Graflex.org

Springback · Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

I just got this aerial camera off eBay for the numerous 7" film spools it came with. I've never seen one before and was wondeing if anyone here knew the history of these graflex cameras? I assume they predate the 5" K-20.

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"A new philosophy generally means in practice the praise of some old vice"

Gandolf · Joined: 26 Dec 2001 Posts: 328 Location: middle earth

the book shows 50 were made in 1930. Nothing after.

Though

The Book doesn't show ANY K-20, K-25 cameras.

Springback · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 2:35 am Post subject:

Thanks! It is an interesting camera and I find aerial cameras in general to be pretty interesting pieces of equipment. This is the first K-10 I've come across.

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"A new philosophy generally means in practice the praise of some old vice"

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

There's a K-5 one ebay right now I 'spect it's a bit earlier.

Les

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disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

I have a K-25 on the line right now; it includes the case, finder, manual, roll of film and other accessories. It appears unused.

I am unfamiliar with these; any hints at to what a reasonable value would be?

BTW, there is a photo of what looks like a K-25 in use on page 348 of Graphic Graflex Photography, eight edition, on page 349. The aircraft appears to be a Curtiss SB2C.

[ This Message was edited by: disemjg on 2005-05-30 07:29 ]

Springback · Posted: Mon May 30, 2005 6:37 pm Post subject:

My thoughts on pricing these heavy old behemoths is that the price of the camera should at least equal the shipping and in no case should the shipping exceed the price of the camera.

What size film does your K-25 take?

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"A new philosophy generally means in practice the praise of some old vice"

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

I have it on the line; not bought yet. So I am unsure about what film size it takes. Truth to tell, I really do not care as I do not intend to use it, just play with it as a novelty additon to my Graflex gear.

I looked on Epay and did not find anything searching for "K-25" under cameras.

While my snap reaction is that such an "unusable" toy should never cost more than say a hundred bucks, and preferably less, that may not be realistic. The dealer wants 250 for this one, and thats a bunch of bucks for a "toy". You could buy a real camera like a user grade Pacemaker 45 for that much. On the other hand, this one seems to be a complete, unissued outfit with the appropriate accessories and case, all in new condition. I do not think you can find that every day, and it commands a premium for any collectable. I think it's about 75 above where it ought to be, but have never seen one sell, much less a new one.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2148 Location: New Jersey

disemjg · Joined: 10 Jan 2002 Posts: 474 Location: Washington, DC

I now have the K-25; it is an interesting and different piece. It does look like it takes 5 inch film.

My camera came with the optical finder and a hand grip. Looks like I am missing the mounting hardware for the optical finder; can anyone send me a photo of how it is mounted so I can fabricate a reasonable copy?

The hand grip is something of a puzzle; the only place that seems right for it to go is the depression on the left side of the cone, where there is a flat spot just the right size. The only problem is that there are no holes there. I would have thought that it would be field installable.