Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    135

    Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    I would like to send my Crown Graphic with top mounted rangefinder to a shop that will calibrate the rangefinder, infinity scale and infinity stops to match a Caltar II N 135/5.6 for handheld use. Is there a technician or shop in the US (or even Canada) that you can recommend for this kind of service?

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    756

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    Well, I'd start with Fred Lustig in Reno Nevada... If he's still repairing Graflex, He's the man in my book. He's done work on Super Graphics for me. He has enough NOS and Good used parts to do most anything. I'd bet Fred could field strip your Crown blindfolded and put it back together in less than 15 minutes.

    As I recall the story about Fred... he used to work for Graflex, and he purchased a bunch of inventory when they ceased production on the Graflex line. (not sure how correct that all is... everything is getting a little fuzzy... uhh,.... is that you Mable... Uh .... Wutt?... Dam, I thought she was gone??)

    Fred has had some health problems and has been down for a couple of years 4-5 years ago. I've had him do work as recent as 3 years ago. He was quick on the work he did for me. He is listed in the telephone listings for Reno... Fred Lustig.

    You may have to source a cam for the 135mm lens. Last time I talked with Fred, I can't remember if he told me he can cut cams... He did say he occasionally has a couple, but only coincidentally. I have seen references on the internet to patterns for cams for the Rangefinders on the Super Graphic. I don't know about the top rangefinder on the Crown. Once I discovered the extra movements on the Super Graphic, I never bought any of the older Graflex bodies.

    Here is an example of one such article about adjusting the top rangefinder, and illustrating the cam:

    http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/cams/index.html

    Just go to google or yahoo and search rangefinder cam patterns crown graphic or adjusting rangefinder crown graphic


    Good luck

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    182

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    I talked to Fred earlier this summer about cutting a cam for me. He says he'll do it, I just decided to go in a different direction.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula
    Posts
    5,808

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?


  5. #5

    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    139

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    SK Grimes can do just about anything that you can imagine. I've had them do a few routine things.

    http://www.skgrimes.com/

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Posts
    9,487

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    Thanks for that Steve Camera link. Some of the repair techs, like my friends at Camera Wiz or elsewhere, won't do Crown rangefinders because of a lack of parts, etc. even though they are excellent techs. Different strokes... And having owned a bunch a Graphic cameras, I HATE mucking with their rangefinders and have no clue how to set up a Kalhart successfully (I've read it all and tried it all too, freaking impossible!)

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles de Porciúncula
    Posts
    5,808

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    Frank... Steve Choi and his people (I think two of them) have always done great work for me. Not cheap, but quick and flawless quality.

  8. #8
    multiplex
    Join Date
    Feb 2001
    Location
    local
    Posts
    5,356

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    mike zack ( zack's camera repair )
    in pvd has a machine shop inhouse and also works on graphlex/graphic cameras.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    135

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    Thank you to everyone for your help. I will contact the repair technicians in a couple of months. Probably it's best to do that after the Christmas holidays.

    The inspiration for me was this youtube video in which the reviewer says that it is possible to upgrade the rangefinder to match a modern lens:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp2Qa_oaW8w

    I think that the Caltar II N 135/5.6 is the closest counterpart upgrade to the original Xenar 135/4.7. It's just as small and lightweight, with the advantage of multicoating and a 200 mm image circle.


    Teodor

  10. #10
    amac212's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    East Coast USA, 2 blocks down on the left
    Posts
    72

    Re: Is there a shop that can customize a Crown Graphic?

    Good suggestions already but I must add another: Ken Ruth at Bald Mountain. My Speed Graphic took a tumble during a night shoot this summer. He came highly recommended and I'd never heard of him prior. www.baldmtn.com/

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •