Graflex.org

spudman · Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 7 Location: wallkill,ny

To Anyone,

I have two graphics‘, a speed and a crown graphic. The crown has a SN of 989007. But interestingly enough I can’t locate the SN on the speed. Can anyone help me with these two questions. SN check on the crown to determine its history, and where do I find the SN on the speed.
Please advise.

Thank You

45PSS · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 4:27 am Post subject:

The Crown should have a date code that will be more accurate than any serial number list which suggests 1972.
SEE: http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=3321

What model Speed do you have?
Pre Anniversary, Anniversary- ink stamped on the bottom of the camera top.
Pacemaker Speed-serial number plate attached to the bed.
SEE: http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/graphic-models.html for identifing the various models.
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

spudman · Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 7 Location: wallkill,ny

For your information I have double and triple check both cameras. Here's what I came up. The crown only has the sn on the backside of the door of the camera when you open it. There are no other numbers or anything else that is visible without taking the camera apart. On the speed graphic that camera does not have a visible sn. It does have a metal label on the top of the body. That label has on one side “tension number” and on the other side it has “Curtain Aperture“. The speed camera comes with a 127 mm lens. SN of the lens is E021196, and at the end of this sn it has a very small circle with what appears to be an “L” written inside of the circle. Believe me if there was a visible sn number or anything else on the cameras I would have found it. The only thing I think of is if the information such as sn’s must be some where on the camera that requires me to dismantle the camera to get that information. I can’t think of any thing else right now. Your thoughts are welcomed.

Thank you,

Spudman.

45PSS · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 6:34 am Post subject:

Crown: According to the date code bulletins, run the rails out until the front most crossmember is clear of the bed and look at the bottom of the crossember. The date code consisting of a letter for the month, a number for the last digit of the year, a letter for the revision should be ink stamped there. The ink fades and is sometimes hard to see or read. Try different light sources and angles of lighting to see it. You may even need to use a moderate power magnifying glass. Then there is the case the ink stamper was out of ink or the new person at that assembly station did not know they were to stamp the bottom of the crossmember or some other reason there are so many inconsistencies with Graphic cameras.

A few years ago I compiled a list of all the serial numbers that a holder of the "sacred" serial number book had posted a response to date request. I posted that list on this site and a heading was dedicated to serial numbers and after a few months that heading was removed because one special holder of that scared book objected to the section as too many numbers were listed and it was starting to resemble the book. Several people copied the list and you are more than welcome to comb thru all the posts on this site and compile your own list if you so desire.

According to those previously identified numbers your Crown was made late 1971 or early 1972 and do not expect any more accurate dating unless you find the date code.

spudman · Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 7 Location: wallkill,ny

To 45PSS:

You are right the one camera does have a Kodak lens which I guess per your information confirms that its an Anniversary Speed Graphic-dating by you should be 1946? Am I right.

The other camera only has the sn to go by. So the best I can do there is your time line of the 7o’s. I hope this right too.

Also I could not find any ink stamping of any kind on either of the cameras.

But thanks for all of your help..

Thank you,

Spuddy Weygant

spudman · Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 7 Location: wallkill,ny

I took another fresh look at the crown grafphic camera and and the speed graphic. On the bottom of one of the rails of the Crown when fully extended is an ink stamping of"E1B".At least thats what it looks like. The top part of the "1" is a little abscure but I am pretty sure its a "1"Does this help you any in confirming the date of the crow. Like I said there are no such ink markings on the speed.

As always your thoughts are welcomed.

Thank you,

Spudman

45PSS · Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 9:19 pm Post subject:

Give yourself a gold star for finding the date code.
E1B=May 1971, second production revision. A supplier of a part possibly changed.

When checking the Anny, do not pull the front standard out of the case and look just above the top of the front standard with the camera upside down. The bellows may block the serial number and it should be more to the rangefinder side.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

spudman · Joined: 08 Apr 2010 Posts: 7 Location: wallkill,ny

45 PASS

I looked where you suggested and didn't find anything. I did however got the lens info off of the crown. It's a Graflex Optar 135 mm f /4.7 SN is G59889. I think this is all the info your gonna get w/o taking these cameras apart. But when I send it out to be tuned up I will ask them to try and date it for me. When that happens I'll let you know.

Thanks again,
Spudman

45PSS · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 2:12 am Post subject:

There is no serial number to manufacture date information available for Optar lens.

I speculate it is a Rodenstok as Wollensak was pretty much gone by '71 according to the information I have read by reliable sources.

Please read this post: http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=4666(link)
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.