a dumb question I know, but should the bellows always be extended as far as the infinity stops, or (alternatively) when should the bellows only be extended part way? having just acquired a speed graphic and had it serviced, was advised that bellows should only be extended part of the way, for rangefinder focussing; is that right?

If you want the rangefinder to be accurate, you need to extend the bellows up to the infinity stops.
Without delving into too much detail, let me explain just this: rangefinder is mechanically linked to the rails (via eccentric screw on the side), and the only position of the bellows/front standard where the rangefinder is accurate is when the front standard is locked at the infinity stops. All of the above presumes that you have the lens to which the rangefinder is matched.

Sounds complicated, but isn't really

The advice you received is true - the bellows should be extended only part way - i.e. to the infinity stops - if you want to use the rangefinder to focus.
For close-ups, you'll need to extend the bellows further, and you won't be able to use the rangefinder - you usually use the ground glass in such situation.

If you want to check whether everything is really aligned and set up properly, you can test the camera as follows:

Extend the bellows/front standard to the infinity stops and lock it there. Set the camera on tripod, and aim at a very far object (at least one mile away). Focus using the distance scales, until the scales align at the infinity mark. Open the back panel (ground glass "shade"), and check the image on the ground glass using a loupe. The object (at least a mile away) should be in focus, the rangefinder should also be in focus (two images aligned), and the distance scales on the bed should be aligned on the infinity mark. If everything is indeed aligned, congratulations! Everything works as it should

BTW, you might repeat the above procedure at various closer distances - i.e. those engraved on the distance scales on the bed (front rails).

HTH,

Denis

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: DenisP on 2005-10-14 14:40 ]</font>