Graflex.org

[babushka]

I had a speed graphic camera given to me and I just don't know how to open the front of the camera--please tell me how. Also how do the backs fit on the camera? Is there a free online camera manual?

[alecj]

Welcome to Graflex, Babushka. Boy, that name just rolls off the tongue.

To open your camera, look for a bump, either on the left side of the camera (the side with the leather handle) or on the front of the top (where the viewfinder is). Press that and the door should open. Pull it down until it locks. Unlock the front standard using the lever and pull it out until it hits the stops. Lock it there and start using it!

For your other questions, do a little reading on the main Graflex.org forum. You should find your answers there.

[vic valis]

To open the camera you should be able to find the hidden button either on top or on the side of the camera, depending on the make... it's beneath the leather and would appear as a zit on the surface. Push on the zit and it should release the front standard. As to using the camera back, it would depend on the type of back you have. What does it look like? If it has a spring back or a graflack back, there would be two prongs built into a back pannel extending maybe an inch out... big enough to pull back on with your finger. Give it a try; it should pull a pannel back away from the body of the camera enough to allow you to slip most standard sized film holders between the body and pannel. The tension of the spring is what keeps the film holder tight against the body, keeping the seal light-tight. If you try pulling back on the prongs and it does not give, you may have another type of back, and I'll let someone with more experience tell you how to determine what sort you have.

jeff

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