Older Miniature Speed, ... Rangefinder adjustment .. with wide angle lens

[peter k.]

Does anyone know for sure .. that the older miniature speed rangefinder, (1939 ~ 1946) can be adjusted for a 90mm lens?
... In the manual it only shows approximate points of adjustment for a 101 mm lens or higher, not wider, in page 8 of the manual.
Thanks p.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Peter, I'm sorry that I can't answer your question. But your question raises others.

The normal focal length for 2x3 is 100 mm. Why do you think of a 90 mm lens, shortish normal on the format, as wide angle?

Not to be a complete idiot, but why can't you focus y'r 90 on the ground glass?

 

[peter k.]

The normal focal length for 2x3 is 100 mm.

Ha.. so that basically answers the question, and yes we can focus using the ground glass, and then the 90 mm by passes the rangefinder use. But its a PIA with such a small camera, as normally we use a tripod with the larger formats that we have when we need to focus using the ground glass.
So guess it looks like were going to have to experiment with some zoom magnifying glasses. yee Hawww..
... unless someone else comes up with a another idea.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Reading glasses, Peter, reading glasses.

But what will you gain from a 90?

 

[peter k.]

Until proven wrong, .. from actual using the 90mm, ... closer to the subject, with more of it in the negative.

 

[shutterfinger]

Does anyone know for sure .. that the older miniature speed rangefinder, (1939 ~ 1946) can be adjusted for a 90mm lens?

It depends on the lens and its focusing characteristics.
If your rangefinder is not super smooth fully disassemble it, clean it, and very lightly lube it on reassemble.
The rangefinder is likely a Type F.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thirteenthumbs/sets/72157651049315505/
https://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=6684

 

[peter k.]

The rangefinder is likely a Type F.

No its a more modern one, as in fig 4 of:
https://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalartmain/index.htm

 

[peter k.]

Reason why we ask, is that we have been messing around with an old baby speed 2 1/3 x 3 1/4, produced between 39, to 1946, and been trying to adjust the black rangefinder for a Wollensak Rapax 90mm 6.8 lens for the 'ell of it. Reason for this is that it's such a PIA in using the ground glass on such a small camera, and we already have a newer Grown Graphic 2x3 with an 101 mm lens on it with its rangefinder adjusted for it.

It seemed to adjust correctly once we tilted the mirror, and don't believe its hanging up and needing a lube.
So we got the infinity adjustment in sync with the 15 to 25 foot distances, but cannot bring it in line with the 4 to 8 foot distances, as the close up movable image is to high, even when the front indicator is adjusted all the way up to the shortest number on its scale.
Hmmm, so reason for this maybe is, .. when adjusting for infinity, ..we had to adjust and 'tilt' the bottom prism more clockwise, to be able to adjust the actuator arm, properly, .. to get the rangefinder split image high enough, .. to align up with each other @ infinity. We did this after several tries with the actuator arm and also the adjusting screw #10 shown on page 5 wouldn't do the job.
Soooooo... This may have caused the problem,we now have in not being able to adjust the rangefinder for a closer focal distance, but is also showing up now, higher, .. in adjusting for the closer focal distance.

Could this be the problem? Or is it just my adjustment procedure is wrong?

 

[shutterfinger]

Well, someone has retrofitted that Kalart to the camera. The type F, fig 1 or the one in figure 2 should be the factory installed. My Miniature Speed dates to 1940 as does the Type F, penciled on the inner plate of the rangefinder.
Is the rail actuator contact moveable? If so then reposition it so the prism/lower mirror makes infinity at a lower setting.
Otherwise set it to focus at the end of the range that matches the distances you will be using the most, infinity to 15 feet or 4 feet to 25 feet.

 

[peter k.]

Is the rail actuator contact moveable?

As in "On Miniature Model Speed Graphic Camera, the infinity adjustment is made by Loosening screw no. 10 " Last picture..
https://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalartmain/index.htm

 

[shutterfinger]

Lommen's web pages don't link, the link always goes back to the original Kalart page. He's my last resort for information.

 

[peter k.]

Hmmm ... interesting.. OK are you referring to this adjustment?

 

[shutterfinger]

Well......, you've got the Miniature Speed actuator and a later Kalart. Seems I had to play with mine to get it to work with a 101mm. I don't know what to suggest. The 90mm is focusing infinity further back than a 101mm or 105mm so the actuator has to move back also so it functions as it would with the longer lens. The plate that screw 10 holds has a screw that can be loosened and slide the actuator arm back. I would return the prism/mirror back to its original position and play with the actuator adjustments to get infinity correct then try the 25/15 foot and 8/4 foot settings.