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Mr500CM · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 6 Location: New York

I have a Crown Graphic with a top rangefinder. I need to clean and re-calibrate the rangefinder....I'd like to do this myself....but how do I do it?

Thanks,

Lance

[ This Message was edited by: Mr500CM on 2005-04-13 19:31 ]

RichS · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:56 am Post subject:

It's funny how this all works out sometimes...

If you're not in a big rush, I have a service manual for only the rangefinder you're talking about. It's due to go on my site with the rest of the manuals, but I haven't had the chance yet. Maybe I'll get to it tonight, or withing a few days...

Or, you could do a search on the forums and find more info. Or you could buy the manual from Craig Camera, or you could download the entire Crown/Speed service manual from my site. It's been so long since I looked at it... I think it's the TRF manual and it should have the rangefinder info in it... Or you could wait for this new manual

So, the long wait is over

The service manual for Top Rangefinders is now on the site. See:

http://www.southbristolviews.com

under Graflex Manuals...

[ This Message was edited by: richs on 2005-04-13 20:36 ]

Antonio Bunt · Joined: 02 Apr 2005 Posts: 4 Location: Mexico City, Mexico

I have the same rangefinder. Is your manual on-line yet? I don't even know how to use the thing! Thanks!

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

Antonio,
there is a little info on the Top RF here on the site, and check out Rich's site for more. I doubt that Kodak lens came with the Crown, and that it has the proper cam installed. Inside the top of the camera body housing there is a fold down metal cover over the cam linkage. Hold the camera in your lap face up and you should see what I mean. The cam rides in a slotted channel and is held in by a spring loaded push rod and has a follower that rides on top of it that turns the mirror on top inside the RF as you run the focussing rails in and out. The RF will only work if there is a cam installed, but it will work even if you have a different focal length lens. (be careful to note exactly how that cam is installed before you remove it, and it can take nimble fingers to get it back in) So maybe first see if you have moving split images by looking in the view hole on the back of the RF and see if you can determine the thing is working at all to begin with (be sure not to cover either of the two mirror windows on the top of the RF).
Also, is there a distance scale mounted down on the left hand side of the drop bed towards the front of the rails? IF so, see if the split images line up at the distances designated by that scale. Most that came on these cameras were for 135mm lenses, and you can determine that by removing the scale mounted on the outside and noting the numbers printed underneath (I have some of the numbers, and others have the rest, so we should be able to tell what you have there). When the infinity marks are lined up, the RF split images should line up an object about a half mile away. They get a littel inaccurate at close range, but are fairly on at 25, 50, and 100 ft. If the RF seems to be working by then, compare to focussing your lens on GG. Start by setting scale at infinity, and then adjust front standard to focus lens on GG while leaving rails untouched. then see if lens will focus on GG the same as RF. If not, read up on tht RF about removing the cam and see what focal lenght lens the one you have is for.
Stephen