Graflex.org

[Bobonli]

I just acquired a mint Crown Special with top-mount RF. My intention is to use this hand-held so having a calibrated RF is important. The RF is way off, compared to using the ground glass to focus. See pics. For reference, the car is just over 25 feet away.

When I bought it, I was told the RF was calibrated but there was a last minute lens/shutter change so I have my suspicions. I'm not sure if this is the RF or if the infinity stops (which don't look precisely parallel ) are in the wrong location.

Schneider Xenar 135 mm in Synchro Compur P

[img]IMG_8452 by Robert Kerner, on Flickr[/img]

[img]IMG_8457 by Robert Kerner, on Flickr

IMG_8453 by Robert Kerner, on Flickr

Unknown by Robert Kerner, on Flickr[/img]

[Dan Fromm]

See the Super ... Service Instructions here: https://archive.org/details/stroboflash-service-manual/3A%20Graflex%20Servicing/

[Henry]

This will get you directly to it: https://archive.org/details/stroboflash-service-manual/Kalart%20Rangefinder%20adjustment/mode/2up --but that won't work...

Also, on this very site, you have: https://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/kalart-adjustment.html --but that won't work...

...unless you have the proper cam inserted, because you have a top-mount rangefinder.

Do a search on this site for "cams for top-mount Kalart". Here's a hit from that search: https://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=7154&highlight=cam+topmount+kalart

Now, OTOH, if youre talking about a (top-mount) viewfinder, as opposed to top-mount rangefinder, that's different!

Disclaimer: I've never had experience with a top-mount RF, whereas Dan Fromm is the guy, so my post may be off-base, and Dan will surely chime in further.

[Dan Fromm]

Henry, thanks for the kind words. I am not the guy. Charles Monday and Bert Saunders (spelling?) were much better repairmen than I've been or will be. So is Rich@SouthBristolViews.com

Remember that the Kalart is side-mounted. It doesn't use cams, can be adjusted for only one focal length. Practical for The One Lens, not practical when changing lenses in the field.

The top RF is Graflex' own. It accepts cams for lenses of different focal lengths.

The big problem with both RFs when changing lenses is that lenses with the same marked focal length can have different actual focal lengths. This because real lenses often don't meet their specifications (elements's: indexes of refraction; dispersion; curvatures; thicknesses; inter-element spacing). This is the reason that Graflex offered different vernier focused distance indicators, as shown in the OP's first photo, for lenses of the same nominal focal length.

OP, visit southbristolviews.com, the site has Graflex manuals etc. including a Super Graphic Cam Designer. The top RF Crown and Speed use the same RF as the Super.

[Bobonli]

DAn, I think, has hit the nail on the head. I have a 135mm cam but it is likely not the correct cam for that lens according to Jerry Gordon.

While the process of trying to get the cam back into the cam slot, I managed too mis-align the focusing bed rails AND disrupt the rubber tube holding about 400 tiny ball bearings......the one thing everyone told me "don't mess with that tube!"

Camera is visiting Jerry for some TLC