graflex 3A

[removed account4]

hi

is anyone here using one of these cameras?
it takes 122 roll film ( i think ) ..
have you modified it to take something else?
do you shoot paper?

do you ever use the autographic feature
( writing on the film with the special stylus) ?

thanks!

-john

 

[Terence]

I use a different 122 camera. I use a 122 spool (came with the camera) on the take-up side and I made spacers for the other side that just keep the 120 rolls centered and free to rotate. Basically they're just a couple of pieces of wood dowel hot-glued in place and with a little bit of felt on the end to provide enough friction to hold the film taut.

If I remember correctly, the autographic feature required a special backing layer that was similar to making a carbon copy.

 

[Ria]

If I remember correctly, the autographic feature required a special backing layer that was similar to making a carbon copy.[/QUOTE]

The autographic feature was introduced in 1914. The autographic film had a carbon tissue between the film and the backing paper. "Writing" on the backing paper with the stylus resulted in notations on the border of the negative. Autographic backs were available for older cameras that did not have them as original equipment.

 

[removed account4]

terence and ria

thanks for your replies and the info on autographic film. i have a autographic 3a folder
that belonged to my grandparents with stylus &C and i know those cameras
had sheet film backs &C ( kind of hard to find these days ) .. but i have always
had a fondness for that graflex 3a ... actually bought one from joe tepper years ago,
but returned it to him because it wasn't in the best of condition, and he has a bullet proof return policy
(return for any reason, no questions asked, full refund) ... and i came across another one on
the westlicht auction site last night ... and wanted to see if anyone else is using one of these clunky things ..

thanks again!
john

 

[Nathan Smith]

Hi John,

I have one that I bought with the intention of doing panoramas using 120 film but never have gotten around to it.

There are some good sites about the topic, some folks just make some adapters and use 120 film directly and some add a method for supporting the film (glass sheet, rails, etc.).

Looks like fun, please post your results -maybe it'll goad me into using mine too

Nathan

(Edit) PS - oops, I don't have a Graflex, just a Kodak folder. Same applies though I would think.

 

[mhcfires]

I have a Brownie 3A Folding camera which uses 122 film. I found film on ebay, I have six rolls left. It is Verichrome Pan, was last made in 1970. I am saving the backing paper, I will probably get some aerographic film and slit it to the 92mm width of the 122 film. I process it in an open bucket by means of the see saw method. It is a PITA but it works, and I don't shoot that much film. Good luck with your camera.

 

[removed account4]

well,

i did it .. 10 years after mailing it back to joe t,
i bought another one and i am waiting for it to arrive.
if the pix are actual, it seems to be in great shape...

 

[sharpnikkor]

Good luck with your Graflex 3a. I have one as well I bought last year, though the shutter is jammed and will need servicing. I have dreams of adapting it to use with 120 film. Let us know how your camera works out.

 

[removed account4]

Good luck with your Graflex 3a. I have one as well I bought last year, though the shutter is jammed and will need servicing. I have dreams of adapting it to use with 120 film. Let us know how your camera works out.

hi sharpnikkor

well, its been a handful of years sorry i didn't respond to your post sooner. i have and use my graflex 3A all the time, and love it !
i don't use 122 film, although a nice appugger mailed me some ( and i donated $$ to a local food bank ) i never used it ... instead i have
hand rolled paper that is the same width as 122 film on spools and shot paper negatives with it. i have tried to figure out the " how many cranks to the next frame"
but i sometimes get overlapping stuff, and big gaps between frames, but that's ok: the paper is all expired and i don't really care too much if i make mistakes ...
the paper is taped together after it is cut and i leave it wound on a spool for a few days before putting it into the camera ... then when i am done, i un tape and process the 8" x.. strips
it works great ! i also put 5x7 sheets of paper in the back and it puts a perfect image on a 5x7 sheet of paper. the aspect ratio i think is my favorite, its almost perfect ( not sure if there is a perfect )
also, my shutter well, it works, but i leave it OPEN and i made a lens cap and just remove it and replace it to make my exposures. its paper and expired ( read slow ) so it works great
a few examples of what i have done are attached ...

i hope you got yours in working order ! if not, apug member shutterfinger does fantastic work with graflex cameras !

 

[NedL]

... i also put 5x7 sheets of paper in the back and it puts a perfect image on a 5x7 sheet of paper. the aspect ratio i think is my favorite, its almost perfect...

Agree. And just big enough to make nice contact prints from.