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Who's good at fixing Graphics?

 
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Dan Fromm



Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2148
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Fri Jun 13, 2003 2:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Folks, I recently sent my 2x3 Pacemaker Speed and 4"/2 Taylor Hobson lens to Fred Lustig to have the camera overhauled and the RF set up for the lens. He did the work and sent my gear back to me. The lens is so big the camera can't be closed with it mounted, so it was packed in Rubbermaid food storage container.

Many things went wrong in transit and the gear arrived with the lens damaged and its board destroyed. The camera seems just fine, but I'm not sure.

The lens' diaphragm isn't right -- the lens clearly took several big hits -- and needs repaired. Its board is a total loss.

To say it again, the camera seems just fine. I can't find any dents. There is fresh abrasion on the metal strip (for attaching a flash, I think) on the outer side of the RF. The RF functions and gets the right distance per the scale. Since the lens can't be mounted up, I can't check whether RF and GG agree. When he shipped, Fred said they did.

Now, I know where to get boards and have them drilled. I know where to send the lens for repair.

But Fred's away and his family says they're not sure when he'll be back. They insist he won't be back in early July, as he'd told me when we discussed the first of the many things that went wrong after he shipped.

Please suggest where I might sent my camera to have it checked over for damage. I'd like to be sure it is as bad as it was when Fred shipped it.

Thanks,

Dan
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bertsaunders



Joined: 20 May 2001
Posts: 577
Location: Bakersfield California

PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2003 7:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dan, I can check it out for you! Not quite clear what you need except a check for functionality! If I knew what MM the lens is, I may have an equiv to check the RF/GG situation out for you too! The Grimes group is your best bet for fixing the lens!

Bert
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Dan Fromm



Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2148
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2003 11:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

On 2003-06-16 00:12, bertsaunders wrote:
Dan, I can check it out for you! Not quite clear what you need except a check for functionality! If I knew what MM the lens is, I may have an equiv to check the RF/GG situation out for you too! The Grimes group is your best bet for fixing the lens!

Bert
Thanks for the offer, Bert. I've checked function, the thing works. Put a 101 Ektar on it, and the scale agrees with the gg.

Can't check out the RF until the lens is repaired and back on board. FWIW, Fred said the lens actually was the marked focal length, 4".

About the lens, I think I'm going to send it to one of the lens repair shops that serves "Hollywood." Spoke with Adam at SKG on another matter last Friday, they have a solid month backlog. Good news, I think, we need them to prosper.

On another topic, I know that Graflex made focusing panels that require a fresnel lens in front of the GG and others that don't. Fred told me that the panel on my 2x3 Speed had a fresnel, also had a casting number and measurements that indicated it was not for fresnel, and took the fresnel out.

After I got the camera back, I compared its focusing panel with the one on my Century. The one on the Century has a fresnel AND the same casting number. Would you know the casting number for the 2x3 Pacemaker focusing panel that requires a fresnel?

Thanks again, regards,

Dan
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Jim23



Joined: 08 Sep 2001
Posts: 129
Location: US/Greater Cincinnati, Ohio

PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2003 1:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Regarding the casting number on focusing panels - on my 4x5's, the casting numbers are the same regardless if an Ektalite was installed or not (this may also be the case on the 2x3's). The difference is that there is a "molded in shim" that gets machined-down if an Ektalite is installed. Measure the depth of the focusing screen from the flat surface that contacts the film plane. If the depth is 4mm+, then the panel never had the shim machined down and it was *not* equipped for an Ektalite. If the depth is around 2mm or less, and there are not 1.5mm gaps in each corner, then the surface has been precision machined to accept an Ektalite. There is a procedure on how this was done (including tooling required on a vertical milling machine, etc.) in a very precise fashion.

Also, if you find out Fred's status, please let me know. I have a No. 3 Graphex shutter that I want to have him overhaul. I have never had problems with shipping damage. I generally double-box (box inside of box with layer of padding in each) everything that goes his way and he always returns the repaired items in the same materials. 30 years ago, I worked in a camera store and learned how to pack cameras and lenses to almost guarantee that no damage would happen (including putting items in sealed plastic bags to prevent water damage.).

Regards......
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Dan Fromm



Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2148
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2003 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

On 2003-06-16 06:14, Jim23 wrote:
Regarding the casting number on focusing panels - on my 4x5's, the casting numbers are the same regardless if an Ektalite was installed or not (this may also be the case on the 2x3's). The difference is that there is a "molded in shim" that gets machined-down if an Ektalite is installed. Measure the depth of the focusing screen from the flat surface that contacts the film plane. If the depth is 4mm+, then the panel never had the shim machined down and it was *not* equipped for an Ektalite. If the depth is around 2mm or less, and there are not 1.5mm gaps in each corner, then the surface has been precision machined to accept an Ektalite. There is a procedure on how this was done (including tooling required on a vertical milling machine, etc.) in a very precise fashion.

Also, if you find out Fred's status, please let me know. I have a No. 3 Graphex shutter that I want to have him overhaul. I have never had problems with shipping damage. I generally double-box (box inside of box with layer of padding in each) everything that goes his way and he always returns the repaired items in the same materials. 30 years ago, I worked in a camera store and learned how to pack cameras and lenses to almost guarantee that no damage would happen (including putting items in sealed plastic bags to prevent water damage.).

Regards......
Thanks, Jim. This evening I'll take the ggs out of the two panels to see what's underneath.

Cheers,

Dan
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alecj



Joined: 09 May 2001
Posts: 853
Location: Alabama

PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2003 4:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jim: From some dealings with Fred, I've discerned he does a lot of business in Europe [never have heard what it is - he is a rather private person] and works by the job, not the hour. It's sad to say Graflex work is an avocation for Fred, not his vocation.

Thus, he may not know when he'll be back, until he's back. To me, it's not ideal, but it's better than nothing.
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bertsaunders



Joined: 20 May 2001
Posts: 577
Location: Bakersfield California

PostPosted: Mon Jun 16, 2003 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fred vacations in Europe every year, believe he has kinfolk living in (Germany as I recall) Bert
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