The Graflex Graphic 35
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The background to this project is simple. I bought a Graphic 35 because I was interested in the focusing mechanism. It is nearly unique, as the photographer focuses by pressing a pair of buttons, which are the two ends of a rocking lever, which moves the lens in and out. Very quick once you are used to it, and a very unusual design solution. The only comparable camera I know is the Ricohmatic 44, in which the rocking lever moves up and down rather than in and out.
I didn't look too closely though, and on the camera I bought the two Bakelite buttons on the ends of the lever were broken off. And I live in England, where this is not a common camera.
I decided that the only way to get where I wanted to be, was to buy another camera as a source of parts. I was able to find an incomplete one on eBay USA that had already been mined for some components, but still contained what I needed. It cost more to get it here than to buy it, but that's life.
I didn't look too closely though, and on the camera I bought the two Bakelite buttons on the ends of the lever were broken off. And I live in England, where this is not a common camera.
I decided that the only way to get where I wanted to be, was to buy another camera as a source of parts. I was able to find an incomplete one on eBay USA that had already been mined for some components, but still contained what I needed. It cost more to get it here than to buy it, but that's life.
Getting into the camera is not quite like other cameras. I followed the instructions at http://pheugo.com/cameras/index.php?page=graphic35 which made it much easier than it would have been without help.
The idea then was just to lift out the focusing assembly from the damaged camera and drop in the replacement. But of course nothing is quite that easy! It turns out there were several minor variations in the design, even though externally the camera didn't change much. Specifically, they changed the way that the focusing lever engages with the lens - though fortunately in a way that didn't alter the surrounding structure. It means that as well as swapping the focusing lever, you need to swap the focus indicator dial.
The idea then was just to lift out the focusing assembly from the damaged camera and drop in the replacement. But of course nothing is quite that easy! It turns out there were several minor variations in the design, even though externally the camera didn't change much. Specifically, they changed the way that the focusing lever engages with the lens - though fortunately in a way that didn't alter the surrounding structure. It means that as well as swapping the focusing lever, you need to swap the focus indicator dial.
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The focus indicator wheel
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Version 1 - Hairspring
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Version 2 - Sector Gears
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Two methods of making the dial spin to follow when the focus is moved; why they changed I don't know, both seem to work. The driving mechanism is the same, but the arrangement of pins on the focusing lever is not, so you have to keep the lever together with its dial.
Below is a little gallery of interior pictures, in case you need to see how various parts go together.
Below is a little gallery of interior pictures, in case you need to see how various parts go together.
