I have two sets of distance scales and was
wondering what focal length they belong to.
I've searched this board and have had no luck finding them..

30881-37
30817-3
and
30881-7 (that's 135mm, right?)
30817-2

This website is a wonderful resource!
Thanks for any help in advance!

Ther was once upon a time a post on tis board with a number of the distance scapes, and I have written down that 30881-7 is straight 135 mm (not certain because it is, after all, a note in my own handwriting... even I cannot read my handwrting). Someone, I'm sure can confirm this

jeff

Phillip,
Just click on the Search link at the top of the page, type scales in the box then click the search button. The results at the bottom of the page is where Jeff made his notes from.

The 30881-37 is a scale for a 381mm lens.

The 30881-7 is a scale for 135mm as you suspected.

The other scales are pointers, right?

Thanks for all the helpful replies.
I did search through the board using the numbers and was able to confirm that 30881-7 is a 135mm distance scale. The other one (30881-37, 381mm as per AlecJ) I was not able to find anywhere.

And yes, the other numbers (30817-3 and 30817-2) are pointers. I was under the impression that you needed a matched set for a given focal length. I have a pacemaker crown with top rangefinder and it is a bit mixed up. 127mm cam, 135mm distance scales.
I've given up the idea of using the rangefinder with the exception of finding an Ektar 127mm lens for it..

I also have a pacemaker speed with side-mounted kalart so all is not lost I suppose.
Just wanted accurate distance scales for use with DOF charts. I'm sure that with practice it will become second nature.

Any tips for making my own distance scales?
Perhaps aluminum stock and a metal scribe?

Thank you for all the help! It is greatly appreciated.

45PSS, I just tried searching for 'scales' as opposed to '30881'.. Duh. I love the search engine, i've been a lurker for a long while now. Anyhow, just came across a page which seems mighty handy.

<a href="http://home.attbi.com/~colleenlaplante/focusscale.html">Graphic Focus Scale Calculator</a>

You enter

Phillip
I think that is a real shame that you have given up on using the Crown top mount rangefinder. The truth of the matter is that the rangefinder is the only reason I use my Crown Graphic. If I want to focus with the GG, I move anyone of my three Crown Graphic lenses/lensboards to my homemade View cameras. Do you own a 135mm lens? If so, I will mail the cam dimensions to you and help you in anyway I can. My three lenses are the 127mm, the 135mm and the 152mm.
Harry

I too have been contemplating making my own focus scales. I have come across a few sites on photoetching at home for making computer cirtuitry and/or details for scale models. At least one site had simple instructions on the process. I'd love to give it a shot, maybe report back on the process in the future... if you have a scanner and feel like scanning that 135mm scale along with a ruler in the image, email me the image and I may give it a shot (always an alterior motive, wouldn't you know; I happen to need a 135mm scale). I've been planning on making a plate to afix to some part of my current project giving dates and info to some future owner, and maybe even making a new shutter speed table as well.

jeff

Harry, I do have a 135mm lens. I've tried making a cam in the past although my patience ran a bit short. Then again all I had was the 127mm cam to go by. If you could post or email the dimensions for the 135mm cam and possibly 152mm cam as well, that would be swell! Even just a rough guide to work around would be great.
<a href="mailto:ppdimor@attbi.com">ppdimor@attbi.com</a>

Jeff, I did scan that distance scale in.
You can find it at <a href="http://66.31.241.200/scale/135mm_dist_scale.JPG">http://66.31.241.200/scale/135mm_dist_scale.JPG

Photoetching is a great idea, I did not think of that. I was going to use a carbide scribe and paint.. Let me know how it goes.

-phil

Wow, now I actually need to start getting supplies. Should be pretty easy compared to the labor I've been putting into my camera, should certainly result in a better looking product then scribing it in... I'm restoring 3 eras of Speed Graphic and at some point someone had done just that to the rails of all three. If it works and I post the instructions, I could be killing off a very lucrative (spelling?) industry on ebay for folks selling the scales. I picture a scene from the Godfather; waking up one night and instead of finding a horse's head beside me in bed, finding a front standard trailing bits of bellows behind.

jeff

Phillip
After I sent you a email, I decided to scan the cam drawing and post it on my web site. Note: The 0.4mm dip mentioned on the index page is closer to 0.3mm. Go to the bottom of the page:
http://www.worldphoto.us/graflexindex.html

Harry

Harry, Thank you so much! This will help me immensely! Having a diagram in front of me will be much easier than blindly 'winging' it!

Jeff, let me know how the photoetching goes!

Thanks!

I made my own focus scale on the computer. You need to find / have a drafting program that allows you to make very fine lines and control exactly where the lines are. If you don't have a program, try searching on http://www.zdnet.com - there is lots of shareware available. Then just print the scale out and use your favorite glue to mount it to a metal backing plate. Voila!

*scratches head*
It's so simple, I love it!
Thanks!

Well, in sorting through my many many parts, I have come across a diestance scale for a 135 lens (at least looks like it, number on the back rubbed off, have yet to test it with the camera) so I probably won't be trying the photoetching project I had planned. Some day, maybe, but not right away. So hopefully all those waiting with baited breath will not be too disappointed. Sorry folks, but I still think the idea is sound.

jeff