Graflex.org

aoresteen · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 67 Location: Newnan, GA, USA

I want to set up a 2x3 Crown/Century with a 135mm (Optar of course!) and I have some questions:

1. Will the Karlat RF adjust to the 135mm lens?

2. What viewfiner do I use for 2.25 x 3.25 film size? Did Graflex make such a finder for the 2x3 cameras?

Thanks!

vitaly66 · Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 44 Location: tirana

Yes, you should be able to calibrate the Kalart to the 135mm lens with no problem. Although not exactly your lens, I have setup a 135mm Ysarex on a Century before. From my notes, and to the extent that it may at least get you in the ballpark for a starting point, the long scale (rear) was at 17.5, the short scale (front) was at 5.

As for the mask, I think either a #9 or #10 will be close enough.

Will you be doing some portraits? Would love to see the results of your setup!

45PSS · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 6:42 pm Post subject:

The optical finder mask chart in various degrees of completeness/incompleteness can be found on this site with a little digging but a complete one is on the last page of the RFH Guidebook at camera eccentric http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_13.html .
A #10 mask is indicated for the focal length/film format in question.

The sports finder offers a much better view than an optical finder and mask can easily be made for the sports finder.
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vitaly66 · Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 44 Location: tirana

Yes, and graflex.org also has the viewfinder mask information:

http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/viewfinder-masks.html

I happen to have both a #9 and #10 mask. The actual difference between them is negligible. As in, measured by a red pubic hair. My #9 has the "pointers" inside the frame, the #10 doesn't. The pointers inside the #9 well overlap the framing of the #10, so in practice -- and for me -- the #9 actually works better than the #10.

And if your friendly neighborhood Graflex store just happens to be fresh out of #10s, but you can find a #9, it might be good to know you can just as well go with the #9.

When composing with an optical viewfinder on the Graflex, one is only getting a rough approximation in any case. So you simply learn to compensate, leave a margin for error, and adjust to suit your own specific setup.

78ltd · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Texas

According to the 65/66 catalog, the Kalart is for 80mm to 150mm lenses used on a Century Graphic. At least for the Rangefinder with a serial number beginning with E.

aoresteen · Joined: 26 May 2004 Posts: 67 Location: Newnan, GA, USA

Thanks!

I ordered a #9 mask.