Graflex technician needed

[lufftpablo]

Hi, i recently bought a graflex crown.

The kalart rangefinder is not synchronized with the lens.

Also the lens, a schneider xenar 135 4.7, seems to have a problem, there is some kind of fog or light leak on the center of the image, i think that is the lens, not the bellow because i checked it with a flashlight and i did not see a light leak.

If someone could recommend a good technician, best if based in europe i would apreciate that.

Thanks a lot

 

[Mackinaw]

Maybe post a question on the Graflex site?

http://graflex.org/

Jim B.

 

[jim_jm]

It's relatively easy to calibrate the Kalart RF on your Crown, Graflex.org has the details here: http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/kalart-adjustment.html . Using these instructions, it took me about a hour or so to get mine adjusted.

As to the lens, if you have a sample image someone here might be able to help diagnose a possible cause.

Not sure about Graflex service in Europe, but you can also look on Graflex.org or post a question on LFF forum as well.

Good Luck!

 

[Moto-Uno]

https://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalart/new.html

Try this site for info. Peter

 

[BillBingham2]

I remember something about my fathers Crown having two stops for different lenses. Might want to look into that issue too.

B2 (;->

 

[Corran]

It's relatively easy to calibrate the Kalart RF

It really isn't easy to calibrate with any degree of accuracy.

Unless you specifically want to shoot handheld, don't bother.

Light leak in the middle of the image?? Perhaps post an example as there's no reason that any lens should have a "leak" unless the shutter blades are simply so gummed up as to not close properly, which I have seen a couple of times.

 

[johannielscom]

Hi, i recently bought a graflex crown.

The kalart rangefinder is not synchronized with the lens.

Also the lens, a schneider xenar 135 4.7, seems to have a problem, there is some kind of fog or light leak on the center of the image, i think that is the lens, not the bellow because i checked it with a flashlight and i did not see a light leak.

If someone could recommend a good technician, best if based in europe i would apreciate that.

Thanks a lot

This is the fellow you want. Jo Lommen is based in the Netherlands and is a specialist in getting the Pacemaker and Anniversary Speed Graphics to work with the Kodak Aero Ektar 2.5/178mm lens, and that's a lens that needs very precise work to get it to comply with the 4x5 camera!

There's a DIY on his web site on calibrating the Kalart rangefinder (photographers used to do that themselves in the 1940s and onwards, not that hard), read it here.

 

[lufftpablo]

hi here is a picture, sorry about the quality, it is a fuji fp100c with the problem that is in every picture

 

[Corran]

Please post a picture of your Polaroid or Fuji instant film holder, so we can see the darkslide area.

Occasionally you'll find some of these holders that actually do not work with the Graflex back. For some specific market or camera, they were made with the opening slightly adjusted to the middle. I had one like that and on my Speed Graphic it did not quite sit correctly in the camera and would leak light just like that.

The solution was getting another holder. I discovered the discrepancy after a lengthy discussion about these holders on the Large Format forum.

The difference in placement of the film area is very slight and it can be hard to tell without comparison, and impossible to know unless you are aware of the problem. There are no identifying marks AFAIK on the holders.

There may also be a tear in the Speed Graphic focal plane shutter if you used that, or light leak in the bellows. Have you tested / looked for that issue?

I highly, highly doubt there is a light leak in the lens, but one other thing - there aren't any open holes in the lens board right? Sometimes these lenses come with a solenoid that people remove, which leaves a couple of little screw holes in the board. They can be patched up with electrical tape. Normally though it creates a faint double-image, like a pinhole, not a flare like that. Ask me how I know... 🙂