Focusing with a Crown Graphic 23

[Gerry M]

A question for those using a Crown/Speed Graphic 23, with roll film back. I wear glasses, and using the RF can be difficult, to say the least. My question is; for focusing at less than infinity, do you use the ground glass? At infinity,for me, the sports finder(?) is kind of makeshift, but doable. Just wondering how others handle this. Thanks for any input.
Gerry

 

[mgb74]

I too wear glasses and find it difficult to use the RF with a roll film back. I use the ground glass if at all possible (and most of the time), if not I zone focus using marks I put on the bed. For composition, I use the optical finder.

 

[Voyager13b]

Or, set the lens to f/11, and hyperfocal distance. Make a note of where the near focus limit is, and fire away between there and infinity. I did that with 4x5 Speed and Crown Graphic bodies back in the 80's (they were dirt cheap and plentiful then), and the larger format had less DOF/lens angle of view than the 23, so you should get even more in-focus range. Lots of PJ's back in the heyday of the Graphic cameras did the same thing in order to get a sharp image of breaking news that wouldn't wait for focusing. Give it a try.

 

[Curt]

On Busch C 23 it's setup for the 101 lens it came with so bed guide and Kalart are accurate. I can't change lenses and have them work so it's basically a one lens camera. I like the rangefinder and I wear bifocal glasses. The gg is also a great way to focus.