Kalart side-mounted rangefinder on my speed?

[EASmithV]

Well, I've been wanting to do some handheld shooting with my Pacemaker, and I want to get a rangefinder. However, I was looking at a picture of the Kalart side mounted rangefinder I want, and I don't think it will fit my camera... If you look at the pictures, the rod that attaches the cam to the focusing rails seems to require a hold in the side of the camera that I don't have.

Happy to provide additional photos at your request.

 

[Venchka]

That looks exactly like my 1953 Pacemaker Speed Graphic. I have the side mounted rangefinder and it works fine. I'll take it out tonight and do a bit of looking around.
Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to buy a body with a working rangefinder?

 

[BradS]

looking at the camera from the front, open it up and look inside the box in the upper left hand side - where the RF would be mounted. There should be a hole in the box that is covered by the leather.

 

[Fotoguy20d]

Do you have a 2x3 or 4x5 (or 3x4 for that matter)? Each one needs a different arm. Make sure you get the right one. The one you show is for a 4x5.

As has already been said, the hole should be there. I don't think I've ever seen a Pacemaker without a Kalart (except the top RF models). I own a 1st year Century Graphic that has no Kalart - the hole is in the body but covered by the "leather" (originally, the Kalart was an option on the Century)

Dan

 

[EASmithV]

That looks exactly like my 1953 Pacemaker Speed Graphic. I have the side mounted rangefinder and it works fine. I'll take it out tonight and do a bit of looking around.
Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to buy a body with a working rangefinder?

Yes, I can see a hole on the inside covered up by the outside. Is it rare to have a SG without a rangefinder? I don't want to destroy something unique... And I don't like putting holes in perfect covering... I found a rangefinder for sale for like 25 bucks... If you know where I can buy a SG body with a rangefinder for 25 bucks, PM me so I can pay you =D

 

[Fotoguy20d]

Is it rare to have a SG without a rangefinder? I don't want to destroy something unique... And I don't like putting holes in perfect covering... I found a rangefinder for sale for like 25 bucks... If you know where I can buy a SG body with a rangefinder for 25 bucks, PM me so I can pay you =D

I'd say it's unusual but I doubt it makes it especially valuable (particularly as a user camera). If the covering is really that perfect (and the rest of the camera to match), you might want to display it and find a more battered one to use. I use my RF-less Century as a field camera - I took off the viewfinder as well so it's as small as a 2x3 Graphic can get and it's light.

$25 for a Kalart is probably the high end of what I'd be willing to pay for one and it had better be nice and bright - I have 2 or 3 lying around (and one which is NIB) and that's about what I'd want for one but I'm not sure I'd get it. Is the photo you attached the one you'll get? There were several variations on mounting for them and I think this is one of the newer ones (and better).

Dan