Graflex.org

Joshua Szulecki · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Nashville, TN

I need some help picking out a lens board for the following combination:

Graflex Pacemaker Speed Graphic 4x5 w/side Kalart rangefinder
Graflex Optar 90/6.7
Graphex (non-syncromatic) shutter

Based in my current setup with a 135mm lens, I know that I have the smaller metal mount boards, rather than the larger 4x4 type C.

I suspect it is one of these two:
- #0 http://mpex.com/graphic-lens-board-4x5-0.html
- #1 http://mpex.com/graphic-lens-board-4x5-1-red.html

I'm still left with two questions... First, what is this board type called? I'd like to know for future reference. Second, which board do I need?

45PSS · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 8:30 pm Post subject:

Yes, both boards referenced are for 4X5 Pacemaker or Super Graphics.

They appear to be for Copal 0 and Copal 1 sizes.
http://www.skgrimes.com/products/mounting-flanges/metric-stock-flanges
Copal 0 - 32.5mm
Copal 1 - 39mm

Graphic Optar is Wollensak Raptar rebadged.
Graphex shutter is Wollensak Rapax rebadged.
Graphex/Rapax came in #1, #2, #3 shutter sizes but are not the same as Copal sizes.
The 90mm Optar is in a #1 Rapax which requires a 1.1775 inch / 30mm mount hole.
http://www.keh.com/camera/Large-Format-Lens-Boards/1/sku-LF500090156340?r=FE
A Graphic C board is for the Anniversary Speed Graphic.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Joshua Szulecki · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Nashville, TN

Awesome! Thanks! You are helpful as always!

I'm pretty happy this is all sorted out, as I've been getting an itch to use my Pacemaker Speed more and more, but the 135mm just isn't wide enough for my typical subjects. In a few more days (assuming my new shutter doesn't need a CLAC immediately) I can really put it to good use.

Henry · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 12:30 am Post subject:

That Keh link draws a blank. In fact, a search of their site doesn't show much graflex stuff at the moment. What am I missing?

Joshua Szulecki · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Nashville, TN

I um, cleaned them out.

Henry · Posted: Tue Oct 16, 2012 6:36 pm Post subject:

Whew! Glad I don't need one.

Joshua Szulecki · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Nashville, TN

I can confirm that the lens and shutter do fit in that lens board properly. The lens is mounted on the camera right now. It is a very tiny lens and shutter, much smaller than I expected. And shockingly, it doesn't look to need an immediate CLAC.

One quick question...this lens takes a push-on filter like my 135. What size is this? It is smaller than Series VI. Series V?

Henry · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:45 am Post subject:

Series VI should work fine. I'm not sure what the slip-ring size is for the 90 Optar. For the 65 it's 33 mm; the 101 takes 31.5 mm. Somebody on the board should know.

45PSS · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:58 am Post subject:

Take a good ruler and measure the outside diameter of the lens front barrel. 1 inch = 25.4 mm. Then look up in this post to see which series size it is.
http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=264
Find a series ? adapter the size of your measurement.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Henry · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:48 pm Post subject:

The Optar 90 mm lens takes a 1-1/4 inch series VI slip ring; see http://photo.net/large-format-photography-forum/008FuQ , scroll down the page almost to the bottom for the relevant posting. So you will look for a 31.5 mm series VI slip ring, and you're in luck because this is one of the more common sizes, since the "standard" (for 2x3 format) 101mm and 103 mm Optar and Century lenses take the same size. Your challenge will be to find one; look on the auction site, and if there are still camera shows or shops, preferably an old-line one, in your area you could look in those places, too.

Joshua Szulecki · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Nashville, TN

Done and done. Thanks again guys!