Graflex.org

[Frank Bunnik]

My Crown graphic arrived yesterday. Everything works fine, however, I can not extend the rail beyond the focussing scale that is at the end of the bed. When the infinity mark on the rail is at the "6" indication of the scale, it stops and I can not move it beyond. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for your help.

Frank

[awldune]

The rail is in two parts connected by a hinge, yes?

See if the rear section of the rail is catching on the rail guide on the bed. This is a relatively common problem and would suggest that either the rear rail section or the rear rail guides (within the camera body) are damaged.

If the rear guides are the problem, sometimes flipping the guides over will help. In the meantime, pressing down on the rear rail will help it to engage the bed guides.

[awldune]

I should note that the aforementioned damage is caused by trying to close the camera without retracting the rail fully.

ALWAYS retract the rail before closing the camera.

[Frank Bunnik]

Thanks for the quick reply. It was indeed the problem. I have to pull them up a little to catch the front rail guide and I have fixed it all ready.

[awldune]

It might be worthwhile to add shims under the rear rail guides so that the transition is smoother. You could try some strips of thin tape.

Applying some light grease (white lithium is good) to the rail guides should help also.

[45PSS]

http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/TRFPacemaker.pdf a newer user manual that may not be accessible from all computers;
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_5.html an early user manual;
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_4.html
There are several factors involved regarding your question.
http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/pacemaker-crown-graphic.html
The Crown should have 12 1/2 inches bellows draw. With the rails fully extended measure from the front standard to the film plane.
The rear portion of the bellows could be sticking preventing full travel; the rail lock may be engaging; a previous owner may have modified the rails to limit focusing beyond a certain point; the focus scale may be set at the rail limit(doubtful).
If you cannot resolve using the referenced material post pictures of the camera with the rails at the extended limit showing both sides of the complete camera. Upload your images to a free image hosting site and put the link that site provides in your post here.
There are many knowledgeable members that can/will help you.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[Frank Bunnik]

Thanks for all the help.

The rear section of the rails went under the frontal guides. What I did was remove the front screws of the rear guides so the rear section of the rails is more easily lifted up the necessary milimeter or so to catch the front guides. When a few milimeters of the rear rails were in the forward guides, I gently pushed the bed upwards, like closing the camera. This bended the rails a bit back in the correct position. It works as it should now. I tried to put the screws back in the rear guides but then they are pushed down too much so the rails slide under the forward guides again. I have therefore left the screws out.

A good idea to put some grease on the rails. I will do that.

I also found this website:
http://graflexphotography.blogspot.com/2007/02/crown-graphic-speed-graphic.html
where you can download the camera manual for free.

[45PSS]

All the manuals I linkd can be downloaded for free also, some easier than others.

From your description in Graphic terms: The shim(s) under yoke guide, case are missing. The shims came in 3 thicknesses, .0040, .0060, .0160 inch. The service instructions state to place an equal number of shims of the same thickness under each guide until the yoke slides smoothly between the case and bed. From memory the original shims are about 1 1/4 inches long, 3/8 inch wide with a squared notch 1/8~3/16 from each end about 1/4 wide for the guide screws. You can fabricate shims from paper or thin press board. They should be the length and width of the guides with a notch for the guide screws so that the shim can slide under the guide without having to remove the screws. Put an equal thickness under each guide so that when the guides are fully tightened down the rails (yoke) slides smoothly between the case and bed with the bed locked at 90 degrees to the body.

http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/servicemanual.pdf in adobe reader click save a copy.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.