5x7 Graflex SLR

EASmithV · Feb 28, 2015

Thought i'd show off my newest Large Format Camera

[video=youtube;WCd6mgeSNw4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCd6mgeSNw4[/video]

Here's some photos I took (all handheld) in the past couple days since getting it back from CLA:

Hope you enjoy

Zathras · Feb 28, 2015

Thanks for posting this, Where did you get your camera serviced?

fotch · Feb 28, 2015

Good show. When I first got to handle a Graflex while visiting Central Camera in Chicago in the late fifties ( I was very young) I fell in love with them. I use to have about a half dozen of the 4x5 including a mint Super D, which I sold, I still have a couple.

Sirius Glass · Feb 28, 2015

Is it leather covered or painted?

jamie young · Feb 28, 2015

I'm also curious about who did the CLA

removed account4 · Mar 1, 2015

hi eric -

i am VERY jealous
always wanted one of these !

best wishes and wonderful portraits !

john

David A. Goldfarb · Mar 1, 2015

I'm also interested to find out who did the CLA, in case I decide that the shutter repair on my 5x7" Press Graflex is beyond my capabilities.

EASmithV · Mar 1, 2015

The CLA was done by a member of this forum and also a frequent poster on Graflex.org.

Anyone who needs the contact info, please feel free to PM me, those of you who have asked, I'm sending you a message with how to reach him

Ian Grant · Mar 1, 2015

Thanks for posting the video Eric, it's also nice to put a face to a poster here

I'm going to restore an almost identical camera sometime soon, the only difference is mine's the Postcard sized version. It'll be very easy to adapt to use modern 5x4/9x12 DDS (same outside dimensions). I use 9x12 film and so will get some modern 9x12 DDS the format is close to Postcard size, just not quite as long.

Graflex shutters are very easy to work on, they are quite crude compared to many of the British SLR shutters of the same era which were similar to modern cloth self capping focal plane shutters in later RF Leica and 35mm/120 SLRs.

I'm more used to Thornton Pickard Ruby Reflex cameras - the shutter is modular, I think I have 4, but also have a Soho reflex with front rise/fall, tilts, and front swing not bad for a 5x4 SLR. I also have a very light Dallmeyer Press (actually a re-badged Ensign Reflex) and a 6x9 Houghton Butcher - Ensign Speed Film Reflex. That's the restoration queue along with a big box full of TP shutters . . . . . . . . .

Ian

shutterfinger · Mar 1, 2015

I confess, I did it. No need to hide it Eric. I also made this post, http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=6680 , upon completion of this camera's servicing.

EASmithV · Mar 1, 2015

shutterfinger said:
I confess, I did it. No need to hide it Eric. I also made this post, http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=6680 , upon completion of this camera's servicing.

Cool! I just didn't want to get you a lot of spam by posting the info publicly.

Here are some photos of it with the Super D for comparison. You get a much larger format, with not that much larger of a camera with the compact design.

After making the video a few people contacted me,
seems there is at least one more 5x7 compact that is functioning properly still out there, albeit not seeing use.

Sirius Glass · Mar 1, 2015

Between a 4"x5" and a 5"x7" the 5"x7" volume is larger but the weight is about the same.

tessar · Mar 1, 2015

You have a great portrait camera there, Eric. I have a 1931 Ser. B 3x4 for which I found a 2x3 rollfilm holder. The 162mm Kodak Anastigmat is a good length for portraits on 2x3, and my subjects like the effect of the uncoated lens. (Btw, it's due for some work by shutterfinger.)

ic-racer · Mar 1, 2015

Great stuff, thanks for sharing.

Ian Grant · Mar 2, 2015

shutterfinger said:
I confess, I did it. No need to hide it Eric. I also made this post, http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=6680 , upon completion of this camera's servicing.

Helpful as usual Charles

It is necessary these days to share information and help each other out, restorations and shutter repairs are time consuming and if charged out at realistic prices would be uneconomic.

One thing I have learnt (with regard to Graflex cameras) is Experts aren't always correct (you weren't involved Charles). I asked on Graflex.org if I could use a Super Graphic front standard with all the tilts, shift, swing etc on a Speed/Crown Graphic. I was told it wasn't remotely possible. In fact after some modification I found I can use the spare Super Graphic front standard on a Pacemaker, Anniversary or even ore-Anniversary Speed (Crown) Graphic.

Ian

monst · Oct 7, 2015

I have a working one too but think it's a bit earlier than that version

shutterfinger · Oct 7, 2015

I have a working one too but think it's a bit earlier than that version

The serial number is on the view hood door, behind the view hood or the left rear edge of the bed looking into the front standard. What is your camera's serial number?

TenSpeed · Nov 4, 2015

Awesome camera!

5x7 Graflex SLR

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