Graflex.org

[DGeraths]

Can someone tell me what year the Kalart Focus Spot hit the shelves?

There is one attached to my 1943 Speed Graphic but I don't know if it is original to the camera.

Thoughts?

[alecj]

Please be patient. I'm sure Les will respond when he sees this request. He is the one most likely to know this.

[troublemaker]

The Focuspot could be original or fitted at any time, but I'd think original.
The Kalart rangefinder cover was changed, I think in the early 1940's, to accept the focuspot and has a twist lock configuration and is easily removed. If one didn't order thier camera with a focuspot installed, the Kalart cover featured a black cover plate light shield that could be slid out of the way to accept the Focuspot. That is what the two small threaded holes are for if you can see them on top of the Kalart cover. One is the hinge point screw for the little cover plate, the other a stop.
Most Focuspots I have seen are more permanentently installed with a small brace with fasteners.
I would think dating the focuspot also coincides with the introduction of the black Kalart side mounted covers with the twist lock Focuspot adapter on the top.

[Les]

Sorry AlecJ but I don't have a definitive answer. I read somewhere that it was developed during the war to photograph the innards of airplanes (the story changes between B-17s and B-25s) I suppose it's possible that it came out in '42, but '43 is more likely.

And I agree with troublemaker in that it had to coincide with the change from the silver E-3 Kalart to the black E-4, though I've seen black Kalarts that didn't have that manhole cover on top too.

One more thing for me to track down before I finish writing.


Les
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