Graflex.org

[joecentric]

Hi, everyone. This is my first post, but I've been a long-time lurker and "enjoyer" of this forum.

The reason I'm posting is that I've finally joined the SG community with my recent purchase of a Pacemaker SG 2x3 (you can tell I'm new, because I haven't memorized the S/N yet!). I've had it for less than a week, and I'm still acquiring accessories for it, but it's already perhaps the most amazing photographic machine I've ever owned.

The first problem I'm encountering, though, is the front release function. The body release works fine for the FP shutter, really, but the front release cable had long been cut out. The fellow I bought it from included a replacement cable ass'y, but I'm noticing that the fittings for the replacement unit are slightly different (screw hole placement, etc.) than what I note from the remnants of the original. In addition, the older cable was internally supported and guided by a thin, stiff metal rod with "eyelets" - should I route the new cable through this, or simply let it curl up inside the body when I open/close it?

Finally, I'm left wondering if perhaps my replacement isn't even the proper unit for the 2x3 Pacemaker SG - could some kind soul provide me with a rough length measurement of a proper 2x3 Pacemaker SG front release cable? I'd hate for this one to be too long.

When I get back home, I can link to some photos of my gear if you need any clarification. Thanks a bunch for your help!


Cheers,
--joe.
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just some guy, you know?

[Dan Fromm]

Um, Joe, IMO the front shutter release is slightly, but not much, more useful than teats on a boar hog. Using it after changing lenses will require at least futzing with the paddle that presses on the shutter's release lever and may require swapping paddles.

Just use a cable release and don't look back.

Cheers,

Dan

p.s., I have two 2x3 Pacemakers, use a cable release on both.

[joecentric]

[joecentric]

Just for reference, I'm still curious about the means of installing/routing the built-in front cable release, at least for the idiosyncratic reasons mentioned above.

I've noted in some photographs of the larger 4x5 SG cameras that this cable seems to be routed through small tabs attached to the bellows themselves - kind of like little leatherette "thongs" with holes in them. This is a pretty standard means of securing release cables (see Polaroid folders, for example) so I was wondering if I was correct.

It should be noted that these tabs are conspicuously absent from my 2x3 Pacemaker - so if they are standard, then they were also cut out.

It seems, based on what I've been reading (here and elsewhere) that this is not at all surprising. If anyone has any specific insights to the original condition of this equipment, I'd certainly appreciate it. Thanks.


Cheers,
--joe.
_________________
just some guy, you know?

[tsgrimm]

Hello Joe,

On my 2x3 Crown the cable is routed through a double eyelet piece of wire (metal rod) that is somehow attached to the Body Shutter Release or the side of the body. Your replacement may be from a 4x5, a lot of them are stripped and parted out on the auction site. As close as I can measure the wire wound part of the cable is about 215-220mm on my 2x3 Crown

On a 4x5 a well functioning Body Shutter Release is nice to use. On a 2x3 there isn't enough mass to absorb the force (physics majors please step in) necessary to use the Body Shutter Release. A Speed weighing a tad more than a Crown may be different.

I agree with Dan and the others, just use a cable release (nice with gloves on in the winter, even in Pasadena.) or your finger to trip the shutter.

You will work out a reasonable solution, we all do.

Tom

[joecentric]

Thanks, Tom, for the info on your release cable. Mine measures 12" (~300 mm), so that pretty much indicates it's a 4x5 replacement part. Oh, well.

I get your drift, I think, regarding the issue with the inertia of triggering the body release. I'm going to try and figure out all the idiosyncrasies I can while the gettin's good.

Thanks again.


Cheers,
--joe.
_________________
just some guy, you know?

[45PSS]

So, if you go over to http://www.southbristolviews.com/ and click on the Graflex Manuals link and then download the Pacemaker Service Manual then you will have enough information to either solve the problem, adjust the malfunctioning sub system, or ask technical questions using Graflex Speak terms that few understand. The manual is based on the 4x5 camera. The manual shows 2 hangers, cable release, and a strip, cable release hanger, as part of the bellows so its a good bet the 2x3 is the same as a 4x5 with reguard to the setup. Extend the bellows fully and feel along the bottom of the bellows to find the stubs of the hangers that were removed.
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[C. Henry]

Joe;

On my 2 x 3 Speed Graphic the cable for the front shutter release runs through two loops on a pivoted wire underneath the bellows but is not attached to the bellows at all. As far as I know this is original on this camera, which I bought from the first owner almost fifty years ago.

C. Henry

[joecentric]

C.Henry - thanks for the comparison; I noticed last night that it did not look as if my Pacemaker had ever had any bellows tabs, so this seems right on.

45PSS - I have to take a good look at that manual (and the website, which is quite the resource), thanks a bunch. Regarding the perceived similarity between the 4x5 and 2x3 design, I have to say that there's really no immediate evidence that my camera ever had the tabs.

That pivoted wire with routing loops may be the only routing aid in the smaller bodies. My issue now is the longer cable I have in hand, which is too long by ~80-90 mm or so. That's probably easy to fix with some solder and a pair of diagonal cutters...but it's not urgent.

Thanks, all.


Cheers,
--joe.
_________________
just some guy, you know?