Graflex.org

[jack andersson]

i have an 80mm lens on my 2 X 3 Century Graphic - I can't adjust the rangefinder per
instructions on this site - do I need a different cam ? thnaks in advance

[alecj]

Uh, Jack. There is NO cam in the rangefinder mechanism on the Century. At least none which is user interchangable.

What adjustment are you having difficulty with? For different formats, normally you adjust the wheel [which in fact IS a cam, but it isn't user interchangable] which the rangefinder arm rides against when the bed is racked out. You can access it through the right-side [rangefinder side] of the focusing bed [rack the bed out until you can see the cam with a groove in it [for a screwdriver]. Is that what you've been moving?

Normally, you adjust it until the image meets that seen by looking through the back on the focusing screen. Also, it should match the focusing scale [be careful there - a lot of cameras have had different lenses attached w/o changing the scalesl].

Is that any help?

[Les]

One of the quirks of the 80mm lens is that it's so short that if the infinity stop were set up normally, it would fall on the hinge.

So

ONE stop is placed on the rail opposite the rangefinder, BEHIND the rear standard.

So when using the the camera you would open the camera pull the standard out, flip up the stop and push the standard back until it stops.

You can't use two stops because the eccentric for the rangefinder is in the way.

[jack andersson]

Thanks Les & alecj - this is the problem I'm having. My stops are set at infinity i.e i pull out the bed till it hits the stops and I'm @ infinity. I make my adjustments @ 25'
and then again at infinity (turning the eccentric screw if neccessary). i make the 25' adjustment and then the 15' adjustment, then infinity again, then 25' and 15' till they're right on - go back to infinity and I can't align it - it's out of range or something
(les - my infinity stops are well forward
of the hinge!)

[alecj]

That's the problem, Jack. I'd bet the camera is still set up for the original lens, probably a 103mm. I also bet your focus scale on the bed is wrong too. If you'll take it off and look on the reverse, there's a number. Post it and we'll look it up for you.

So, for that lens, either the stops must be moved [not an easy job to do right] or an extra stop installed just for that lens [that's what I would recommend].

[jack andersson]

what does the focusing scale have to do with anything? who uses a focusing scale on any
format camera ? one uses a rangefinder or
ground-glass !?!

please come back - (after you've thought about it)

[jdman]

I have several cameras in medium format and 35 mm that do not have a rangefinder or Ground Glass. By using depth of field it is pretty easy to
get sharp pictures, i.e action type. Example: 6x9 format, 80mm lens, F-16, Distance scale set to 16 feet, you will be in focus from 8.5 feet to 157.11. When push comes to shove, and using a sports finder, the scales come in pretty handy. Russ

[alecj]

[RKnoppow]

The instructions I posted some time ago are for 4x5 cameras. The settings for shorter focal length lenses are different although the procedure is the same. I am away from home at the moment so do not have access to my Kalart materials. I will post again later with more info on the small format RF.

_________________
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com

[jack andersson]

alecj -

The numbers on the bottom of the focusing scale on my 2 X 3 are 30817-3 - will this
help?

Thanks again

[alecj]

Darn, Jack. No help at all. I don't know whether there was an earlier set of scales, or what. Yours is only the second p/n that wasn't on my list. I can't identify 30817-3.

My list covers lenses from 47mm up to 381mm, and the Graflex part numbers all begin with either 30881- or 30882-

Sorry I can't help. Maybe someone else has a list with that p/n identified.

Alec