Graflex.org

[cmg]

I just picked up Super Graphic on eBay. It's in decent shape but could use a little TLC.

I've got several questions:
1) The rangefinder is fairly dirty. How do I access it to clean the optics?
2) It came with a 135/4.7 Raptar. I'm thinking I want to try my 90 mm Angulon. Where's the rangefinder cam?
3) Can I outfit it with a roll film back?
4) Lensboard doesn't fit properly. Good source for those? (Is the info on this website up to date?)
5) A repair manual would probably be really useful. Can anyone comment on Ed Romney's book? Actual repair manuals still in circulation?

Thanks,
Chris

[45PSS]

Chris,
answers to your questions in _____ order:

5)Ed's book should be good. A fractory repair manual reprint is available from http://www.craigcamera.com . The site does not work with some personal firewalls, if you get a blank page, clear your browser catch and disable your firewall and try again. The manuals are found under Reprinted Repair Manuals, other Graphic manuals under Photographic Literature.

1). Using the repair manual, remove bellows, remove back, remove and clean rangefinder. Reassemble.

2).Open and lock the bed. Move front standard to the infinity stops if equiped, about 1/3 the way out on the rails if not. The cam door just under the top of the camera between the bellows and the bottom of the camera top. Looking at the lens with camera open as described, hinge is on extreme left and open tab 2/3 of width to the right. Pull straight out. Push cam (big silver thing) to the left then pull out. Installation is reverse of removal.

4).Remove the lens/board. Looking at the front standard on the lower left corner is the selonid, check for plunger being stuck out of position. Check board for notch for selonid and is lens positioned correctly?
Site info for purchase of new/used boards is accurate. Columbus camera boards are ALWAYS tight(hard to install/remove). Check Locks on camera also. Large bumps on board go under locks.

3)YES. Click on search use rollfilm back or 4x5 rollfilm back as the key word, select search for all the terms(should be the default but isn't), select Accessories Help first then try Film Help instead of All the fourms. That should give you all the info on the rollfilm backs and the many discussions about them.

6). If you havent already, get a clean cotton cloth or two, a bottle of windex and start cleaning. When finished take some LIGHT machine oil and wipe a thin drop on the ralis, front standard lock and movements, the bed hinge, anything metal that moves, less oil is better luberication on a camera. Wipe down the bellows with the windex/clean cloth also then coat them with Lemon Pledge! Remove focus pannel and put your hand inside to support the bellows while cleaning/conditioning.

7)Load some film and go shoot something and enjoy it(the camera).

Charles

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



[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2003-12-23 21:55 ]