Posted by Henry on March 23, 2001 at 09:27:50:
In Reply to: How to remove viewfinder wire frame posted by Dan Fromm on March 23, 2001 at 06:22:43:: The viewfinder wire frame that sticks out of my
: Century Graphic's front standard limits rise with my
: 65/6.8. I know the frame, which I never used, can be
: removed, but don't know how to remove it.
: Directions, please?
Dan,
It's a fairly intuitive procedure---I did it to my Century Graphic,
but that was a while back and I only did it one time, so I don't
feel totally secure about giving directions, but I'll try anyway.
However, you can get a Century Graphic Service Instructions and
Parts Catalog reprint from Finger Lakes Photo Books
(www.photobooksonline.com/books/reprintslist.html). It's their item
#80003 and sells for $15, and contains a step-by-step guide (with
diagrams) for everything you will ever need to know about servicing
your Century (except Graphex shutters---that's in another book,
#90026, which I also recommend, also $15 from the same source). I
will say this much re: teardown: you will need to remove the two
knurled knobs on either side of the front standard that control
rise, as well as the lensboard locks (remove four screws, two top
and two bottom), which frees the bellows/frame assembly. (The
knurled knobs are staked, i.e., you'll encounter a resistance at
the end of their travel, which you will have to force your way
past---just keep turning!) Now by spreading gently the frame guides
you can remove the two flat springs and the two sliding plates with
the short threaded shafts (where the knurled knobs attach), and
remove the wire frame finder. Reassemble in reverse order (omitting
the flat springs). Keep track of the washers as you go! Now you
will have plenty of front rise for the 65mm, but you will also
encounter vignetting if you go too far. You might want to determine
the limit of rise vs. coverage and mark that point on the front
standard with a marking pen. Good luck!