Graflex.org

[victoria faith]

I have recently found a Graflex camera that belonged to my father. I have great memories of him using this camera and am now anxious to find out what model it is, can I still use it and if so what would it take for me to learn how.

Here is all I know so far. It remains in it's original Graflex grey case. Serial # is 709978. It is a black textured finish, pop out view finder in back, Kalart Synchronized rage finder mounted on side, original box contains Graflex RH/10 film pack (a roll film holder by all appearances) and also the Grafmatic film holder noting 23" graphic. There also appears to be two film rolls and all I see on them is Kodacolor 400 exposed C-41. Can not be sure if this film is from this camera. Also in the original Graflex case are the instruction sheets for the Graflex rapid advance roll film holder a small brown envelope noting "roll Holder mask" also noting Camera Size 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 22", again can only assume this goes with this camera. Also in the case is what appears to be an additional lens; Wollensak 8" f/5.6 raptar telephoto No.823453. A few other lens hoods and a shutter cock but that's about it. Can anyone tell me what the camera is and can it be serviced and used again. If so how do I learn how it work. vf

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victoria

[Jack5541]

Hi Victoria....
Welcome to the wonderful world of Graphics and to the best website on the World Wide Web!!! It sounds like you have a very usable kit in your possession.
Since you say that you have the serial# of the camera i'm assuming that you have already figured out how to get the camera open. There is a member on this Help message boards named Gandolf who can date the camera based on the serial#. Gandolf hasn't been here as frequently of late, so maybe another member named Les can help with this as well.
It sounds like you have a Mini (2x3) Graphic, unsure which model it could be based on your description. If you look at the front lens standard (at the front "working" end of the bellows) there should be a thin placard saying Speed Graphic, Crown Graphic or perhaps even Century Graphic. You likely have one of these. the RH-10 holder is for 120 roll film, still very much available today & is what you would likely be using the most of. the "10" in RH-10 indicated that you will get 10 exposures on a standard 12-exp roll of 120 film. The image size of each exposure on the negatives will be approx 2.25 x 2.75 inches or 6x7 centimeters. The Grafmatic uses so-called 2x3 sheet film, not roll film. the roll holder "mask" slips in the front of an optical viewfinder that should be mounted on the top of the camera. There are different masks for use with the camera, which mask you have or need depends upon the focal length of the lens and the film format size that you are using.
Not being able to see it has us at a disadvantage, but it sounds like a complete kit, well taken care of and in good condition. Hopefully the rangefinder is in good working order. When you look through it, can you see two faint circular images? If so, while looking through it, turn the focus knob at the outer end of the camera bed and see if these two circlular images move and maybe converge? If so, then the rangefinder is atleast workable, it might need adjustment to the primary lens focal length you will be primarily using, but at least it will be salvageable.
The other variable are the shutters that the lenses are in. Check the slow shutter speeds first and see if they sound accurate to the ear, i.e. see if 1 second sounds like one second. If the speeds seem off or sluggish a CLA (Clean, Lube, Adjust) may be in order.
Another important thing to remember is that when you go to close the camera, make sure that you rack the focus rails all the way back as far as they will go and unlock and push the front lens standard back into the body (box) of the camera as far as that will go as well, then double check to make sure that the rails are racked all the way back as far as they will go. All this should prevent you from breaking, bending or otherwise damaging the focusing rails.
Once you determine the model camera that you have, have a look at the main part of this website and find that model in the "Camera" section. Then look at some of the other info on the Speed Graphic FAQ section. All this stuff will serve as a great primer towards getting started and becoming familiar with the camera. There is a ton of great information available here, seemingly overwhelming at first, but all very informative. As you read along, come back here with any questions as they arise and folks can help out as you get started using the camera.
Good Luck.

P.S. I also should have mentioned that once you determine the model that you have, i.e. Speed, Crown or Century Graphic, then you can give a call to John Craig at http://www.craigcamera.com/ and for very short money he will be able to send you a very good reprint of the original user manual for whatever model camera that you have. This would be a very good investment.
--JACK.

[ This Message was edited by: Jack5541 on 2004-11-13 04:04 ]

[victoria faith]

This is great Jack,

Just as you suggested the words "Crown Graphic" appear above the lens of the camera. Many thanks for your response and I will now be able to research this further on the site. I also plan on requesting the manual reprint for further instruction. I am totaly excited and can not wait to get the camera back in excellent working condition. vf

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victoria

[David A. Goldfarb]

The camera is a great thing to have, but what might be an even more interesting find, at least for you personally, is those rolls of film. If they say "exposed" as you describe, that means he shot them, and maybe they have some interesting pictures on them. Fortunately, C-41 is ordinary color negative film, so it can still be processed. Take them to a professional lab, let them know about how old they are, and have them printed.

