Graflex.org

luckypapaya · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Boulder, CO

Hi, I'm new to Graflex's, just got my first one last week

. I bought it at a second hand store and am having a difficult time figuring out the model and year. Any info would be really appreciated!
I think it might be a pre-anniversary model - it as the wire hoop viewfinder, a side handle, and a side mounted Kalart synchronized range finder. On the back of the rangefinder stamped vertically is the code 'E92349' - this is the only product code/serial number I can find. I believe it has a bed drop because there is a thumb area when I press in the camera moves and can drop off the track, I can also remove it from the back part of the track and slide it to the front, there are two small rulers on the front of the track. The back seems to be a Graphic spring back - there is a sheet of glass when I pop it up. The shutter is Compur F.Deckel-Munchen. The lens is Carl Zeiss Jena Tessar 1:4.5 f=13.5cm NR. 2073094

Okay I hope all that info helps! My next question has to do with film. The camera did not come with any kind of film back or film and I was just wondering what I should get.

Any and all info is appreciated. The sooner I know the model, the sooner I can figure out how to use it and with what kind of film!! Thanks so much!

Billy Canuck · Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 165 Location: Calgary AB Canada

You can find a manual for the Anniversary Graphics at Mike Butkus' website,
http://www.cameramanuals.org/prof_pdf/speed_graphic_anniversary.pdf
He asks for a $3 contribution, which is very reasonable.
If your camera is an earlier model, these instructions will still apply for the most part.
As for film -- what format is the camera? If it's 4x5, sheet film is readily available. 3-1/4x4-1/4 sheet film can be found in b&w at Film for Classics and Freestyle Photographic as can the 2-1/4x3-1/4 size (for the Miniature Speed Graphic).
Hope this helps.

luckypapaya · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Boulder, CO

Thanks, yah I actually already downloaded the manual from that website, found it a bit confusing though and thought knowing more about the model of the camera might help. As for the film size I'm not sure about that either, I've been looking at images and trying to figure it out but I don't know how to tell for sure.

Thanks for the response

Billy Canuck · Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 165 Location: Calgary AB Canada

To find the format of the camera, just measure the ground glass at the back!

luckypapaya · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Boulder, CO

of course I was making it much more difficult than it really is!! Measured the back and it's a 4x5, yay that's what I was hoping!

So can I get any 4x5 back and it will work? Another silly question, do I stick the film back behind the glass? It will be my first time working with medium format film...

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2146 Location: New Jersey

Lucky, to learn more about large format photography, you might want to go here http://www.largeformatphotography.info/ and read the FAQs. I think books are recommended there too. And don't forget to read the FAQs here.

Good luck, have fun,

Dan

tsgrimm · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Location: SE Michigan

http://www.butzi.net/articles/filmload.htm

Very nice instructions for loading sheet film are found here.

luckypapaya · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Boulder, CO

That's a great website thanks. Large format can be a bit intimidating as a newbie.

pv17vv · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject:

If front door is flat and is made in wood, you have a pre-anniversary.
If front door has a large bump and is made in metal, you have an anniversary.
If you have a graphic back, you will see two flat horizontal springs around glass assembly.
Gently pull backwards both "ears" at right and glass assembly will move too.
Then you can slide a film holder between camera and glass assembly.

luckypapaya · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Boulder, CO

Okay so I definitely have a pre-anniversary model with a Graphic back. Thank you for helping me figure that out. Do I have to use a special film holder or conversion back or can I just buy a normal 4x5 film holder?

pv17vv · Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject:

A normal 4x5 holder will be OK, new in plastic or old in wood, and holders for 9x12 cm pic size are OK too because they have the same outside dimensions.
Avoid wood holders with a slit along the edge, they are for Graflex backs only.

luckypapaya · Joined: 18 Jan 2009 Posts: 6 Location: Boulder, CO

so would these guys work?
http://cgi.ebay.com/11-4x5-film-holders-7-wood-1-metal-3-plastic_W0QQitemZ220346198928QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item220346198928&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318

and/or this

http://cgi.ebay.com/Graphic-4-x-5-type-4-film-holder-Used-Metal-and-wood_W0QQitemZ130236405171QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Camera_Accessories?_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

thank you!!!

Billy Canuck · Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 165 Location: Calgary AB Canada

All of those should work. (Good price on that lot of 10!)