Kalart Rangefinder troubleshooting

[PaulMD]

I recently bought a 4x5 (graflok) Crown Graphic to try and get into large format. The rangefinder was too dim to use, so I replaced the beamsplitter. When I was trying to set the horizontal patch adjustment, however, I discovered that it wasn't working.

http://graflex.org/images/kalart-adjust/6.jpg

I followed the manual, loosened screw 12 then tried moving screw 9. The adjustment arm doesn't appear to have any effect, however. Neither turning screw 9 nor tightening screw 12 and moving the arm adjust the horizontal patch at all. The arm seems to be hanging loose.

This is all further complicated by the fact that the focusing panel arms were bent beyond usability by the previous owner - in fact, I was trying to clamp them back into shape when the glass broke. I've had little success grinding a new one and without one it's difficult to calibrate the RF properly.

One more problem: The eccentric infinity screw doesn't have enough throw to bring the patch into focus at infinity. The rangefinder doesn't seem to be adjusted properly for the lens as it's the stock 135mm f/4.7 Optar and the cams are way off the published settings, so it's possible I'm just missing something. Is there something I can do to fix this mess or am I just done at this point?

 

[Sirius Glass]

You should also post this on graflex.org to get repair information.

Steve

 

[keithwms]

If it were I, I'd not care to try to fix it and frankly it's a pretty sucky device to begin with. Very small and poorly placed and annoying to use. Unless you are planning on using a different lens than the usual semiwide press one then I'd suggest spending your time on getting used to scale focusing, using the markings on the bed. I found that technique to be as good as using my kalart. And I suspect that crown users of yore used scale focusing more than the damn kalarts!

My crown was my very first LF camera. After much ado I did get my kalart to work, though the previous owner had really effed it up. I was surprised to find that I could focus just as accurately by scale.... and without squinting through my glasses!