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ldawson61062 · Joined: 16 Jul 2002 Posts: 5 Location: USA

The tube on the Kalart RF on my Mini Speed Graphic (2x3) has come off the body of the RF, and I can not tell you best to re-attach it. It does not aappear to be threaded, and there is a flat ground on one side at the body end of the tube. I am contemplating a judicious drop of superglue. Any suggestions?

mopar_guy · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:25 am Post subject:

Hi;
Usually the magnifying tube screws into the back side of the rangefinder. Perhaps the tube has broken and left a part screwed into the rangefinder.

Regards,
Dave
_________________
I guess that I could get a digital camera but it would be obsolete in a couple of years (three tops). Or I could use my 3x4 Anniversary Speed Graphic. Heck, it's been obsolete for 50 years. That's way better than digital.

C. Henry · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject:

You might try using a pencil eraser as a tool to see if a threaded part of the tube can be unscrewed from the rangefinder. That would be an easy way to check out Dave's suggestion.
Also if there is no glass near the front of the tube it indicates that the tube has broken off.

C. Henry

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

There should be something protruding from the back of the rangefinder around the hole. You don't say which rangefinder you have, some have a threaded socket, others have a rather shallow black ring around the hole.

If the hole doesn't have something around it, then the focus tube pulled something off the rangefinder.

Les
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"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

ldawson61062 · Joined: 16 Jul 2002 Posts: 5 Location: USA

Well thanks to your suggections, I can confirm that I have more than the viewer tube to deal with. It does unscrew from a unit which has a glass flat, not a lens. And it is the piece which holds the flat which is probably somehow swaged into the RF body and has been pulled out. So, I am back to square one regarding getting the piece which receives the viewer tube set back into the RF body.

Any suggestions will be welcomed.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

If it's the Kalart that has either a silver or black cover, then you can remove the cover figure out how to get the eyepiece so it lays flat. Keep it there with rubber bands, then add a drop of crazy glue to each side. Capillary attraction is your friend here.

If your RF doesn't have a cover (there are numbered scales on the front and back, then you do the same thing only you can't see what's happening on the inside.
_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

DHF845 · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 9:24 pm Post subject: fixing RF window

I've had this happen. Magni-view tube got bumped and pulled out the window it screws into.
I don't like cyanocrylate glue. it has no shear strength, doesn't last. Try a two part epoxy formulated for metals. Apply with a tooth-pick and exacto knife. Use a magnifier. work neatly. Let set for 48 hours or more for full cure.
This is a common problem, later model encircling flash brackets extended around back of RF. Small extension supports/protects/reinforces the magnifying/viewing tube where it screws to RF body.
Good Luck.
_________________
Got first Speed Graphic at 15 (1976).Other kids were using 35mm SLR's. I ran around with flashbulbs and sheet-film holders, I wanted to be Weegee (#2084).