The improvements of the 1955 Pacemaker Crown & Speed Graphic.
Top-Mounted Graphic Range Finder
The "Pacemaker Top Mounted Rangefinder"
The successor of the first edition "Pacemaker side mounted Rangefinder"
Comparing to its predecessor, the new Pacemaker cameras Crown as well as the Speed, were equipped with new desirable features.
1. A graphic Rangefinder
Unlike the first edition Pacemaker cameras, the new Pacemakers were equiped with a top mounted Graphic rangefinder. The new designed rangefinder was mounted on top of the camera. The biggest advantage was that it is instantly adaptable to any of the 9 standard lenses of different focal lengths. This is simply accomplished by changing a small cam at the time the lens is being changed. No tools are needed to change the cam. Inside the camera house there is a hinged cover. When pulled down the cover, the desired cam can be inserted. Optical viewfinder with vertical and horizontal parallax correction.
2. Build in "Rangelite" in Graphic Rangefinder
Incorporated in the new Graphic Rangefinder is the "Rangelite" for night photography. The "Rangelite" projects two beams of light through the rangefinder windows upon the project. As the rangefinder is focused these two beams of light converge and when exact focus is reached the two spots of light are projected on the subject merge into a single spot. This device is especially useful by press photographers who do a good deal of flash-photography under difficult light circumstances. The Rangelite" is a self-contained unit and accepts two penlight batteries and has a 4,5 V lamp fitted. Unlike previous units of this type, it requires no outside source of current and can be used without any need for connecting it with a flashgun or external battery. Reinstalling the lamp can be done by unscrewing the two screws on top of the housing and lifting the house off the camera. The "|Rangelite" works accurately throughout the useful range of the lens coupled to the unit by pressing the red push-button on the side of the "Rangelite" while focusing.
3. Parallax Correction Optical View Finder.
Rear peep-sight used with flexible open-frame finder The peep sight has click stops for parallax correction.
4. New Flexible Open Frame Finder.
The steel open frame finder was replaced by a new type of flexible stainless steel and is designed to yield impact without being permanently deformed.
Pacemaker Graphic Speed and Crown
Side Mounted Kalart Rangefinder
To distinguish between the Side Mounted Kalart rangefinder and it's successor the Top Mounted Pacemaker it would be helpful to name them "First edition" and "Improved edition"
First edition 1947- 1955
The "Pacemaker Side Mounted Rangefinder" first edition
To start with, both editions Pacemaker Crown and Speed Graphic cameras were equiped with a build in release knob which could control the front as well as the focal plane shutter (Speed Graphic) . Further more: Metal front with stainless steel U support with metal light trapping. Precision made magnesium backs and focusing panels. Four sided metal folding focusing hood. Hinged Infinity stops allowing free forward movement of front standard. Build in focal plane flash synchronization. Sealed window shows shutter speeds. Tilting front. Stainless steel open sports frame finder with parallax adjustment. Interchangeable aluminium lens boards. Provision for use of focusing scales with wide angle lenses. Last but not least: As from 1947 the horizontal Graphic or Graflex back were changed into the International Graflok back. This international back became world wide standard in the next decennia for all 4x5 film cassettes. The optical view finder with parallax correction was replaced by an internal mirror in the new edition.