My new 3x4 has a #3 mask set in the viewfinder. I'm assuming then that the original (not present) lens was a 127mm ektar. Easy enough to find. But is there a way to tell by the focus scale? I remember that there was either a number on one of them or something to indicate this. I've read through some of the posts here but haven't found a definite answer. Maybe its in one of the Graflex books? Any tips would be good. And appreciated.

Both my 3x4 cameras,Ektar & Optar lenses,came with a No.3 mask.Frankly,I shouldn't worry about it,just enjoy taking the photographs.

Enjoying taking photograhs neccesitates having a lens. This one didn't come with one. So I need to pick one up. I was asking about the focus scales and if there is a way to know what they are calibrated for. I prefer to use the scales, as opposed to the rangefinder or GG. For me its faster and more fun. So getting a lens that suits the scales is my first interest.

Is this a pacemaker or Anny? there is a formula for calculating a lens from the displacement (close focus to inf) but it gets complicated with the vernier style scale.


Les

Its a pacemaker. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you so much.

Quote:

On 2004-09-16 07:59, Gammanine wrote: Enjoying taking photograhs neccesitates having a lens. This one didn't come with one. So I need to pick one up. I was asking about the focus scales and if there is a way to know what they are calibrated for. I prefer to use the scales, as opposed to the rangefinder or GG. For me its faster and more fun. So getting a lens that suits the scales is my first interest.

Not to be impolite, but what do the scales you have have to do with the lens you don't?

I ask because the scales are for a lens of known focal length. Since a lens' actual focal length is rarely equal to its nominal focal length, you're going to have problems finding a lens for the scales unless you get lenses with the right of return and can measure focal length fairly well.

It isn't enough to know that you have, say, scales for a 127, and then get a lens that's engraved "f = 127 mm."

Now, you can get any old lens you want and then make your own scales for it.

Sorry, welcome to the wonderful world of Graflex,

Dan

I think that fitting a lens, then making a new scale for the yoke (you can keep the existing one on the bed) is the most practical immediate course, as it will have you taking pictures sooner than hunting around for a scale that may or may not do what you want.

Of course, if you do have a scale for a 127mm. lens, and you get a 127mm. lens, you ought to test it against targets carefully set up at the marked distances (to 25 ft., at least), and see how accurate it is. It may work fine, and you won't need to do anything more.

If it doesn't, make a replacement!

I think some of you misread the original question.
And then made wrong assumtions.
I'm not new to graflex. I have several and have had many of them over the years. I currently own several in shooting condition and I use them frequently. I'm not in a rush for this project to be underway, I don't need to 'get shooting'. I am shooting. I have been shooting. Thanks for the welcome to graflex bit. My supervior said the same thing to me when the speed I borrowed from him left me with half exposed frames. That was a long time ago. the curtain had rolled 1/2 way up, I didn't know about the rear curtain till then. I cut it out with a razorblade.
I know they had tweaked scales for lenses that were a bit off the given focal length. The cat number would be followed by another number to indicate the amount of tweak. For me.. They don't have to perfectly match the lens, Close is fine. I'll make a gg test, note the discrepancies and move on.
I wanted to know if the camera was originally set up with a 127. The scales would prove that, if one could id the scales via the code number.
I'll have less to deal with if I get a lens close to what was on it. Path of least resistance.
And for what its worth, I've setup dozens of speeds and crowns in my time. Often I've changed from say a 135 optar to a 135 nikkor and had no issue with the scale at all whatsoever. In fact I took the 103 graftar off my Century last year and switched to a Symmar 105 convertible.. guess what... focus scales are dead on.
Go figure.

Take the bed scale off and record the number stamped on the bottom. Check to see if that number has come up in a previous post such as this: http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?topic=2455&forum=1

The search: focus scale/all the terms/all fourms.

If you cannot find the number listed then post it and someone with the list will respond.

_________________
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a quality photograph is worth a million.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2004-09-16 17:41 ]</font>

Now thats what I'm talkin about.
Damn fine advise my friend. Thank you.
I kept trying to search for this here and never did the search all the terms thing.
Turns out I got me a 135mm scale here.
Woo hooo I luuuvv puzzles...
Thank you thank you thank you