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djon · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 174 Location: New Mexico

What's involved in turning an extra Century into one dedicated to 135 or 150 with an accurate rangefinder (eg Optar/Raptar/Xenar)?

Is there a cam in Kalarts that can be switched directly from 4X5 into a Century?

Can the entire Kalart just be switched out of one and into the other?

I'd violently pillage a 4X5 Crown or Speed for the longer lens and rfdr parts, leaving the stripped carcass to bleach in the sun or to suffer the indignity of further dissection for EBay...

djon · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 174 Location: New Mexico

fyi, I did download various Kalart links from this site...excellent! But I didn't find any reference to a "cam" (ie not like Linhof).

IS there a cam in this system, or does each lens have its own special arm?

Is it feasible to create a longer-lens (135 or 150) Century, or would I have to create special parts?

Henry · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 5:41 pm Post subject:

On my Century there's no cam. The Kalart adjusts internally for different focal lengths. You *may* be able to tweak it for a 135 lens; 150 would probably (?) be out of range. The Kalart instruction book I own only mentions focal lengths of 101-105 for the 2x3, but longer for the 3x4 and 4x5.

BTW, my 135 Optar is a mighty good lens, real sharp, and plenty of coverage for the limited movements of the Century. I find it to be just right for architectural work (exteriors), for example, building façades from across the street when standing in traffic would be bad for your health. But I always focus on the ground glass for such work, and keep the Kalart adjusted at 101 for hand-held shooting through the sports finder with the "normal" lens.

bertsaunders · Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:57 pm Post subject:

Djon,
The side mounted Kalarts are the same for all sizes (except for mfg dates and >arm lengths<)
NO CAM...adjusted internally.....they will all adjust to the 135mm lens.....only diff on the 2x3 format would be the larger image circle, you would only be using the center of the lens......with lots of wiggle room!
Best to focus on the GG, rather than mess with the RF, as Henry suggests!
Bert

djon · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 174 Location: New Mexico

Thanks gents... exactly the answers I needed...

What I have in mind to make is a 6X9 rangefinder casual portrait camera...135mm would be as good as 150 for the purpose.