Graflex.org

[michmagoo]

I have from the estate of my father, a Graflex XL. I used it heavily in the late 60s and early 70s. It has been sitting in case since his death in 1985. I have the body, two lenses, and a 120 back. I would like to have it checked out to see what possibly might need to be done to it. And I do not remember anything of its operation since for my projects I always used my Yashica TLR. Here are some questions maybe some of you can help with.

1. Who or where is someone that works on these?

2. Where can I get a manual for the camera? eBay?

3. Where can I find extra 120 backs?

4. How do I go about testing the shutter out? I have two lenses, so one of the may be good, bad, or both be in the same state.

5. I have located the button for lens removal, where is the shutter release button?

Hope some one can help. Thank you.

[t.r.sanford]

Copies of instruction manuals for the "XL" and many other Graflex cameras (among others) can be purchased from Craig Camera:

http://www.craigcamera.com/ib_graflex.htm

You might try eBay for backs and other accessories, or any of the dealers with large-format departments listed elsewhere on this site.

My guess is that an old-line camera repair facility could check out your instrument and perform any cleaning, lubrication and adjustment that might be needed. You run into trouble only if something is broken and must be replaced; parts are hard to come by.

[t.r.sanford]

...BTW, I think that the "XL" takes the same rollfilm (and sheetfilm magazine) accessories as the "Century" and other "Graflok"-back equipped 2¼x3¼ press cameras. This belief is subject to correction by those who actually have examined the back of an "XL" more closely than I have done.