Graflex.org

Polaski · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Philadelphia, PA

I ran the first roll of film through the Crown Graphic I picked up at a flea market. Good results. OK, so I left the dark slide in for one frame and got an honest-to-gosh DOUBLE EXPOSURE on another, but hey, it's been over 30 years since I've used a Graphic. The results show that the camera is definitely worth a bit of rehab,

Question 1: The ground glass is abysmally dark. There's a guy who sells 2x3 drop in replacements on eBay. Intuitively, any replacement would be an improvement on 50= year old glass. Is this so?

Question 2: I am intrigued with the square format. (Great recent results from a Voigtlander Bessa 66) I've read that for 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 film (graphic 23 back) the 101mm lens is normal. That's the setup I have (Singer RH10). But the normal lens for 2x2 rollback is listed as 80mm. Is this necessary? Can I simply mask the viewfinder/glass, and take what I get? I'd rather not get into changing lenses (and cams, etc.)

Any advice will be appreciated; this looks like it'll be a LOT of fun. I mean, I can't remember the last time I had a real double exposure!

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"Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm." -- Winston Churchill

[ This Message was edited by: Polaski on 2005-08-10 04:39 ]

[ This Message was edited by: Polaski on 2005-08-10 04:40 ]

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

Rangemaster · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 5:30 am Post subject:

First of all, most Graflex's I have found have been well worth a rehab, cause they are just fun cameras to take pictures with.

On you Ground Glass, Take it out and use hot water, some dawn dishwashing liquid and a scotch bright pad, and scrub it real good, alot of times, this will help greatly on brightening the ground glass up.

If your still not happy with it, we will be happy to make a new screen for you if you require.

Dave Parker

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Focus on the Picture, Not on the Glass.
Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass

RichS · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 5:47 am Post subject:

Would a 2x3 Crown have an Ektalite? If so, it _plastic_ and fragile! Do NOT use any type of scouring pad on that. On the GG is fine. If you have an Ektalite (freznel), just gently wash it in warm water & dish soap. I generaly use soft paper tissue to get into the grooves for nasty dirt. And make sure it's put back together correctly...

If all else fails, The Satin GG is just fantastic!

Rangemaster · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 5:54 am Post subject:

RichS · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 5:59 am Post subject:

If nothing else, I'm good at 'disasters'

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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"

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Polaski · Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Philadelphia, PA

Thanks guys. This is a great forum. I'll be very careful, which is my usual way of proceeding, unless I just charge in and start poking things. A step at a time. I first want to make sure that the misexposures on the first roll were my fault, not the rollback (RH-10. w/lever).

Then start a list. You are right about the camera -- these things are gems. Ought to be fun

_________________
"Success is going from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm." -- Winston Churchill