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LitWit
Joined: 12 Jan 2002 Posts: 3 Location: No. California
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2002 1:43 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
Today I bought a Crown Graphic in excellent condition, shot a roll of film (has a 23 back) to test the rangefinder accuracy (appeared good) then as I was putting the camera through its paces and checking its movements, something got hung up as I was racking it in and out. There was a snap, and some sort of a short cam or pin with a black plastic top popped out, followed by a series of bearings and cylinders which spilled from a tube that goes up to the rangefinder. Now, obviously, I did something wrong and the rangefinder is inoperable, and I'm heart broken. I know I can use the camera as is via the ground glass, but the rangefinder was a joy to use in this format (4x5). Any suggestions for whom to contact to fix this? Is it self-reparable? Your comments and advice (positive, please! I know I'm a klutz) are appreciated.
Roger
_________________ Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. Groucho Marx. |
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daleraby
Joined: 24 Nov 2001 Posts: 60 Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2002 4:52 am Post subject: |
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Try this indivudual: romney@teleplex.net. He wrote the article on Kalart rangefinder adjustment on this page. He might have a suggestion or two, if not be able to help himself... but wait for other suggestions as well, there are a few here who do restoration themselves. Good Luck.
Dale |
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LitWit
Joined: 12 Jan 2002 Posts: 3 Location: No. California
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Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2002 10:36 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, Dale.
I'll keep my alert to new replies on, and I've sent a message to the person you suggested.
Best
Roger |
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steve@toprinting.com
Joined: 27 Sep 2001 Posts: 33 Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2002 8:50 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry to hear of your mishap.
Same thing happened to me when I first got mine. It's a helpless feeling watching those little balls and spacers falling into the grass/dirt. Mine never had a cam so the rf never worked. No loss on my end. I wanted to use the gg for scenics all the time. I filled the tube w/ 3/32" ball bearings. I've been told that it should work properly when (if) I get the proper cam. But I learned to close the camera properly after that. This has been addressed (probably mine) in the past. Someone knows the fix for you.
S. F.
_________________ FOLLOW THE K.I.S.S. PRINCIPLE (KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID) |
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CharlesC
Joined: 10 May 2001 Posts: 25 Location: East Tennessee
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2002 12:59 am Post subject: |
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If you really want to try the steel ball remedy, you might try http://www.steelmedia.com/index.html for a source of ball bearing balls. |
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LitWit
Joined: 12 Jan 2002 Posts: 3 Location: No. California
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2002 6:30 am Post subject: |
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Dear Steve and CharlesC,
Thanks both for your recent comments/suggestions. Tonight I patiently put all of the bearings/spacers back in the tube, replaced the plunger, found the cam floating around in the camera body and reinserted it, and the rangefinder seems to be working accurately and smoothly. I had been lucky in that when all the bearings/spacers fell out, I was in my home office and my carpet is industrial type, so I was able to find all those that hit the floor. I appreciate everyone's help. I'll let you know how this is working after I've had a couple of weeks to play with it.
Best
Roger |
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