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Gowlandflex on ebay

I am going to buy six of them!
 
Looking at it again, noticed that the taking lens is a Caltar, while the viewing lens is a Voltlander (sp?) not orginal to the camera, the examples I've seen the past were matched Wollensake(sp?).
 
where's our fearless leader ? Sean had and used one for a while ( as seen by his avatar )
I almost bought one it said "gowlandchrome" on it, I think it was being sold by Jay Tepper,
fearless lens and camera dealer with a bullet proof return policy. I called Mr Gowland to ask advice
about refurbishing it and he and his wife were two of the nicest people I have ever spoken to!
I didn't have deep enough pockets, kind of wishing I did, it seems I could have sold it for lots of $$ !
 
I've only seen Gowlandflex in a studio, the Playboy Studio in LA, mid 60s. Our college class toured, no shoots were in progress, it really stood out from the various 4X5, 5X7 and an 8X10 view cameras. Even then I understood how valuable it was, take the dark slide out, no blackout, wait for the right spontaneous moment and shoot.
 
I bought one in the mid 60s. My studio was in CT and I had some questions about it. So the next morning at 9am I called the customer service number. It was Peter’s home phone in CA and I woke him up!
Never did get it to work for me, figured I was too short at 5’10” and would need to use a step ladder hor head and shoulder shts. That was not convenient!
 
They'd probably shoot you on sight in some countries if you pointed that thing at them. Can's say I'd blame them.
 
Agreed. A Graflex Super D is by far the best choice. Fantastic camera for portraits, and back in the day, women photographers were even seen using them (although I would like a little wagon to pull one around in). Maybe a dog cart, much cheaper than hiring assistants to carry it.
 

I've had the opportunity to buy a super D ( I didn't think they made a 5x7 version or if they did it was mythical like the 8x10 version ) my boss had a 5x7 portrait graflex though that was sweet!. I kept away from getting the super d because I didn't really find the auto diagaphram which set them apart from regular series D's ( and maybe using a international back instead of a graphic back ?) was worth the extra expense they commanded. I just opened up and stopped down as needed. ..
 
Paul Howell said:
Looking at it again, noticed that the taking lens is a Caltar, while the viewing lens is a Voltlander (sp?) not orginal to the camera, the examples I've seen the past were matched Wollensake(sp?).
Click to expand...
The lenses on the Gowlandflex were never really "matched". Peter used various lenses for the viewing and taking side of things. While he preferred Rodenstock, Schneider and Nikon lenses, when supply was low other brands were used. From around 1988 to 2000 I supplied parts for the Gowland cameras, specifically the 4x5 ground glass focus panels and Graflok backs for the pocket view and other 4x5 cameras that he constructed. The Gowlandflex 4x5 was actually his smaller format camera as he also made a Gowlandflex 8x10, weighed 20 pounds without lenses. Peter and Alice became good friends of mine and they were most kind and generous.
 
Is Jay Tepper still in business? I setup at a camera show in Boston and Jay was there selling and buying too. He was a first class guy and very easy to talk to. I think shortly there after his daughter teamed up with him, but I haven't seen much since. Of all the Gowland cameras made I thought the nifty little 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 pocket view was best suited for me. Never bought one and just went to 4x5 Graphic View II. I always like the pictures of Peter, with his trusty wife assisting, shooting nudes. Never could get my wife to do that, but she did assist me shooting a few weddings and was darn good too. Ahhh, the good old days. JohnW
 
I've looked at Gowlandflexes, aren't they one lens cameras?

5x7 and 4x5 Sinar Norma TLR's by Nokton48, on Flickr

I have about twenty+ different lens pairs for these cameras. This 5x7 pictured left has a matched pair of Schneider Componons, and the 4x5 on the right had a matched pair of 250 Rodenstock Imagons. The viewing lens is bottom, the taking lens with Sinar Shutter is on the top.. Fundamentally different from the Gowlands, but also similar in some ways.
 

I had a similar experience, but it was many years later the the subject was his aerial 4x5.
 
I brought several items from Jay Tepper back in the day. I asked him if he ever had an 8x10 Graflex SLR. He said that in 30 years in the photo equipment business he had only seen one. It didn't sound like he owned it.
 
Did you know Peter Gowland was friends with Dr. Demento?
 
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