Graflex.org

OptarJones · Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Central NJ

Man, what a time I'm having trying to adjust the RF on my Century!

A few years ago I picked up a decent Century - this one was a little unusual in that it has a Voigtlander Color Skopar 105/3.5 - I didn't have a 2x3 roll film holder and I was messing around with other things - so I let it sit for a while. The RF was clearly off - I figured I'd get to it eventually. Well I found a late RH-10 and I decided to get the old girl going.

After many, many iterations of the process described Kalart Manual I was no closer to getting that thing right. Also the numbers for the long and short focus were WAY off any of the suggestions for similar lenses. This was very different from my experience my Speed 3x4. And I think I know why. The RF arm seems too long to engage the infinity setting properly on the track. At a certain point in the track's travel, the RF arm hits the rim of the adjustment cam and the tracking goes wacko.

Here's a little diagram I made.

http://flic.kr/p/8B1BG2

Anyone can shed any light on this one - it would be greatly appreciated.

Chris L.
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OptarJones

(Chris L.)

45PSS · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:19 pm Post subject:

Looking at your posted diagram is it possible that the RF arm is too far inward and needs to slide out toward the end of the shaft? The arm may have slipped on the shaft and not be at the correct starting point.

The setting numbers are general starting points, some lens working positions are totally different.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~lommen9/kalart/index.html
may shed some light on the subject.
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

OptarJones · Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Central NJ

I thought of that but I'm a little worried that if I loosen the RF arm on the shaft, it may be even harder to get it back right... Is there a more in-depth service manual that covers Kalart removal and installation? The anniversary service manual doesn't go there. The later manuals are for top RF. The Kalart manual doesn't go there...

I guess it can't get any worse and I might as well. Also, I think I need to make a new scale...

And many thanks for the link! Yep - that's what I need.
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OptarJones

(Chris L.)

tsgrimm · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Location: SE Michigan

O.J.,
The Graflex scale numbers for 105mm lenses are:
30882-7
30882-8
30882-9
30882-10
30882-11
Found on the back of the bed scale.

Sometimes they come up on eBay from a seller that knows. Otherwise you will have to ask the seller for the numbers.

45PSS · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 2:16 am Post subject:

This sites search function>key words=kalart rangefinder adjustment>check "search for all the terms" or you will get every post with any of the terms in it>then search=39 posts of which
http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=2454 has some pertinent information.
You can further refine any search to message tittle only, fourm, or category.
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

OptarJones · Joined: 08 Sep 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Central NJ

Thank you. gents. I will do my homework with the search function. And I will keep at it until it works...

And thank you for the scale numbers.
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OptarJones

(Chris L.)