On a Crown Graphic, I removed the optical tube viewfinder and purchased modern zoom versions that cover the focal lengths of my lenses. The new viewfinders fit into a standard modern cold shoe (same as SLR flash hotshoe) and so have connections both smaller and thick than the clip for the 1940s tube finder.

Although I could glue a modern cold shoe onto the plate of the old clip, I'd prefer not to permanently alter the camera. Any ideas that doesn't require metal work: that is, I could try to cut or fold sheet metal into the shape of the old receptor than glue the new cold shoe onto the metal, but I'm hoping for something simpler. Any ideas would be welcome.[/img]

To post images on this site you must upload them to an image hosting site then use the supplied code to embed them here or link to them.

Are we to assume you have a side rangefinder Crown with Graphic Optical Viewfinder?

45PSS wrote:

Are we to assume you have a side rangefinder Crown with Graphic Optical Viewfinder?

Yes, a side rangefinder Crown, by design, but no rangefinder on the camera.

George B wrote:

https://www.flickr.com/groups/graflex/discuss/72157655102858959/

Your post wins the award for most spot-on response (particularly when adjusted for level of difficulty, or in this case weirdness, in the request). Thanks so much. Sadly, the ebay link came up blank. I did email the designer directly. So we'll see. Thanks so much.

Quote:

Yes, a side rangefinder Crown, by design, but no rangefinder on the camera.

The optical viewfinder of a Crown/Speed with a Graphic (top mount) rangefinder is an integral part of the rangefinder cover.
A Crown/Speed with a side or no rangefinder has the optical viewfinder mounted on the camera top with three machine screws in the shoe of the finder with a retainer plate on the under side of the camera top. It would be easy enough to drill a cold shoe to mount to the body with or without the optical shoe retainer plate.
The body of all versions Crown/Speed are 1/4 inch thick Mahogany, the covering is Naugahyde aka letterette.

45PSS wrote:

Quote: Yes, a side rangefinder Crown, by design, but no rangefinder on the camera. The optical viewfinder of a Crown/Speed with a Graphic (top mount) rangefinder is an integral part of the rangefinder cover. A Crown/Speed with a side or no rangefinder has the optical viewfinder mounted on the camera top with three machine screws in the shoe of the finder with a retainer plate on the under side of the camera top. It would be easy enough to drill a cold shoe to mount to the body with or without the optical shoe retainer plate. The body of all versions Crown/Speed are 1/4 inch thick Mahogany, the covering is Naugahyde aka letterette.

Thanks, and I did think of this, but for whatever reason I'm reluctant to permanently alter the body of the camera.

Do you have a Dremel with cutoff wheels, a drill and bits?
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-1-2-in-x-48-in-Aluminum-Flat-Bar-with-1-8-in-Thick-801987/204273937
Form a piece to fit the view finder shoe then attach the cold shoe to with screws or glue.
Aluminum bar is available at a verity of stores if a big orange box is not near by plus there's online ordering.