[Jack5541]

Hi Victoria,
That's great! Ok, when you call John Craig for a manual reprint make sure you tell him that you have a Pacemaker 2x3 Crown Graphic with a side-mounted Kalart Rangefinder.

FYI the Kalarts were only put on Graphics up to 1955 when Graflex slightly redesigned the cameras to include rangefinders on the TOP of the cameras, as opposed to Kalarts on the SIDE. So from this we can deduce that your camera was likely born between 1947-1955. Either Gandolf or Les can narrow this down based on serial number.

Read up on the models, the Speed Graphic FAQ, the features and the articles, all of which can be accessed from the main Graflex.Org homepage. Then there is this entire Help Board full of information and answers to almost every conceivable question.

Another poster had a serial# request that was very close to your number so maybe this will give you a closer approximation....

http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?topic=401&forum=1

So, late 1950 or early 1951 may not be too bad of an quick estimation.

[ This Message was edited by: Jack5541 on 2004-11-13 07:12 ]

[Gandolf]

Jack's right, except that top rangefinders were only on 4x5s Post '55 2x3 and 3x4 had Kalarts.

[troublemaker]

Hello,
I have a Tele-Raptar 8" lens for my 2x3 Graphics. It is not the sharpest tool in the shed, but it makes nice portraits and the occasional landscape. This is a longer lens for medium format (about 200mm), and I am not sure if it works with the Kalart rangefinders (they are adjustable but I have not tried it with this lens). I wonder if you do not have also a "normal" lens in your kit, something in the 101 - 105mm length? Suggest compare the RF focussing split image to that which you see on the Ground Glass and also compare the distance scale on the front drop bed next to the rails. The Rapax shutters the Raptars are mounted in are solid performers, but tend, as do many vintage shutters, to drag at the slower speeds. IF the one second thru 1/10th shutter speeds seem accurate or a littel slow, just compensate a bit with the aperture setting when testing the camera lens. Many old shutters drag at slow speeds, but work well at 1/25 - 1/200 etc...
Be careful cleaning the lens as the old coatings are soft. If you have lens cleaner solution, put it on the lens wipe (try not to use paper, get one of the new synthetic cloths) and not directly on the lens as the fluid can add to separation problems associated with Raptars and other older lenses. The Crown and Speed Graphics have a body release cable activated by a slide button below the Kalart. IF you are going to use yours, a bit of lubrication at the lens board end of it may help if it is not a smoothe trip.
Whether or not the Kalart is set for the Tele-Raptar, one can readily make exposures using the ground glass (best done on a tripod of course), and this is the most accurate focussing, all be it upside down. Normal lenses and boards are inexpensive for these cameras, and to whatever use you wish to put your father's Graphic, they can produce professional results with a littel practice. An old fashioned customer oriented camera shop may be of some assistance also. While these are certainly not point and shoot cameras, they are ten times more fun and far more satisfying whether on assignment or hobbying. A lot of people make fun of my vintage stuff, but they will never do what I do with a digital wizz bang...
Have fun,
Stephen

[victoria faith]

As I have continued to cull through more of my fathers stored items I have just located a small photo data book that is dated 1947 and notes his camera as Crown Graphic 23 sr.# 709978 and with a Kodak Ektar 101mm lens (on camera) ser.# 944. I also found an exposure meter noted as Weston Master II model # 735 ser. # 5524380. This meter looks to be in new condition.

I have also discovered anoter lens that looks as if he custom made it. The lens is labeled Apos 127mm f5.6 colorstigmat made in USA by ELGEET. The odd thing about this lens is that it is mounted on a square piece of aluminum measuring aprox 3 3/4 by 3 3/4. My dad was quite the handy crafter and I am pretty sure that this is something he custom crafted. I am not sure if it goes with the camera or if it is a remnant from his long ago dark room equipment. I see no way for it to fit the camera but what do I know?

Thanks to all for the very helpful information. I am on the way to the local professionals to get camera servicing information and that found film developed. What a fun mystery in the film and excellent new adventure with the camera. Thank you all. vf

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victoria

[glennfromwy]

Hi, Victoria ---
The Elgeet lens probably went with his enlarger. I would suspect it doesn't have a shutter. These lenses are not well known any more but are very good quality. The focal length is a little long for anything smaller than a 6X7 cm negative and will probably cover up to 4X5. Good find!

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Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

[Dan Fromm]