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Henry · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject: What is it?

On the 'bay right now is a listing (260946053133) for a red bellows Century, lacking the Kalart but with a gismo mounted on top that I assume is an auxiliary rangefinder. Nothing about it in the description. Does anybody recognize this item and can supply info? Does it work, how well, who made it, etc.

I have absolutely no interest in this item, but for anybody who does, it looks to be in excellent+ condition and the bid price so far is certainly attractive.

45PSS · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 7:08 pm Post subject:

Shoe mount auxiliary rangefinder.
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1banjo · Joined: 16 Nov 2008 Posts: 492 Location: kansas

Henry
its was a good rangerfinder they can be easly be cleaned where as some
brands almost can't be cleaned . now fond this one

Accura Rangefinder working condition ebad Item number: 300656201957

Sold For: US $14.50 This one is made in Japan.

But the thing about the ebad Red bellows Century Graphic is its out of the first bach of Red bellows its the 410th one made as best I can tail

Henry · Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:27 pm Post subject:

Thank you, gents. Seems like one of these would be useful if your camera has no Kalart.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

tsgrimm · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Location: SE Michigan

Henry,

I have one of those accessory rangefinders, it is a Telex brand. It is scaled in feet from 2' to infinity with the useful part of the scale being 2' to 35'.

I think the Telex and Watameter brands were made by the same German company because they appear to have the same body.

They were made to be used on German 35mm and 120 cameras lacking a rangefinder, and were made in various flavors over the years. Kodaks have a smaller shoe and require a Kodak rangefinder.

Anyone buying one should make sure that you get the adjustment instructions . Need instructions? Send me a PM.

A quick search on fleabay for "xxxxx rangefinder" will turn up few, some at very high prices.

Henry · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:23 pm Post subject:

tsgrimm · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Location: SE Michigan

"Understood. As to that, I wonder if these are adjustable for different focal lengths, like the Kalart---only less of a PITA, one would hope."

Henry,

They are useable for all focal lengths from the focal plane to the subject. The hangup is that the scale to 35' is the only usable part of the scale. The part of the scale from 35' to infinity is just "35' and then infinity". A huge gap there.

The instructions for adjustment are for known distances to 35' and infinity.

Henry · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2012 3:35 pm Post subject:

Thanks, ts. Even so, that range is good enough for most hand-held work, I would think. I note that the focusing scale on my Century gets a lot coarser from 25' on out, and especially from 50' out. At that point, depth of field takes over anyway, if you're stopped down enough.