from Zig-Align to Check Alignment of Film/CCD, Lens, and Copy Planes for View Cameras
You can measure...and level...and test your copy setup over and over again, but still not get crisp, corner-to-corner sharpness in your final image. This is especially true with the Better Light high resolution scanning backs. When viewing the capture at 100% resolution on the monitor, you witness the bitter truth of your focus attempts.

Any view camera body will have less than perfect alignment of the front and rear standards due to mechanical tolerances or age and wear from heavy use. The first step is to use a zig-align mirror system to check the camera for parallelism and make some minor adjustments with the tilt and swing movements. Next, use zig-align to help you position the camera parallel to your wall or copy surface accurately to assure sharp focus on all corners.

The ZV1 and ZV1.1 mirror sets will accomplish both steps, but will require some disassembly of the camera with each change of camera position. Zig-align, by a request from Better Light, developed the ZP2 Rapid Alignment plate which is identical in thickness, weight and balance to the scanning back. When it is necessary to change the camera distance, the ZP2 plate replaces the scanning insert in the spring back of the camera. Since the Ring Module is now on the outside of the camera, disassembly of the camera is eliminated and the re-alignment to the copy plane is fast and accurate.

Click here to return to summary of primary solutions for view camera and flat art copy applications.

Ring Module Alignment Sets
ZV1 BASIC MIRROR SET
For camera to copy distance
of less than 10 feet.

3-3/8" Ring Module (for lens board)
4-3/4" x 6-7/8" x 1/4" Mirror & Cord

US $ 144.00

ZV1.1 STANDARD MIRROR SET
For camera to copy distance
up to 20 feet.

4" Ring Module (for lens board)
4-3/4" x 6-7/8" x 1/4" Mirror & Cord
9-1/4" x 9-1/4" x 1/4" Mirror & Cord

US $ 244.00

ZP2 RAPID ALIGNMENT PLATE
Precision balanced plate with 4" Ring Module & 4" sq. Mirror. Placed in film back of camera to quickly align camera body to copy plane.

(Part of ZP4 Plate Set or use with your ZV1 or ZV1.1 Mirror Set).

US $ 299.00

ZP4 RAPID ALIGNMENT SET
A complete system, including ZP2 Plate for faster alignment to copy surface when camera position is changed.

ZP2 Camera Plate
(with 4" Ring Module & 4" sq. Mirror)
3-3/8" Ring Module (for lens board)
9-1/4" x 9-1/4" x 1/4" Mirror & Cord

US $ 484.00

MOUNTING THE RING MODULE
For each of the alignment options above, an extra lensboard for your view camera is required.

The Ring Module supplied with the set has strong double-faced tape on the back for mounting.

Replacement Parts
Ring Modules
To be mounted on a spare view camera lens board for alignment of front and rear standards. Has double-stick mounting tape on back of mirror.

3-3/8" Ring Module.........US $ 79.00

4" Ring Module.........US $ 79.00

Ring Module Adapters
To mount either Ring Module to the front of the lens of SLR and medium format cameras used on copy stands.

Contact zig-align for size options and adapters for your specific lens.

4-3/4"x 6-7/8" Mirror
Part of ZV1 and ZV1.1 sets; for use in a 4x5 spring back or at the copy plane for camera-to-copy distance of less than 10 feet.

4-3/4" x 6-7/8" x 1/4" Mirror & Cord

US $ 79.00

9-1/4" x 9-1/4" Mirror
Part of ZV1.1 and ZP4 sets; for use at the copy plane for camera-to-copy distance up to 20 ft.

9-1/4" x 9-1/4" x 1/4" Mirror & Cord

US $ 99.00