Kalart Side-mount RF

[David Graves]

I am the new caretaker for a Crown Graphic that is is missing its side-mounted rangefinder. The camera body and lens are otherwise worthy, so I am wondering 1)where to find a replacement for the one the one that was removed and 2) is calibration relatively easy? or 3) should I just use the ground glass and forget about replacing the RF?

 

[ethics_gradient]

Some were actually sold without RF's, although if the holes are there in the body, it probably had one originally. Extra Kalart rangefinders don't seem particularly scarce on eBay, someone was selling a pair of them on LFF recently. Not all are created equally: I have two Speed Graphics and the RF on one is noticeably brighter and more contrasty than the other.

There are instructions online to calibrate the Kalart, you'll need a tape measure, some small screwdrivers, and some patience to get it done. I found it do-able on my own, although it was fairly frustrating and I'm probably not going to be trying to recalibrate the body for other lenses anytime soon, if ever. Once working though, the Kalart is invaluable if you're trying to take candids/street photographs.

 

[David Graves]

Thanks for the encouragement. The holes are there, so I assume the camera was sold originally with the RF.

 

[oftheherd]

Some were actually sold without RF's, although if the holes are there in the body, it probably had one originally. Extra Kalart rangefinders don't seem particularly scarce on eBay, someone was selling a pair of them on LFF recently. Not all are created equally: I have two Speed Graphics and the RF on one is noticeably brighter and more contrasty than the other.

There are instructions online to calibrate the Kalart, you'll need a tape measure, some small screwdrivers, and some patience to get it done. I found it do-able on my own, although it was fairly frustrating and I'm probably not going to be trying to recalibrate the body for other lenses anytime soon, if ever. Once working though, the Kalart is invaluable if you're trying to take candids/street photographs.

I have two differenct Kalarts for 9x12. One is correctly calibrated. The other is not. I'm not looking forward to calibrating it, but it must be done.

 

[alecj]

Let Fred Lustig, in Reno, replace it for you. He uses only new parts ( he has more than anybody in the US) and is very reasonable in his costs. Note, he doesn't use email. You'll have to call him, and probably talk with his wife.

 

[boilerdoc2]

Agree re Fred Lustig. But tell him to get my CSpeed Graphic back to me before he starts on yours! LOL!
His # is 775-746-0111. Reno, Nevada.
Steve

 

[Pico]

You can get the whole manual on fixing and adjusting the Kalart and other LF rangefinders. I got mine on that big auction site.

It's not hard to calibrate as long as you have a lens that will match the finder. They seem to best accomodate lenses from 127mm to 135mm. It's done on a tripod at three distances. It take about three beers time. I do it in the back yard where I can set up targets and also have an object at infinity.

One thing to watch for is a rangefinder that has been previously adjusted. Very often the main adjustment screw is munged up beyond use. It's brass and easy to mess up. Another part that often needs to be replaced is the half-silvered mirror. It is tiny, and a bit of a trick to install securely. You can get the mirror from Edumunds. It is too big, but just cut it like any glass - score and snap.

I have never heard of Fred Lustig before. Darn. I'd much rather leave it to someone else.

 

[alecj]

Check out Graflex.org, and especially the Helpboard there for more information on this subject. On that site you'll find the manual to adjust and align your rangefinder, published by Kalart.

Another good source for information is http://www.southbristolviews.com/index.html Rich has a wonderful collection of Graflex literature and a lot of manuals, incl. shop manuals for these cameras. I don't know if he has yet published the Kalart shop manual I sent him, but I'm sure he'll soon have that up as well. Us oldtimers that want the use of these cameras to continue by younger people, don't like to see those old manuals being sold over and over again. We're trying our best to put them in the public domain. After checking out South Bristol, if you have anything like that that Rich doesn't yet have, please consider sending it to him for posting online, free.