Speed Graphic/ Kalart Cam Question

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Spentax

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Hello All. I've got C-3 Anniversary 4x5 Speed graphic. I'm looking for the cam that connects the Kalart rangefinder to the contact eccentric screw on the rail bed. I've seen the manual and adjustment guidance, but I'm left with two unanswered questions. For those in the know, could you tell me:

1) Which cam should I be looking for given that I have the 6 3/8 (162mm) Kodak Anastigmat (No. 32)? The old Graflex forum leads me to believe that it might be a "P13" but to be honest that's an inference and I would rather be sure. I've not handled one of these cams before and don't even know if they are labelled this way.

2) Who has one, where can get one, etc? I've seen one on Ebay from Pacific Rim, but without anything like specific information about its particular size, model number. It says its is for the Pacemaker. I imagine it would also work for the Anniversary (were it the right size), but here too it would be useful to be sure. Thanks!
 

shutterfinger

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Kalart and Hugo Meyer are side mounted rangefinders and do not use cams.
Graphic top mounted rangefinders introduced with the Pacemaker Graphics in 1947 use cams. https://graflex.org/
The operating arm for a Kalart rangefinder on an Anniversary Speed Graphic attaches to the rangefinder shaft and arcs out to the eccentric on the bed. Kalart rangefinder adjustment http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kalart_1.html
This ebay listing shows a complete rangefinder http://www.ebay.com/itm/KALART-sync...380762?hash=item3d2c6d87da:g:9nMAAOSwiONYO6Wg
The same rangefinder fits 2x3, 3x4, and 4x5 cameras but the actuating arm is different for each format.
 
OP
OP

Spentax

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Joined
Mar 27, 2017
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Kalart and Hugo Meyer are side mounted rangefinders and do not use cams.
Graphic top mounted rangefinders introduced with the Pacemaker Graphics in 1947 use cams. https://graflex.org/
The operating arm for a Kalart rangefinder on an Anniversary Speed Graphic attaches to the rangefinder shaft and arcs out to the eccentric on the bed. Kalart rangefinder adjustment http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/kalart_1.html
This ebay listing shows a complete rangefinder http://www.ebay.com/itm/KALART-sync...380762?hash=item3d2c6d87da:g:9nMAAOSwiONYO6Wg
The same rangefinder fits 2x3, 3x4, and 4x5 cameras but the actuating arm is different for each format.

Thanks much shutterfinger. That makes things quite a bit clearer. When your camera lacks a part, it is often hard to know exactly what you are missing. Those manuals represent the entire assembly in a schematic fashion, so they good for those who already have all the necessary parts to perform adjustments, but perhaps less good for those of us have to fill in the gaps by finding parts.

I'm glad I don't have to go looking for cams. I leapt to that assumption because I imagined that the link between the rangefinder shaft and the eccentric screw ought to change when you start working with differing lenses. Now that I know that connection stays constant (At least on the Anniversary and side rangefinder Pacemakers, right?) I should probably conclude that the necessary changes are performed when you place the infinity stop in a new position suited to one's specific lens. Having only shot with 35mm and digital, I'm still having to adjust to the variables that come with using a bellows.

Thanks again for the help. No good deed goes unpunished. Could you possibly tell me if this auction is selling what I need for my 4x5, or is this "cam follower" as the seller describes it for the top mounted rangefinder? http://www.ebay.com/itm/382005137848?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
 

shutterfinger

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Yes its the correct arm but its missing the set screw that secures it to the rangefinder shaft so ask them about it before purchasing. Its a 5-40, the origonal is 7/32 long with a 3/16 hex head but a 5-40 set screw 1/4 inch long should work.
The shaft of the rangefinder has to be turned inward and the arm attached to the shaft and the set screw tightned with the arm just before touching the camera body with the rails fully retracted into the body. Late versions of the rangefinder have flats on the end of the shaft, earlier versions do not. This is not an easy task. https://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalart main page/index.html (new approach to asjusting) has an approach to doing this. In step 2 he states to set the brass cam to 9mm from the edge of the rangefnder case. I have found this to be in error as some rangefinders require 9.5mm for the mirror plate to seat properly and others to need 10mm clearance to seat properly.
I strongly suggest you disasemble yours, clean all parts, then put a trace amount of light machine oil on the movements. The movements should seem to float with light pressure applied. A sluggish rangefinder is a PIA to try to adjust.
 
OP
OP

Spentax

Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
3
Location
US
Format
35mm
Yes its the correct arm but its missing the set screw that secures it to the rangefinder shaft so ask them about it before purchasing. Its a 5-40, the origonal is 7/32 long with a 3/16 hex head but a 5-40 set screw 1/4 inch long should work.
The shaft of the rangefinder has to be turned inward and the arm attached to the shaft and the set screw tightned with the arm just before touching the camera body with the rails fully retracted into the body. Late versions of the rangefinder have flats on the end of the shaft, earlier versions do not. This is not an easy task. https://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/kalart main page/index.html (new approach to asjusting) has an approach to doing this. In step 2 he states to set the brass cam to 9mm from the edge of the rangefnder case. I have found this to be in error as some rangefinders require 9.5mm for the mirror plate to seat properly and others to need 10mm clearance to seat properly.
I strongly suggest you disasemble yours, clean all parts, then put a trace amount of light machine oil on the movements. The movements should seem to float with light pressure applied. A sluggish rangefinder is a PIA to try to adjust.


Fantastic. Thanks for the help.
 
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