So yesterday I was gifted 2 Graflex. One Speed and one Crown Graphic... serial numbers are as follows
Speed Graphic 895253
Crown Graphic 990403
would love to know the approximate years on those
My next question is about replacing the carriage rails on the Crown. Looks like someone tried to close it before pulling the front standard in all the way, rails are bent and the hinge is broken. From what I can find in the service manual and by looking, is it as simple as unscrewing the rail guides on top and swapping out the rails?
Serial number info
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Re: Serial number info
Sorry,
I don't keep up with things...
Speed Graphic 895253
This is shown as a batch started in 02/26/1954. BUT it is noted as "Crown"?
Crown Graphic 990403
This is unknown. It goes to a "new book" in Oct 1963. Noone can help here as the book was not saved.
As for the rails, you've got it right as I remember.
I don't keep up with things...
Speed Graphic 895253
This is shown as a batch started in 02/26/1954. BUT it is noted as "Crown"?
Crown Graphic 990403
This is unknown. It goes to a "new book" in Oct 1963. Noone can help here as the book was not saved.
As for the rails, you've got it right as I remember.
Re: Serial number info
Hi, I am new to these boards. This is my first login and post. Let me know if make any faux-pas 
I just acquired an Graflex R.B Super D 3x4 camera at an estate sale. The serial # is 457692. What is the manufacturer year??
Some history on me and the camera:
The family of the owner said he was took pictures for President Eisenhower.
So this camera "may" have taken some famous pics of Eisenhower..??? (maybe)
I have dabbled with 35mm cameras and currently use a Canon 7D Mark II as my primary camera.
I have never owned a medium format or large format camera. I sold my uncle's Hasselblad 500C for my aunt a couple years ago.
I was intrigued by that camera, which sold for $1650 and was immaculate. It was the camera used by NASA on the Apollo moon photos for Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and other astronauts. That camera got me interested in medium to large format.
I have always loved the Graflex press cameras of the 1940's-50's and have been on the lookout for one and for the Star Wars Lightsaber, Graflex 3-cell flash gun.
When I saw the flashgun listed locally at an estate sale, I bought the lot. It included the flashgun, the R.B. Super D, a Brownie Six-20 camera as well as a Nikon EM 35mm. From the online estate auction, the auctioneer only posted 4 pics of the camera, unopened and from 1 angle. It looked like a good risk though. It was real dusty, but looked to be in great shape. The flashgun is like new. The Graflex camera is also in excellent shape. I cleaned it up a bit and it looks amazing.
I bought a roll of Kodak Portra 160 color film for it from Film Photography Project in New Your. The film should arrive later this week. I can't wait to test it out. Everything on the camera appears to work like new. I watched a few videos on YouTube to see how to operate it and load the film. It is actually very simple to operate. I wasn't sure initially how to get the right exposure. A friend who shoots with medium format said all I need is to download a light meter app to my phone. Then frame the shot that I plan to take with my phone to get the proper shutter setting for my film speed and selected aperture. It works great. I can't wait to try it out with a round of family photos. I have a few questions for you experts.
Any suggestions on settings, framing, composition for shooting close up portraits? It is easy to focus through the hood viewfinder. I have a Manfrotto tripod that I plan to use. I noticed that the previous owner put a piece of black paper in the viewfinder that has the 4 corners blocked out about 1/2 inch. I assume that is to denote where the 2x3 120 film will fill the frame of the 3x4 back? Is that correct?
Also, with respect to the dark slide, when do I need to use that and when is it not necessary?
If I am shooting 8 shots in a row for a portrait photoshoot of my family members, do I need to put it back in before advancing my film between shots. I don't think I do, but want to make sure. It appears that the mirror closes down after each shot in the camera. My camera has A,B,C,D shutter speed settings as well as "T" and "O". I understand how A,B,C,D are to select the proper film curtain slit/shutter speed in conjunction with the High and Low (H&L) tension. What are the "T" and "O"? I notice when I have it on "T", that it leaves the curtain wide open after the shot. I think I just need to make sure not to put it on T or O and the curtain will close after the shot so I won't need to worry about double exposing. Right? Also, I notice that the camera won't let you wind until you drop down the mirror. So winding the curtain slits won't expose it. So, I "think" I can keep shooting and rewinding between shots with no dark slide in, correct??
