Graflex.org Forum Index Graflex.org
Get help with your Graflex questions here
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

New to Graflex, Graflex 3A

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Graflex.org Forum Index -> Other Graflex Camera Help
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
larsenf



Joined: 30 Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:44 am    Post subject: New to Graflex, Graflex 3A Reply with quote

Hello, I just won this ebay auction. The bellows and shutter curtain looked good and it was cheap so i bit the bullet. What can you tell me about this particular camera from the ebay images? I could not find the lens listed on any of the graflex sites linked in the many forums posts about the 3A. I plan on using 120 film in this camera mostly save for the rare roll of 122 i might come across.[/url]
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Dan Fromm



Joined: 14 May 2001
Posts: 2118
Location: New Jersey

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The lens is a 180/4.5 Congo (tessar type) made by Yamasaki Optical. Yamasaki's home page (http://www.cosmonet.org/congo/index_e.html) says they've been in business since 1924 so the lens might be contemporary with the camera.

Odds are that it is a retrofit. If you want to know when the lens was made, ask Yamasaki.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Wed Jan 30, 2013 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

see the reflex help section as the 3A is a Graflex Reflex camera. it will have to be modified to use 120 film.

What is the serial number? it should be on the focus bed.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
larsenf



Joined: 30 Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 1:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'll tell you the serial when I get the camera. Thanks for the help. Any idea what I can do about this missing viewfinder hood?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
larsenf



Joined: 30 Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 12:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

serial is 98784. cant figure out how to make the shutter open. i think the shutter aperture knob A is damaged
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
larsenf



Joined: 30 Jan 2013
Posts: 4
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

larsenf wrote:
serial is 98784. cant figure out how to make the shutter open. i think the shutter aperture knob A is damaged

I was able to remove the winding assembly. The camera had been dropped on its side and the A knob and gears were pushing against the arms actuated by lever M so it couldnt turn. I was able to bend it all back into alignment but the shutter aperture gear is off time. I'm also concerned the spring is too weak or off and I won't be getting accurate shutter speeds. At tension 1 it wont open T and it barely opens at 6.

I think I'll need to buy another one to salvage parts from.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The serial number is listed in a batch of 1000 but date records were not kept at that time. Best guess is 1916-1919.

If you have been able to remove the wind plate then you are half way there on getting the shutter to work.

http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=6131
will tell you most if not all you need to know.
Remove the curtain from the camera, remove the dried out grease from the curtain roller end bushings buried in the left side of the body, apply fresh grease, reassemble and adjust.

You will probably have to make a new view hood as most 3A's go for $150 to $250 in repairable condition.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
MountainAir



Joined: 10 Apr 2018
Posts: 1

PostPosted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 2:13 pm    Post subject: Identifying exact model and serial number Reply with quote

Hello,

I have a couple of old family cameras that I'm looking to sell. I know very little about cameras, so for starters I'm trying to identify the exact model and serial number. There's a small metal label on the curtain that indicates 3.A. Graflex, followed by a series of rows and columns. At the very lower-left corner of the label is a five digit number (13472) that I'm wondering whether it's the serial number.

Can someone help me identify the exact model and serial number for the camera I have on hand?

Thanks.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Tue Apr 10, 2018 6:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's the shutter speed table. The serial number is on the rear left corner of the lens door when open and looking into the camera.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Graflex.org Forum Index -> Other Graflex Camera Help All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group