Hello,

I noticed that if you take off the focusing screen on a graflex pacemaker, there is black felt at the top and bottom of the camera. I assume this is to prevent light leaks. Does it ever need to be replaced?


Thanks,
Ronrut B

If it's still in place and you have no light leaks, then I'd leave it be. As for replacement, I've used black gaffer's tape (on "permanent loan," i.e., purloined, from my previous place of employment), laid down on glass sticky side down and cut to width with a single-edge razor blade guided by a metal straight edge. I've not used this on Graphics, though, but rather in the light-trap channels on the backs of 35 mm cameras. It seems to do the trick there.

45 Pacemaker Speed and Crown service manual 193-263
Graflex Inc. A subsidiary of General Precision Equipment Corporation
Illustrated Parts Breakdown fig.8 Graflok Back item 25
31722-P3 Strip - light seal quantity 2
33836-G3 Back Assembly quantity 1
(both part numbers listed under the same item number)

No light seal listed for the Graphic or Graflex back.

No indication of what material was used, probably heavy velvet, felt should work also. The channel is probably 1/16 inch deep and the material should be glued in place.

As Henry says, if its working fine don't mess with it.

If they are torn or missing sections replace the bad one(s).