Graflex.org

[chalky]

hi all,
probably a silly question, but does a 135mm lens, regardless of make, use the same rangefinder cam? or are the cams specific to a specific lens?
Thank you,
Matt
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[Dan Fromm]

Cams are lens (make, model, serial number) specific. This because focal length varies between lenses of the same make and model.

[chalky]

Thank you, very useful. I'll look into how you change the cams then. Cheers, Matt
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[chalky]

Hi all,
I have figured out how to change the cams, however appear to have missed an important point!

I have a crown graphic, with 135mm lens, with top rangefinder and the rangefinder focus matches image on glass perfectly.

Today I have received my new speed graphic, also with 135 lens, no top rangefinder but with kalart side rangefinder. Also, the kalart rangefinder does not match the ground glass so I can only assume that at some point it has been configured for a different lens.

Am I right in thinking that the cam from the crown graphic is therefore not usable in the speed graphic, and to make the kalart rangefinder on the speed graphic match the image on the ground glass I will need to do a more complex adjustment?

Are there any other options? or ideas?

I was planning to swop lenses and sell the crown graphic with the lens from the speed but I also assume there is no cam in the speed graphic to move to the crown?

Thanks in advance for any help, or thoughts,
Matt

EDIT: with a bit more reading, moving the focus stops, ignoring a hand made scale which must be for another lens, and testing rangefinder against GG, the rangefinder does match the lens. Still be interested to hear if the kalart uses cams in the same way though? Dont think it does?

I focus on the glass 90% anyway, just nice to have the rangefinder if you need it.
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[Jim C.]

The top range finder on your Crown is different than the ubiquitous Kalart side rangefinders, the Kalarts don't use cams but they can be adjusted to a particular lens. Personally I haven't had much luck adjusting a Kalart to one of my lenses, one of these days I'll revisit it.
Here's some links should you wish to have a go at it -

http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/kalart-manual.html

http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/technical%20page/start.html

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?62779-Kalart-Rangefinder-fine-tunning-adjustments

[chalky]

I think the thing that was catching me out, aside from the infinity stops, was that I had to rack the focus forward to get the kalart lined up at infinity, then set the focus on the ground glass, shd from then on it was all good. Think I expected the rangefinder to be on infinity with the focus wheels right back. The non matching scale just added tp the confusion! Thank you for info. Cheers, Matt
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[Jim C.]

If the camera you bought were brand new, the infinty stops would be factory set to whatever lens it came with, you would pull out the front standard first till it was against the infinity stops, then you can rack the front standard to focus.

It's hard to say if the cameras you bought still have the original lens, most likely not, but it's worth checking, the previous owners may have had the range finder adjusted to the lens, or not.

[45PSS]

Graflex Corp. used a double standard with regard to infinity setting. The Anniversary and earlier were set with the yoke fully retracted while the Pacemakers were set up with the yoke extended .040 inch ± .010 inch from fully retracted. With the rails fully retracted your at infinity, with the rails slightly forward you can focus past infinity. Either is correct.
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kalart_1.html is the best copy of the Kalart side rangefinder manual but you have to save or print each page, no download function. Take Jo Lemmon's tips with a grain of salt.
Yoke=Rails

I have found that if a Kalart is difficult to adjust it most likely needs a thorough cleaning. Fully disassemble, clean each part, reassemble with a trace of oil on pivots and a trace of grease on sliding surfaces.
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[chalky]

Thanks for all your replies and info. After my initial confusion, probably based on how I use the top mounted rangefinder crown graphic, by simply focussing the kalart rangefinder to infinity, then moving the front standard out (past infinity stops that must have been set for another lens) and locking it at infinity focus, from there on in the rangefinder matched the ground glass.

Next project is to use the f4.5 7.5" projection lens I have just picked up - without trying to synch the rangefinder!

I use the glass most of the time anyway.
Cheers
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