[rollei_list] Re: Buying Frustrations: WTB Rolleiflex 3.5 F or E etc.
- From: "Marvin Wallace" <Marvin0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 21:10:54 +0700
Richard,
A quick note to say thanks for a most informative, and I can ascertain
authorities reply to my question.
I really have a lot more to consider in buying a Mini Speed Graflex than I
had first anticipated, I wish I have spoken to you before I bought one DOH!
I love the idea of the negative size with the Mini Graflex, and the design
should make it every thing the excellent Baby Linhof could have been, but
never was. The lenses on the Baby Linhof are great together with the precise
feel of the camera, but the weight Oh! It makes the camera virtually
redundant; all but for the most specialized of applications. That is why I
am willing to try the Mini Graflex as a practical solution to the weight
quality ratio. The application I would use this set up for is street stuff,
in China.
I had a Mamiya 6 set up for street stuff, the camera and the lenses were
beautiful; however the prices Mamiya 6's were fetching I could but not
resist selling it.
I hated TLR until trying a Rollei Planar about 2 years ago, the results were
breathtaking, I hope to get similar results to the Rollei by mounting German
glass in the Mini Graflex but with its more flexible system.
Regards,
Marvin.
I assume you mean a Miniature Speed Graphic or a 2-1/4 x
3-1/4 Pacemaker Speed or Crown Graphic.
The problem with the Kalart rangefinder is finding one
with the appropriate actuating arm. These rangefinders came
in several versions with fittings for many cameras. The
Miniature S.G. uses a different coupling arrangement from
the later Pacemaker series. Check the Graflex.org web site
at http://www.graflex.org for illustrations of the various
cameras which will help you to identify each.
The rangefinder mechanism also varies in its mounting
fittings. Those made up to the introduction of the Pacemaker
series c.1947 mount using four ears on the main casting.
Those for the Pacemaker series have an adjustable bracket on
each end. The newer style can probably be used on older
cameras.
I have installation instructions for later Kalart RFs and
adjustment procedures for nearly all of the variations. I
wrote a long article on set up which is on the Graflex web
site. I need to re-write it because I've set up many of them
since and can make it rather clearer. I've also done mirror
replacements, which turn out not to be difficult. Kalart RFs
are very accurate when set up correctly. They are not
difficult to set up but the procedure can be tedious.
The best of the original lenses for these cameras are the
101mm, f/4.5 Kodak Ektar and the 105mm, f/3.7 Kodak Ektar.
The lattter is a Heliar type. Both have excellent color
correction and overall sharpness. Kodak Supermatic shutters
are very rugged and can generally be brought back to life.
The Apo-Lanthar would be an excellent lens but they are
enormously overpriced and IMO probably no better than the
f/3.7 Ektar. A Xenotar would also work well, but again, they
tend to be expensive.
Probably the best of these little cameras is the
Pacemaker Speed or Crown with a Graflok back on it. The last
and best of the roll adaptors, the lever wind ones made by
Singer, will not fit the older spring back even with the
spring adaptor. Earlier versions will fit. This is a matter
of clearance of the back of the camera.
I don't know of a certain source for rangefinders or
parts, they show up occasionally at local camera sales. Fred
Lustig may have the requisite parts but will want to do the
installation himself, maybe a good idea. He seems to have
recovered from his stroke of a few years ago. It might be
cheaper to find another S.G. that hasn't been mutilated by
removing the RF.
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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