Graflex Graphic View as an entry level 4x5?

WILL WORK FOR FILM

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I am seriously contemplating piecing together an entry level 4x5 monorail view camera system. While searching ebay and reading various online tutorials I have come to believe that I could likely acquire a monorail view camera body for around $200-$300. I have noticed that the Graflex Graphic View falls into this price range. It seems that lens/shutters are fairly reasonable as well. Would this be a quality first LF camera for a beginner at a "best bang for the buck" price point?
 

shutterfinger

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BrianShaw

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That would work fine if you get one in good condition. Another option you should explore is a Canbo SC or the Calumet equivalent. Advantages: newer, system camera so changing parts is easier, and may get you useful features like Graflok and rotating back. Well within your price range too.
 

Sirius Glass

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Graflex Graphic view cameras are an excellent starting point as long as you do not want to use it hand held like a Speed or Crown Graphic.
 

superpos

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camera wise that should be fine.
look for some quality lenses and shooooot
 

Dan Fromm

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Another vote for Cambo SC or Sinar. Both are system cameras, the Graphic View isn't. And both are much better supported.

All that said, OP, if you fancy a GV and find one at a good price, why not? If it turns out not to suit you, you can always sell it.
 

jimjm

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My first LF camera was a Graphic View I. Very stable and well-built, but not light. Plenty of movements for almost any need, but the GVII does have a few extra features. Almost any lens will fit this camera, it just needs to be mounted in the correct type lensboard.

There are a multitude of quality LF lenses out there on the used market, for very good prices. You can often find good older lenses like Kodak Ektars or Graflex Optars with shutter for less than $100, and anything newer from Nikon, Fuji, Schneider or Rodenstock will usually be excellent. Check the Classifieds here on APUG, or over on LFF forum and you're sure to find something for sale. Be careful using eBay, unless the seller is knowledgeable and can guarantee condition of the lens and accuracy of the shutter.

It's a great camera to start with, just make sure it comes with the proprietary rail clamp/tripod mount. If you want to shoot 4x5 handheld, or want something lighter, try one of the Speed / Crown Graphic models.
 

Jim Jones

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The Graphic View is my favorite monorail. While the original Graphic View came with a spring back, some have been upgraded with the Graflok back that was standard on the Graphic View II and is directly interchangeable. Both take the 4 inch square lens board that was common in the 1940s and 1950s, and is easy to fabricate. The Calumet and the Burke & James monorail were similar in function. Sometimes 4x5 view cameras come with lenses from press cameras. Most of these lenses don't have enough covering power to work well with front movements.
 

bdial

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As others have said, it's a fine starter camera, they are sturdy, well built, and relatively easy to use. 300 for just the camera body would be too much though, 100 to 150 would be a more appropriate range in most markets.
A Calumet CC-400 would be another good candidate. One particularly nice feature they have over the Graphic View is a rotating back. Both take the same 4 inch square lens boards.
 

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darkroommike

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I have two Graphic View I's. A fine, relatively compact camera that works well with smaller lenses, it takes 4x4 lensboards just like the Anniversary 4x5 Speed Graphic and can also use most other 4x4 lensboards (sometime only after putting a chamfer on the board's bottom edge). HOWEVER it's barely adequate for wide angle lenses without modification. The bellows are fixed and pleated so movements with w.a. lenses is very difficult and w.a lenses must be mounted in small shutters and have small back lens groups of the lens will not pass through the "throat" on the front standard. There is a recessed lensboard available but it only works with the 90mm/6.8 Angulon and the equivalent w.a. Optar. There is also an adapter so that you can also use lenses mounted on Pacemaker boards but the same caveats applies. The Calumet CC-400 series works a bit better as an entry camera.

But have I mentioned that it's a very pretty Art Deco piece and has a Graflok back available? I have two I am restoring, one with red bellows the other with black and with the red bellows, it's a beauty.
 

filmamigo

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I think the Graphic View II is the perfect choice. They are often priced less than comparable view cameras and seem "uncool" which is good for prospective buyers. I bought my View II at a camera swap meet a few years ago -- the dealer had at least ten of them stacked on the floor, for $100 a piece. It was a complete kit, in good condition, with the tripod head, film holders, Graflok back, compendium shade, hard case etc. and a poor quality press lens.

