Graflex.org

Murray@uptowngallery.org · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 164 Location: Holland MI

Hello:

Just got a used Crown Graphic 45 with Xenar 135/4.7 in Synchro Compur P shutter.

I read the FAQ, had a photocopied manual and studied both pretty thoroughly along the camera.

I still have some questions.

1) A spring is missing or broken in the shutter - someone hooked a spring onto the cocking lever and onto one of the upper screws that holds the upper lens board sliding lock plate. So the shutter works, but speeds don't seem right, and ther is too much tension to get to 1/500, which still works after removing this 'external' spring. So there must be a separate or additional spring for 1/500 (I think I've read that for other cameras). The question - if it costs more to repair the shutter than replace or substitute it, are there other shutters with same thread and depth to mate with the Schneider Xenar lens elements?

2) The 'rail' or plate that the bellows move back and forth on have two steel pieces in position - I'll guess those are the infinity stops, but can't see those details online or in the manual copy. Where is 'normal' position for the bellow to be - wherever it needs to be to focus on the ground glass?

3) There appears to be a shorter 'rail' plate in the back but it flops around like its disconnected. Where does it go/what is it used for?

4) There appears to be a shutter release on the body but it's disconnected - there might be cable between the body shutter button and the shutter lever that's missing - there is a manual shutter cable there now. Can someone confirm this?

5) Graphic rangefinder on top does not seem to be hooked up to the moving parts - can someone tell how to figure this out?

Thank you

Murray

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

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

Murry, with that number of problems, I'd send that camera to Fred Lustig in Nevada. He's got ALL the parts to fix that camera and bring it back to life.

Nothing against Steve Grimes, but he just doesn't have the stock of Graphic parts that Fred does. And, Fred specializes in THESE cameras.

Just another opinion for you to ponder.

worldphoto · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 2:02 am Post subject:

Hi Murray
I have the same camera and the 40 page repair manual is on my web site as well as this site.... somewhere? go to http://www.worldphoto.us and click "to the bottom of the page". Click the Graflex directory and you should find all you need to better understand your problems.... then ship it to Fred.
Harry

45PSS · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2003 2:51 am Post subject:

These old beast are so simple you can fix them yourself, even if you have thirteen thumbs.

_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Murray@uptowngallery.org · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 164 Location: Holland MI

Thanks for helpful suggestions.

I suspected there was a 'body rail' but didn't know the name for it.

The manual copy I have doesn't have a very good view of any details.

Does anyone know of a site that has any illustrations of the inner parts, like maybe an exploded view?

I have seen many such things for other cameras like the Argus C-3 and hoped to find similar for CG.

Thanks

Murray

Murray@uptowngallery.org · Joined: 03 Apr 2002 Posts: 164 Location: Holland MI

Oops- just saw more replies, including an answer to my most recent question - never mind -

I am inclined to fix it myself, just not the Compur Shutter part - I know my limits.

Murray

45PSS · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2003 3:58 am Post subject:

I agree totally about the Compur shutter. If the version of the manual you have isn't clear enough then try this one:
http://hmartin.mysitespace.com/
or this one:
http://www.southbristolviews.com

(follow the graphic manual links)

Charles

_________________
While a picture may be worth a thousand words, a quality photograph is worth a million.

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2003-03-25 20:23 ]