Any other tips for this camera operation? Thanks! I know this is long. haha!
Graflex R.B. Super D
Graflex 3-cell Lightsaber flashgun
I just acquired an Graflex R.B Super D 3x4 camera at an estate sale. The serial # is 457692. What is the manufacturer year??
Some history on me and the camera:
The family of the owner said he was took pictures for President Eisenhower.
So this camera "may" have taken some famous pics of Eisenhower..??? (maybe)
I have dabbled with 35mm cameras and currently use a Canon 7D Mark II as my primary camera.
I have never owned a medium format or large format camera. I sold my uncle's Hasselblad 500C for my aunt a couple years ago.
I was intrigued by that camera, which sold for $1650 and was immaculate. It was the camera used by NASA on the Apollo moon photos for Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and other astronauts. That camera got me interested in medium to large format.
I have always loved the Graflex press cameras of the 1940's-50's and have been on the lookout for one and for the Star Wars Lightsaber, Graflex 3-cell flash gun.
When I saw the flashgun listed locally at an estate sale, I bought the lot. It included the flashgun, the R.B. Super D, a Brownie Six-20 camera as well as a Nikon EM 35mm. From the online estate auction, the auctioneer only posted 4 pics of the camera, unopened and from 1 angle. It looked like a good risk though. It was real dusty, but looked to be in great shape. The flashgun is like new. The Graflex camera is also in excellent shape. I cleaned it up a bit and it looks amazing.
I bought a roll of Kodak Portra 160 color film for it from Film Photography Project in New Your. The film should arrive later this week. I can't wait to test it out. Everything on the camera appears to work like new. I watched a few videos on YouTube to see how to operate it and load the film. It is actually very simple to operate. I wasn't sure initially how to get the right exposure. A friend who shoots with medium format said all I need is to download a light meter app to my phone. Then frame the shot that I plan to take with my phone to get the proper shutter setting for my film speed and selected aperture. It works great. I can't wait to try it out with a round of family photos. I have a few questions for you experts.
Any suggestions on settings, framing, composition for shooting close up portraits? It is easy to focus through the hood viewfinder. I have a Manfrotto tripod that I plan to use. I noticed that the previous owner put a piece of black paper in the viewfinder that has the 4 corners blocked out about 1/2 inch. I assume that is to denote where the 2x3 120 film will fill the frame of the 3x4 back? Is that correct?
Also, with respect to the dark slide, when do I need to use that and when is it not necessary?
If I am shooting 8 shots in a row for a portrait photoshoot of my family members, do I need to put it back in before advancing my film between shots. I don't think I do, but want to make sure. It appears that the mirror closes down after each shot in the camera. My camera has A,B,C,D shutter speed settings as well as "T" and "O". I understand how A,B,C,D are to select the proper film curtain slit/shutter speed in conjunction with the High and Low (H&L) tension. What are the "T" and "O"? I notice when I have it on "T", that it leaves the curtain wide open after the shot. I think I just need to make sure not to put it on T or O and the curtain will close after the shot so I won't need to worry about double exposing. Right? Also, I notice that the camera won't let you wind until you drop down the mirror. So winding the curtain slits won't expose it. So, I "think" I can keep shooting and rewinding between shots with no dark slide in, correct??
Any other tips for this camera operation? Thanks! I know this is long. haha!
Graflex R.B. Super D
Graflex 3-cell Lightsaber flashgun
Re: Serial number info
Cool.........Cool.......
So, no comment??
Cool.......................
So, no comment??
Cool.......................
Re: Serial number info
Anyone know what year my Graflex camera is?
Much appreciated if anyone can help. Thanks!
I also posted a question asking how to upload an avatar image to my profile so it appears to the top left of my posts.
Thanks! No replies from anyone yet. I am wondering if this message board is live still??
Maybe this is a ghost town??
I just acquired an Graflex R.B Super D 3x4 camera at an estate sale. The serial # is 457692. What is the manufacturer year??
Much appreciated if anyone can help. Thanks!
I also posted a question asking how to upload an avatar image to my profile so it appears to the top left of my posts.
Thanks! No replies from anyone yet. I am wondering if this message board is live still??
Maybe this is a ghost town??