[LargeFormat] Re: Crown Graflex 4x5 camera

[Richard Knoppow]

At 03:53 PM 08/13/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi all,
>
>I just purchase a very clean Crown Graflex 4x5 w/ 135mm lens.  Questions I
>have is the Crown Graflex limited to the types of lens it can use.  I have
>Caltar II N 90mm 6.8 lens and I use that for my Toyo view.  Can I use this
>lens for the Crown without a recessed lens board?  Or do they make a
>recessed lens board for the Crown?  Also, the 135mm lens has a bi-post
>connection for strobe use.  I have a bi-post to household adapter.  I tried
>a test shoot and it didn't fire.  I jiggled the adapter it fired and didn't
>fire.  Do I need to clean the bi-post contact, it does have some blacking on
>the posts.  Or should have looked at by a service center.  I tested the lens
>using polaroid film and there was no problem with available light.
>Exposures was perfect.  All the shutter speeds work and the aperature blades
>are clean.  Thanks for your help.  
>
>Regards,
>
>Frank L.
>
  Crown and Speed Graphics do not need recessed lens boards. The standard
is used on the inside part of the focus track. You will have to find the
approximate infinity position wiht the aid of the ground glass. You may or
may not have to use the drop bed for 90mm but you definitely will for
shorter lenses. My Speed Graphics (four of various ages and models) will
take a 65mm Super Angulon  without trouble. 
  Clean the bipost prongs with some contact cleaner to get the oxidation
off. You can also polish then using a bit of ordinary bond writing paper.
Don't use abrasive, its not necessary. 
  Its also possible that the contact inside the shutter is oxidized. This
is almost certainly a synch Graphex shutter. They are identical to the
Wollensak Rapax, a good shutter capable of being quite accurate when
serviced by someone who knows them. Make sure the delay lever is on X-F
position and not in OFF, which is next to it. 
  The Crown Graphic is essentially unlimited in how short a focal length
lens it can take but is limited on the long lens side by the 12-1/2"
bellows draw. For FL of greater than about ten inches you need to use a
telephoto lens. 
 There are reprint owner's manuals and repair manuals available. Check John
S. Craig at http://www.craigcameras.com or Petra Keller at
http://www.camerabooks.com
  Make sure you get a book for the right model. 
The first Pacemaker Crown Graphics came with a side rangefinder. This was
changed in about 1955 to a top rangfinder model. 
  See http://www.graflex.org for lots more.
----
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com