Graflex.org

[DenisP]

I thought I'd share a few thoughts and perhaps ask a question or two...
I've got my first Speed Graphic (Pacemaker 2x3, SN: 449420) with Ektar 101 (SN: EO 5948) and a "Graphic 23" roll back a few days ago, and yesterday I shot a first B&W roll. I used the rangefinder for focusing with the roll back on. The RF seems to be calibrated OK, only it's very difficult to see the secondary image. The film came out more or less OK, maybe with couple of shots slightly underexposed. I used the lens shutter, so maybe I miscalculated a bit - it has different shutter speeds than my Nikon F80 which I used for metering

Now for the questions:
The roll back insert seems to be somewhat loose in its housing - I've noticed that the light-blocking grooves (or whatever they're called) on the insert-housing interlocking part do not have any light baffle material inside. Is it supposed to be so, or do I have to put new light baffle material in there?

Also, my SG has side-mounted Kalart RF, but the RF eyepiece does not have that tubular "thingy" that extends all the way back, flush with camera back. I find it rather clumsy trying to squint through the RF eyepiece, and bumped my head several times on the camera housing trying to use my left (better) eye for focusing. Anyway, I can't use the right eye anyway - my nose gets in the way! ))
Came darn near close to poking my eye out once! The eyepiece doesn't have any grooves on it, and I don't know if this piece is supposed to go there - I didn't get it with the camera.
Since I'll probably be mostly using the RF for focusing, I'd like to know if the eyepiece extension can be found somewhere, or whether I could make something myself - a makeshift tube of some kind perhaps? Adapting a slide viewer also comes to mind - putting the lens into some kind of makeshift tube and attaching it to the eyepiece somehow...

In short, I like my little Speed! Taking photos with it may be fussier than when using my old Flexaret TLR, but it's a lot of FUN! Seems like I'm hooked for good!!!

Regards,
Denis

[alecj]

[45PSS]

I simply learned to look into my rangefinders from a distance, set the focus on the small segment of the scene and go back to the sports of optical viewfinders to compose. So... if the image is too faint then the beam splitting mirror is too far gone and needs to be replaced. Copy the rangefinder manuals found elsewhere on this site and repair it.
The supply source....
http://www.scientificsonline.com/EC/Products/Display.cfm?categoryid=192841
item #CR3043359 (50% reflect 50% transmit)

Cut with regular glas cutter and streight edge or square.

Charles



_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[clnfrd]

Thanks for this, Charles. I've ordered me a piece of 50/50....tired of faint images in my Kalart with the occasional out-of-focus shot because of it. Fred.

[35mmto4x5]

I believe I have found a Speed Graphic 4x5 (based upon the film holders' size) cleaning out an attic. It has a side-mounted rangefinder and there is no significant corrosion. Embarrassing, but it is not obvius to me how to open it.

[Baker]