Graflex.org

dante · Joined: 28 Dec 2002 Posts: 1 Location: Detroit

Well... my Brooks Veriwide has seen better days, and I was thinking that it might be fun to remount the lens (with focusing helicoid - equipped with DOF scales) to a CG lens board on a Century Graphic.

I have surmised that the RF could not be adjusted to that focal length, but since the lens would have a scale-focus facility, I could just leave it for a 100mm lens. I also figure that I could add a second set of infinity stops behind the 100mm ones for the 47mm lens.

Does anyone know if the bed of the CG would get picked up by the lens (even if the bed were dropped), which has a 95 degree coverage?

Or am I on drugs in thinking any of this would work?

Thanks
Dante

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

We at the helpboard haven't gotten into drug testing so your secret is safe with us.

I don't have a Century but Marv Olsen aka Gooey Duck on ebay has 47mm mounted on a 4x5 Crown and was able to use it, granted with a 6x9 holder, so I think you'd be safe with a
Century.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2144 Location: New Jersey

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

Before I bought the pieces and put together a Brooks Veriwide 100, I had a 47mm f5.6 SA which I used on my Century, so I have some experience with this. The first problem I see with your proposition is I don't think you'll be able to focus the lens using the helical. I had mine mounted on a flat board. In use, after dropping the board, I recall the lens standard was attached BEHIND the joint in the bed. Anything further than that from the film plane wouldn't work. The board did not get in the way once dropped.

Also, there was a problem with the infinity stops. I talked to Graflex [they were still in business then] and they suggested mounting only ONE infinity stop on the BACKSIDE of the rail [on the far side from the rangefinder]. Normally, it was folded down. When used, I turned it up, then moved the lens standard back until it hit the stop.

Graflex did not make any focusing scales for this lens. With a little effort, you could probably make your own on a piece of tape applied to the bed. DOF should work in your favor.

It was usable, but I quickly decided it was too much trouble, so I assembled a Veriwide. Mine was hard to focus at f5.6. Your lens will be even harder. Go for the tape distance scale.

[ This Message was edited by: alecj on 2002-12-28 14:27 ]

Not MPP · Joined: 26 May 2002 Posts: 18 Location: I.O.W. England

[quote]
I've got a 35mm Apo Grandagon that works fine on a Crown 23 (with rise!), but I've just bought a 5X4 Crown, (it arrived minus inner focusing track!!), but it looks as though the 35mm will just about focus on infinity, but the bellows are completely compressed so no rise possible. I will try my 47mm when the new track arrives from the U.S., and let you know the results!

Not MPP · Joined: 26 May 2002 Posts: 18 Location: I.O.W. England

O.K. here we go! The 47mm 5.6 works a treat on the 5x4 Crown. You may need a centre filter to even out the exposure if you use 5x4, but with a RFH there should be no problems. The original bellows don't allow for any movement, but Camera Bellows in Birmingham are making me a new set that should even permit rise with the 35mm (£75.00)!!
Hope that answers the question.

[/quote]