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trink5.0 · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Wisconsin

I'm looking for some help with changing the lens on my Crown Graphic. I'm taking the 140mm Ilex lens off, and replacing it with a 150mm Nikkor. What do I need to change on the camera for focusing purposes? I use the ground glass for focusing, so do I need to adjust the rangefinder? What do I need to do with the Infinity Stops? What is the best method for focusing at infinity? The ground glass is hard to judge at that distance. As you can probably tell I'm new at this large format arena. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

worldphoto · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 3:24 pm Post subject:

Based on your questions, I wouldn't be too quick to change anything. I would use the old lens to make sure the existing rangefinder and infinity stops are right for that lens (learning process!). Next, determine what rangefinder you have, side or top? Many of your questions have already been answered on other threads. Try several different searches and make printed copies of the answers. The rest will come.
I'm one that only uses the rangefinder on my Crown. If I go to the GG, then it's time for my view camera.
Harry

[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-05-04 08:30 ]

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

When using the ground glass to focus, be sure to use a loupe or some other magnifier. Especially at infinity where everything is small and hard to see.

_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

trink5.0 · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Wisconsin

The reason I am changing this lens is because the Ilex has some bad cleaning marks, and the shutter does not sound good. I would rather learn how to set the infinity stops and the range finder with this new lens than even bother with the current lens.
The camera has a side mounted Kalart rangefinder, and it looks like it has a top mounted finder as well. Maybe this top mount is not for range. Would I be better off using the rangefinder or the ground glass? How do I know where to set the Infinity stops? Would a magnifying glass work for a loupe?
Thanks for the responses, I'm trying to get as much accomplished as I can because I'm going out to Wyoming and Montana in 2 weeks and would love to use this camera.

RichS · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 7:46 pm Post subject:

If you have to ask what to do about the rangefinder, and only have two weeks, LEAVE IT ALONE! You might be able to follow the adjustment procedure and make it work with your new lens, and you may not. If you're lucky, you won't break anything. If you're unlucky, you'll wind up with a camera in pieces and not have the time to fix it...

Use the ground glass for focusing. I never use my rangefinder at all...

Don't worry about putting the new lens on as long as you have a lens board that fits. I hope you know how to do that?

Once you have the lens mounted, put the camera on a tripod, open the shutter, open the rear hood, move the front standard about 5 inches from the ground glass (but don't lock it), then look at the ground glass. You will be able to see where it focuses at infinity, if you're looking at something about a half mile away anyway

.

I think the recommendation is to start with the focusing rails all the way back as far as they will go, then move them forward about a 1/4 of an inch (maybe an eighth?). Then lock your front standard & lens at the point the infinity focus is sharp. At that point, mark the focusing rails with a pencil or marker. That's your infinity stop setting. It helps to either fold down or remove them before doing this...

If you think about it, I have a half dozen lenses for my Speed. I only have one set of infinity stops on the camera as do most users. When I put on a lens of a different focal length, I just move the lens out to an approximate position, then focus on the ground glass. The exact position doesn't matter unless your're using the range finder! And that will only work for one lens. Don't worry about it. Just mount the lens and go shoot. If you feel you need the infinity stops set, then set them as above. But re-read a few times because this is all just coming off the top of my head and not spelled out too clearly

So, mount the lens, focus it, shoot some pictures for experience with the camera & film, and enjoy!

And I would recommend you invest in a Toyo 3.6x loupe. Very inexpensive at B&H and a perfect fit for using with the focusing hood. An investment you won't regret!

_________________
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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"

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troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Ditto above comments,

The most important things out of the gate will be: getting the nikon mounted on your existing or another graphic lens board, checking the bellows for light leaks, and learning to load the film holder of choosing. If you have film holders, good bellows, and can get the lens mounted, you are pretty much ready to go if using a tripod. The loupe is a good idea for focussing, but one can focus reasonably well on the GG if not incorporating any front standard movements. Since I like to shoot f-16 to f-32 a lot, I have had nice results without carrying a lot of extra stuff. Some use a dark cloth, I use my wind parka or sweater of choice. I got the el'cheapo loupe for mountaneering, but since planning to use movements this summer, time for the good loupe. Start practicing loading film holders with some sheets of film, and if you intend to use a changing bag use it, you only have two weeks!
There are some places listed on the site here that may have the lens board you need, or can drill a blank for you if the one you have does not interchange. I have been able to unscrew all of my lenses' backing nuts with my fingers, and I believe this is as it should be, not too tight, just good and snug. Forget the infinity stops; just fold them down. I run the front standard out to where it focusses close enough. I have found that if I press the standard against the rails from the side, it squares itself to the rails. Try it with the standard out. Loosen the lock, and press the side with one thumb, and wiggle the standard and you will see that it tends to find its place very well. It is not necessarily perfect, but seems to work for now as I change lenses frequently between many Graphics.
Good luck,
stephen

