Hey folks, I've been wanting to try large format photography for a while now but didn't want to spend $$$$ on new equipment. I opted for a Graflex because of the good rep and, well, nostalgia and affordability. My question is in regard to one of the lenses that came with the camera. It's a 90mm Graflex Optar w/a Graphex Full Synchromatic shutter. Although it isn't the one mounted on the camera at the moment, it is in a lensboard and also came with a cam for the top-mounted rangefinder. My problem is that I can seem to turn the outer ring. The one on the camera moves fine, but this one seems stubbornly glued in place (stuck at 1/2 sec). I don't know anything about this format and have no idea what is up here. Everything else on the lens seems fine--shutter cocks and trips, press focus button, etc, okay. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I just hope I don't find myself having one of those, "Well, duh" moments! Thanks

I'm not sure which outer ring on the camera you're referring to. It sounds as though the shutter speed ring on the lens/shutter is stuck. It is a fairly easy task to remove the face plate and speed ring on a Graphex no. 1 shutter, which is what yours likely is. After unscrewing the front lens element, notice the two small screw heads on either side of the lens opening. Removing these enables you to lift out the face plate and speed ring. If you're lucky, all it needs is a good cleaning to remove gunked up lube from the underside of the speed ring. Having done this operation several times, I will say that it's fairly touchy getting the speed ring back onto the shutter front. If you're not handy doing such work, your best move may be to send it out to someone like Flutot's or Grimes. Don't send it to Lustig unless you have LOTS of time! OTOH, he may be your best bet if it should need parts. Use the search feature on this board, or Google, to fnd the URLs (Lustig doesn't have a site; his phone is 775-746-0111).

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2006-08-14 06:03 ]</font>

For the money Carol charges, last I checked it was about $45 I would send it to her and have her go through it and adjust for speed and such, she is probably one of the best values in LF gear in this day and age.

Dave

Thanks people! I will check these folks out and decide what to do next. I truly appreciate your help here.