I'm trying to get the rangefinder, apparently a Kalart Model F (Ser. No. F28215), on my 1940 4x5 Anniversary Speed Graphic to work correctly. With the instructions posted on the graflex.org site, I have replaced the splitter mirror, and have tried calibrating the rangefinder, but I have one sticky problem.

The problem: the rotating side-to-side coincidence adjustment for the bottom mirror (which I shouldn't have touched, but that's history) has two settings. For lack of a better desription, small pivot hole toward top of rangefinder and pivot hole toward the bottom. When the pivot hole is toward the top, the rangefinder swings freely, but the side-to-side adjustment is way out of alignment and the side-to-side adjustment can't be brought into coincidence. When the pivot hole is down, the side-to-side adjustment is in proper range, but the rangefinder hangs at close focusing distances and I have to touch the bottom mirror with a cotton swab to get it to spring return to the infinity position. I tried lubricating the mechanism with Ronson lighter fuel (another graflex.org idea), but that doesn't seem to help.

Does anyone have any ideas? More shim washers? Is my description clear enough?

Joe Koski

Further checks inside the case of the rangefinder indicate that a weak return spring, a coil spring, about 1/2 inch long and maybe 1/16 inch diameter, is the source of the problem. The spring is no longer strong enough to pull the mechanism back to the infinity position from the closer focusing postions.

I could try shortening the existing spring, but that's a one shot try that could leave me without a usable spring.

Does anyone have a source for small coil springs that they could suggest?

Thanks.

Joe Koski

try http://www.smallparts.com

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look.

Joe Koski