[ This Message was edited by: troublemaker on 2004-05-04 15:23 ]

Rangemaster · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 12:07 am Post subject:

Well now, If I was you, I would forget the rangefinder for shooting here in Montana and Wyoming, both of these states are landscape paradise, Living here I regularly shoot the National parks with Crowns and Speeds, I have taken all of the rangefinders off my cameras and they are in a box, unless your doing macro work on flowers most of your shooting will be at infinity or real close, focusing on the Ground Glass is pretty easy, I found a great alternative to a special loupe for focusing, I use a finger print glass, works great for Ground glass and is great for proofing transparancies, as has been said, mounting a lens is pretty simple, most of my speeds and my view II has homemade lens boards, I made them out of hardboard and drilled them myself with a cheap hole saw on the drill. I would concentrate on learing your focusing and loading your film holders correctly, when I first started with large format, I spent quite a bit of time with a bad piece of film and a film holder learning how to do it correctly, just find a bad piece of film and practice with your eyes closed until it comes naturally, then into the bathroom at night with the door closed and all the lights out, and do it again until it comes naturally. Sometimes figuring out the puzzle pieces in the film box can be more complicated than actually loading the holder!

But like I and others said, unless your going to do journalistic type photography with your graphic, forget the rangefinder and have fun looking at the ground glass.

Dave

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Well said, and you get used to seeing the world upside down quite fast...

Rangemaster · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 12:47 am Post subject:

Upside down? is that what it is, My wife is always wondering why I am walking around with my head cocked to the side....Hmmmmmm

Dave

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

For landscapes, focusing isn't hard using the ground glass. If you are shooting a panoramic view with no specific suject, just focus on a point 30 to 50 feet away and stop down to f:22 or smaller. Everything from about 15 (or 25) feet to infinity will be in reasonably acceptable sharp focus. Focusing on infinity looses sharpness at anything nearer. Not good.
Handheld shots are not that difficult using this method, as you are not focusing on a point. If you are coming from Wisconsin, you are probably not going through far western Wyoming, but if you are, let me know if I can help you on your way through.

_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

trink5.0 · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Wisconsin

I want to say thanks to everyone who responded to my questions. I'm starting to feel a lot more comfortable with this camera. I have been using the camera with the current lens for about a month, so I'm used to loading film and getting used to using the ground glass. I think the loupe will help with the infinity focus.
I did find a lens board from Midwest Photo Exchange. I think I should be pretty set. I'm really looking forward to the Teton's, Yellowstone, and Glacier National.
Thanks again for all the help.

RichS · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 2:25 pm Post subject:

Rangemaster · Posted: Wed May 05, 2004 4:45 pm Post subject:

Hey, when you going to be in Yellowstone, I will be in the park over Memorial day weekend taking pictures and visiting with friends, let me know if your around perhaps we can meet.

Dave

trink5.0 · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Wisconsin

I will actually be in Yellowstone at the end of May. I will be speding my last few days up in Glacier National Park. I have never been to Montana before, looking forward to it.

I do have some questions about film. Where do you guys buy your sheet film? What kind do you prefer for B&W and Color?

Thanks again

Rangemaster · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 12:10 am Post subject:

Cool,

I will be in Yellowstone the last weekend of May 28th - 31st and I only live about 20 miles from Glacier.

If and when I shoot B&W, which is very rarely I usually shoot Tri-x or T-Max and when I am shooting color I always shoot transparancy film either E100VS or Velvia 50 there is a store here that I used to work for that can order you just about anything you would want that is still available for pretty reasonable prices, their name is Photo Video Plus, 406-752-6708.

If I can help further, just let me know

Dave