I bought an item on eBay (item 1950824879) - a Crown Graphic with top-mounted RF and 135 4.7 Optar lens. I had/have zero large format experience, but about 30 years of amateur experience with small/medium format.

I got a Grafmatic separately.I got a Gossen Luna Pro SBC and even a Photoflex changing tent.

I paid $325 for the camera, which appeared to be really nice at first,until I started learning how to use it and saw that the rangefinder is out of alignment.

As I said, I know nothing about these, except that I can see that while the images line up on the horizontal axis (please excuse my laymans terms) - they don't line up vertically.

I cannot afford to fix this camera - and I can't get my money back from the seller - who INSISTS that it was in alignment when he sold it. Perhaps it shifted in shipping.

I don't know and I don't care. Bottom line is that I can't afford to invest $100 to fix it - and I am not (seemingly) adept enough to fix it myself.

I looked at the repair manual, which can be found online - and I certainly can't be certain of what screws to turn or how to set it up to align it.

I don't know what to do. If would like to re-sell it, but I'll probably take a financial pounding with a misaligned rangefinder.

I could send it to S.K.Grimes -but I'm sure it would cost me at least $100 that I don't have.

So I'm slowly selling off alll the stuff I guess.

Back to MF/Small for me I suppose.

Any suggestions? (Damn, I even bought the book Graphic Graflex Photography) - and some vintage flash equipment (now sold as of today).

Any thoughts or help appreciatied.

Worst case of buyer's remorse I've ever heard. Almost anyone with a screwdriver can calibrate a rangefinder, so if you want to dump the camera...merely state in your listing that the RF needs calibration... and that shouldn't affect its value. Many, many need re-calibration, so it's no big deal.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: clnfrd on 2003-02-07 09:40 ]</font>

I thought this forum would be respectful instead of replete with amateur character assaults. Alas, it is like every other forum.

I do NOT have buyer's remorse. I have really been looking forward to using this camera. I have not relisted this camera *******.

The bottom line problem is that the seller explicitly and repeatedly stated that the rangefinder - in particular - was excactly in alignment on this camera - and that it was one of its chief qualities as a user camera. He went to great lengths to explain how it could be used 'like a big Leica' and I have emails and the original ad to prove that.

So stop trying to blame the victim.

Anyway. If I could fix the rangefinder with a screwdriver and not have to buy other cams or whatever else might be entailed I would GLADLY do so.

Maybe somebody with a decent attitude and no chip on his shoulder could help me out.

Please understand, I have no agenda here. I was merely trying to state a problem- -that is exacerbated by the fact that I don't have money at this time to fix an item that was misrepresented or somehow or other damaged.

What is the process - and referring to pages 7-10 of that repair manual doesn't help me, because it refers to cams that I don't have.

Do I merely adjust the screw under the rangefinder itself? or do I work from the inside mechanism near the cam?

Please help, and I will be sincerely and deeply appreciative.

Thanks.

Whoa, dude! You'll find the folks on this site EXTREMELY helpful - even if we are sometimes a bunch of smart-donkeys.

To your problem: Don't worry about "cams" - you already have the right one installed. The Ebay listing says that the camera comes with the ORIGINAL lens. Cams are matched to the specific lens. In fact, when you change lenses, you're supposed to also change cams. This requires adjusting the range-finder. Be sure to remove the cam (see manual) and attach it to the rear of the lensboard with the spring clip supplied on the lens it matches.

Calibrating the range-finder is really not that hard - trust us on this one!

But... for me the beauty of large-format is the crisp enlargements you can get, which means I won't use the range-finder. I *always* focus on the ground glass back, using a magnifier (to cheap to buy a "loupe") to be sure I'm in-focus.

So, I wouldn't sweat about the range-finder. It's no big deal to adjust - or not use at all!

Thanks AWT - I really appreciate it. You definitely made me feel better. I'm still not sure whether to try adjusting it myself or sending it to Fred Lustig... but now I feel better. Thanks.

Quote:

On 2003-02-07 08:22, mperetz wrote: I bought an item on eBay (item 1950824879) - a Crown Graphic with top-mounted RF and 135 4.7 Optar lens. I had/have zero large format experience, but about 30 years of amateur experience with small/medium format. I got a Grafmatic separately.I got a Gossen Luna Pro SBC and even a Photoflex changing tent. I paid $325 for the camera, which appeared to be really nice at first,until I started learning how to use it and saw that the rangefinder is out of alignment. As I said, I know nothing about these, except that I can see that while the images line up on the horizontal axis (please excuse my laymans terms) - they don't line up vertically. I cannot afford to fix this camera - and I can't get my money back from the seller - who INSISTS that it was in alignment when he sold it. Perhaps it shifted in shipping. I don't know and I don't care. Bottom line is that I can't afford to invest $100 to fix it - and I am not (seemingly) adept enough to fix it myself. I looked at the repair manual, which can be found online - and I certainly can't be certain of what screws to turn or how to set it up to align it. I don't know what to do. If would like to re-sell it, but I'll probably take a financial pounding with a misaligned rangefinder. I could send it to S.K.Grimes -but I'm sure it would cost me at least $100 that I don't have. So I'm slowly selling off alll the stuff I guess. Back to MF/Small for me I suppose. Any suggestions? (Damn, I even bought the book Graphic Graflex Photography) - and some vintage flash equipment (now sold as of today). Any thoughts or help appreciatied.

