Crown graphic rangefinder coupling

[degruyl]

I have just received a crown graphic that appears to have a missing rangefinder coupling. (top rangefinder)

Does anyone know whether there is a cable available that works here, and whatnot? Should I send it someplace for this repair, or is this something someone with a modicum of mechanical ability can fix?

 

[Steve M.]

It isn't a cable, it's an arm that rides on the side of the bed rail, towards the back. It may have slipped off. Look on the bed on the side (towards the back) on the same side of the chrome shutter release as you focus the lens board back and forth and see if you see it moving.

 

[ChrisN]

... Should I send it someplace for this repair, or is this something someone with a modicum of mechanical ability can fix?

These things are brutally (wonderfully) simple, once you understand what the various parts do. The best resource is http://graflex.org/ .

Once you have the rangefinder working you will find it is very accurate and reliable. You do have to have the correct rangefinder cam to suit the focal length of your lens (or the correct lens to suit your cam).

 

[degruyl]

It isn't a cable, it's an arm that rides on the side of the bed rail, towards the back. It may have slipped off. Look on the bed on the side (towards the back) on the same side of the chrome shutter release as you focus the lens board back and forth and see if you see it moving.

I don't see anything on the right (from the rear) side of the camera.

I see what appears to be a cable housing (like the shutter release coupling) coming from the top rangefinder down to the rear of the bed on the left (strap) side of the camera. I have to pull the standard off the rails to see this, as it is all the way at the rear of the bed. there appears to be a missing piece which would come between the coupling and an arm which is attached to the rear of the bed and sticking out approximately 1 inch. I figured that this was cable, but it could be almost anything I suppose.

Is there a blow up diagram / repair manual on the web somewhere? I am having the devil of a time locating one.

 

[Gumby]

I hesitate to say anything here becuase I can't speak authoritatively about Crown Graphics... but the "cable" situation that you describe sounds quite similar to how the rangefinder is connected on my Super Graphic. Warning: On the Super Graphic it is not a cable, but a tube... and in that tube are a series of small balls and spacers.