How do you get the Belows out of a Speed Graphic?

[Pirate]

The bottom seam of the bellows in my little Speed has come a bit un-glued. Still light tight but there's a rubber type of covering on the bellows that I need to re-glue.

I've got the lens and back panel off to look, but there doesn't seem to be an easy way about this.

Is there another linky for how to disassemble one of these?

Thanks

 

[Pirate]

Oh, and I need to take the lens apart and clean the elements....

 

[martin s]

I'd try to find somebody who can explain the camera to you in person - much easier. When I first started to use large format I luckily had a friend who took an afternoon to show me how to set things up, and take things apart.

martin

 

[Pirate]

I actually do have one of those friends, my German photography buddy, I just don't get to see him as much as I'd like. Should see him later this week though.

 

[Pirate]

And I spent the morning/afternoon calibrating the rangefinder by some of the links you guys have given me. It's dead on and beautiful. Can't wait to start shooting with it.

 

[oftheherd]

And I spent the morning/afternoon calibrating the rangefinder by some of the links you guys have given me. It's dead on and beautiful. Can't wait to start shooting with it.

Which version of the Kalart do you have? Got a photo?

 

[Pirate]

Give me a couple minutes and I'll take a pic of it and post it.

 

[Pirate]

 

[Pirate]

The moon was out last night (it wasn't the first time I calibrated the RF) so I went at it again to get a better infinity focus point set. Tripped and bumped the top mirror and threw everything out of way. Had to bend the top mirror bracket back in place (not bad) and spend an hour resetting everything to get back to where I was to finish the main calibration. All worked out in the end though.

 

[oftheherd]

The moon was out last night (it wasn't the first time I calibrated the RF) so I went at it again to get a better infinity focus point set. Tripped and bumped the top mirror and threw everything out of way. Had to bend the top mirror bracket back in place (not bad) and spend an hour resetting everything to get back to where I was to finish the main calibration. All worked out in the end though.

That's what you get for going out to bay at the moon. 😀 😀 😀

I saw the photo of your Kalart. Thanks. Glad you were able to get all back in good order.

I know of at least 3 versions for 9x12. I have yet to go inside them. Trying to avoid that. On one I thought the top lifted off by loosening the two screws on the ends, but that just revealed a spring that pushed out on the end plates. I quickly retightened the screws as I didn't have a real work area set up; low to a rug, towel on table, tray for parts, etc. I think one may look sort of like the one you depict. The other two, not.

 

[John Lawrence]

These links may be of some help to you:

http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=5269&highlight=bellows+replace

http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/graflex/index.html


John

 

[oftheherd]

Thanks for the links John Lawrence.

 

[Pirate]

Thanks for the links, John.

I'm still trying to find the serial number on this 3x4 so I can date it. The only number I could find is on the Rangefinder cover but I think that is specific to the Kalart.

But at least it's working and ready to shoot. I'm going to try to load up some more film tonight and maybe take it out Friday or Saturday and get some shots with it. I also just ordered all the stuff to start developing my own 135 and 120/220 film. Now I'm going to have to get stuff for developing this 3x4 also. I am so looking forward to it!