Crown Graphic Focusing and Resources

<p>I have a Crown Graphic that I've used extensively for 30 years. It is a tank and a work horse that has never failed me. The Kalart finder seems to be functional, but I've never had a cam for it.</p>

<p>In an upcoming project, I need to do hand held portrait shots. I want to use my 150mm f/9 G-Claron because of its small size, sharpness and bokeh (I know the sharpness is offset by being hand held).</p>

<p>My question is really this: are there any "go-to" resources you can recommend for a service that works on CG's, Kalart finders, and might have various parts needed to bring my camera up to spec with this lens?</p>

<p>As a bonus round question: are there any good Linhof-like grips that have a release on it that can be used with the CG? Thanks in advance for any ideas.</p>

<p>The "handle" designed for the graphics was the flash gun, mounted on the side of the camera.</p>

<p>The side-mounted Kalart r/f does not use cams. it has internal adjustment screws. Instructions are available on the i'net.</p>

<p>You might look at www.graflex.org which is the site dedicated to that camera line. It's not very active, but does have good resource pages.</p>

<p>- Leigh</p>

<p>There were many L brackets with molded anatomical hand grip with cable release or a hole for one. Your best bet for one now is used, probably eBay.</p>

<p>Perhaps a monopod might be a better solution that a grip?</p>

<p>Call Steve Choi:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.stevecamera.com/index.html">http://www.stevecamera.com/index.html</a></p>

<p>Your Kalart rangefinder does not use cams. It is adjusted for 1 lens only. It can be adjusted for any lens from around 90mm to 165mm depending on lens design.<br>

<a href="http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kalart_1.html">http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kalart_1.html</a><br>

<a href="http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/kalart-adjustment.html">http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/kalart-adjustment.html</a><br>

<a href="http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalart/index.html">http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalart/index.html</a></p>

<p>Adjusting the Kalart to your lens is something you can do your self.<br>

I have adjusted several and can do it for you as well as CLA the camera body if needed.<br>

<a href="http://www.skgrimes.com/">http://www.skgrimes.com/</a> can service your camera and adjust the RF as well. </p>

<p>The Kalart can be adjusted for a lens and a focus scale made for that lens then the RF focused distance transfered to an additional focus scale for a different lens so that more than 1 lens can be used without recalibrating the RF. The Crown can accommodate 3 sets of focus scales.</p>

<p>If your Graphic has a top mounted rangefinder then it does use a cam. You would want cam #8 for a 150mm lens. The list of cams is at <a href="http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/top-rangefinder-cams.html">http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/top-rangefinder-cams.html</a>. If you intend to use the viewfinder, you would also want viewfinder mask #3.</p>

<p>Addition data: link to adjusting and technical stuff on top RFs <a href="http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/cams/index.html">http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/cams/index.html</a> </p>

<p>How to make a cam: <a href="http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/cams/index.html">http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/cams/index.html</a> and <a href="http://graflex.org/articles/cave.html">http://graflex.org/articles/cave.html</a></p>

<p>For calibrating or adjusting a Graphic Top Rangefinder use the instructions in<br>

<a href="http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/TRFService.pdf">http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/TRFService.pdf</a><br>

or<br>

<a href="http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/servicemanual.pdf">http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/servicemanual.pdf</a><br>

Mr. Lommen's site has some useful information and some very nice pictures but he cuts some corners in some of his adjustments which might result in a less than desired result for some users.</p>

<p>Graflex cams were matched to a lens. The lens was optically measured then a cam selected that was closest or a new one made from scratch. Cam mismatch shows up at the closer focusing distances. A lens that measures within a millimeter or two of the focal length the cam is cut for will usually work if the lens is stopped down.</p>

<p>If I ever get my hands on a Crown with a factory matched lens cam combination I will make all the measurements necessary and write a procedure to accurately cut a cam from scratch.</p>

<p>GREAT information all. Thank you so much! Lots of reading to do. How do you all know so much?<g></p>

<p>Maybe I'll just use my old Nikon SB-11 or Honeywell potato masher flashes for a handle. I was hoping for a grip that would hook up to the shutter release. That's another issue I have to look at: how to hook up the silver shutter release button to a lens. Thanks again!</p>

<p>Michael Axel asked: "How do you all know so much?<g>"</p>

<p>We are all born knowing everything and forget nearly all of it as we grow up. Some of us have never grown up.</p>