I was glad to spend so little to explore view camera work, and decided that I didn't need the movements and preferred more portability. So I've since replaced the View II with a Speed Graphic.
 

darkroommike

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I forgot to add and this is important: the Graphic Views are worthless without their special dedicated tripod adapter, the adapter is a tilt head thing with a long handle that clamps the triangular rail (and the rails come in two slightly different sizes). Since it readily detaches from the camera many were left on a tripod and not put back with the camera in the camera case.

Do not buy a Graphic View that does not include the tripod adapter!
It's possible to have one made but that negates the bargain camera.
 

tessar

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+1 with bdial. A Calumet CC-400 was my first 4X5. Axis tilts, all movements except back rise and fall, no need for a tripod adapter.
 

Aleksej6

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When I began with large format I had to chose between Graflex and Fatif monorail camera 13x18cm. I bought the second one and I am happy because it is a camera that I will use for all my life. The problem with Graflex is, you don't have serious movements for creative work; and, if you want anything lighter for walking in the mountains, I prefer medium format camera with interchangeable lens, if you fit in it a 100 iso film, you have all the quality you need and transportability.
 

Dan Fromm

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The OP asked about a Graflex view camera with full movements, not a Graphic press camera with minimal movements. Also, the Graphic view shoots 4x5, not 5x7.

Graflex Inc's nomenclature confuses everyone.
 

removed account4

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it is limited by its bellows and the length of the rail.
if the bellows could have been changed out for a bag/balloon bellows i it would be great, but
shorter than a 90mm lens on it is nearly impossible and
while the rail is longish, it's not long enough and can't be replaced by a longer one..

a nice camera for what it is, but if the user needs to use wide lenses or long lenses
there might be better options.
 
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John Koehrer

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If I remember correctly in "Camera and Lens" by a well known person.
There are several pictures of that person using a Graphic View.
 

brofkand

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I just ordered an Intrepid 4x5 camera from these folks: https://intrepidcamera.co.uk

I'll let you know how it is once it comes in (they're quoting 12 weeks currently), but on the surface I think I'll be happy with it. An affordable 4x5 field camera with reasonable movements for under $300. And a rotating back. Very few new cameras offer a rotating back - usually you have to drop the back and flip it around, which isn't a big deal, but a rotating back is nicer I think. So far the first revision got mixed reviews, but this new revision seems to be better - more metal parts, and stiffer, more precise movements.

You can get a monorail camera for less than $300 (way less, actually). But it will weigh a ton, and speaking from personal experience you'll probably never use it for anything other than decoration unless you're very dedicated.

I had a Calumet CC-400 for probably 5 years and shot maybe 1 box of film with it. It was too heavy and unwieldy to take out with me.

If you want a monorail for the price and availability, go for it - the range of movements you get with a monorail are unmatched by most folding cameras. However, if you plan to take it out and shoot with it in nature, I'd give the Intrepid a look.
 

darkroommike

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In addition to my two Graphic View I's, I have various and sundry Speed and Crown Graphics, three Toyo monorails, a 5x7 Burke and James Saturn monorail (you just think finding a tripod adapter for a Graphic View is tough!) and a Toyo Field. The Toyo Field was a half-plate 4 ¾ x 6 ½ folding all metal field camera that took Pacemaker Graphic Boards. The standard back is removable and can be mounted in either portrait or landscape mode but the film holders are impossible to find (I'm sure Canham could make me a couple but there's no such thing as a standard half plate film holder, they all have different outside dimensions) so I found the Toyo factory 4x5 back, it's obviously a Toyo Field back board mounted to an early Toyo 4x5 rotating back. It's a different gray paint from the camera, has a lifting bail like a Calumet CC-401, no Graflok, and weighs more than the half plate back. Not what I want in a field camera. I have a spare, new in the box, 4x5 Graflok I plan to mate to a back board (as soon as I make one!), just for the weight savings.
 

Doc W

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I am going to take a slightly different view (sorry for the cheap pun) just in case you plan to use this camera in the field. If you truly want a monorail camera and don't intend to tote it everywhere, then stop reading right here.

Ages ago, I got a Graphic View II as a step up from a Crown Graphic and I really disliked it. I sold it almost instantly and couldn't wait to get something better. Out in the field, I found the the Graphic View to be really cumbersome. I still could not afford a really good proper field camera so I got a Super Graphic instead and used it for quite a while. The only drawback is the lack of rear movements but in every other way, it was terrific. The Super Graphic has lots of front movements, a rotating back, and most importantly, it is really, really portable, durable, light, easy to set up. Unless you absolutely want a monorail, consider a Super Graphic.
 
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