Speed Graphic w/ top RF - Rangefinder issue

[Ibanez]

Hi all

Following on from my previous post, my restoration of my top mounted RF SG continues. The focal plane shutter is now working as I bought a replacement for it, which is great.

I am now turning my efforts to the rangefinder. It has a cam for a 127mm lens, and I am using a 135mm Xenar. Before I buy a cam for the 135mm, I just want to check that there aren't any other issues with the RF.

The RF is only accurate down to 50 feet or under. It appears that the rangefinder refuses to focus to infinity. When focusing via the GG, the lens focuses to infinity just fine, and disagrees with the RF. Is this caused by the wrong cam being installed? Or is it likely that the ball bearing/plunger system will need a clean? Or both?

I have access to the servicve manual, so I can clean the plunger system out myself. I trawled the graflex.org website and I can't find any similar issues being flagged their. I have tried to create an account but my account is yet to be activated (is the community dead there?)

I am tempted to just use the GG for focusing but it seems a shame to not fix the rangefinder, as the parralax correction works in the VF.

Saying that, I have a Kodak Medalist being overhauled and converted at the moment by Dan Daniel, so I may just sell the SG and call it a day....

 

[Zathras]

Hi,

If you do Facebook,

There's a group called Grafex Garage, run by a guy named Jerry Gordon Jr. Jerry works on Graphics and Graflexes.
If you decide to keep the Speed Graphic, he can help you get the proper cam for your camera, as well as advise you
on how to proceed. Since you have a 135mm lens you probably need a P6 cam. Hope this helps...

Mike

 

[BrianShaw]

This seems a rather common affliction; there’s a guy on another forum that has very similar problems. Get the right cam… that’s the best way to get started with your diagnostics. After that, adjusting the rangefinder is a much better initial option than messing with the balls-and-rods.

The Graflex site has been virtually dead for years. It still has a lot of good information but it basically self-serve… seems like nobody to help or answer questions anymore.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Use the information pages of Large Format Photography information www.largeformatphotography.info forum at www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/

 

[Besk]

The last thing I would do would to mess with the balls and rods. It is so easy to screw them up.
You may try to spray some graphite in the tube and the top. I shouldn't hurt anything but may help the balls and rods to move better.

 

[BrianShaw]

Not even that.