I've read your response to Fred. Stop projecting, and stop imagining the worst.

For small jobs Mr. Grimes is quite economical. Have you asked him for an estimate? Have you asked Fred Lustig for an estimate? Have you calmed down enough to spend some time staring at the RF adjustment instructions and at the RF itself? Staring calmly sometimes leads to enough enlightenment to do the job.

Put the camera on a tripod, focus on something more than a few feet away (say 10') using the ground glass, then see what the RF shows. Vertical misalignment shouldn't affect its ability to get you to good focus.

Last week was I reminded of The Hitchhiker's Guide. Remember what's supposed to be written written on the cover in friendly-looking characters. "DON'T PANIC."

Cheers,

Dan

Stop projecting, and stop imagining the worst?

I repeat:

"I thought this forum would be respectful instead of replete with amateur character assaults. Alas, it is like every other forum."

"So stop trying to blame the victim."

Why do you feel the need to do this?

Sorry. mperetz, didn't really mean to be disrespectful of anyone. You can't help it if you're not a repair-type person. I truly hope you get the help you need. Fred.

Fred: Check your private messages.

Quote:

On 2003-02-07 12:29, mperetz wrote: Stop projecting, and stop imagining the worst? I repeat: "I thought this forum would be respectful instead of replete with amateur character assaults. Alas, it is like every other forum." "So stop trying to blame the victim." Why do you feel the need to do this?

You shouldn't impute motivations to other people. When you do that you project your own worst fears, and generally miss the mark.

I don't think I addressed your character, except indirectly by suggesting that you get estimates from repairmen instead of guessing how much they might charge. As I typed, don't panic. I can't believe that Steve Grimes would charge $100 or more for a relatively simple job. Did you ask him? Yes, by asking the question again I must be accusing you of many character defects. Not listening, and not responding to direct questions, for two. I once saw an NY license plate that summed it all up. yeasowhat

Now take the logical equivalent of a cold shower, be grateful that you've been given positive suggestions intended to help you in your move up in format, and act on them. And don't be so sensitive, it just gets in the way.

Cheers,

Dan

Since you've already said: "I looked at the repair manual, which can be found online - and I certainly can't be certain of what screws to turn or how to set it up to align it", what do you expect us to do for you? You've already been told to get an estimate on the adjustment. And given two sources to ask. Get on with it! Or sell it.

We like to help here, but we can't perform miracles!

Okay I'm going to ignore most of the replies and tstart over. Sometimes I'm a bit dense so I'll ask a few pointed questions and If my hunch is right, we can get it to work.

I think I understand what you are saying about the rangefinder but I want to be sure.

Assume for a moment you want to photograph a white plate with a black table cloth on your kitchen table from say 10-12ft away.

Looking through the rangefinder can you get one image to hover above the other?

Or
No matter how hard you try you get one plate ALMOST on top of the other, but not quite?

If it's the first, YOU CAN DO THIS!!! It's a three step process and two of them are removing and replacing the top.

Les

Friend I looked through my range finder once just to see what it was for. Ever since I have used the ground glass. Try it before junking a fine camera.

On my Speed Graphic the rangerfinder works fine but the image is slightly off horizontally. Suppose that I use the rangefinder to focus on a doorframe. The horizontal lines will line up (with a vertical movement as they do) but the vertical sides of the doorframe will not. On mine, checking against the ground glass shows that I'm properly in focus, so I use it occasionally. But, I do 90% of the shots on the glass--it's almost impossible to get my kids to stand still enough for a handheld shot anyway. (-:

Rob Dean

Moderator's clarification: Rob's camera has a side rangefinder so the focusing knob moves the secondary image vertically, while Mr. Peretz's camera moves the secondary image horizontally.
Rob's point is still valid, even misaligned, the RF works, and there's nothing like the ground glass for peace of mind. Les

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2003-02-07 19:38 ]</font>

'course the ultra-cheapo way is to use the smallest possible lens aperture [hint: multiple M5 flashbulbs are your friend, or for extra power just get some flashpowder] and just kinda wing it with the focusing scale. Sure, your friends and family <i>may</i> end up with permanently-shrunk pupils, and flashpowder can get out of control sometimes... but that's what friends are <b>for</b>

I had to replace the mirror in my Kalart (it was in such bad shape, at first I couldn't figure out how it was supposed to work), and while I was waiting for the beamsplitter glass to show up I used the above technique for those "on the run" photos. Now I use it all the time (when I'm not using a tripod) and I've been happy with the results, and I have yet to use the Kalart "for real" even after I spent the effort fixing it.