Graflex RB Series D

Fotoguy20d · Jun 21, 2008

I just got this RB Series D yesterday. It's a 3x4 with rotating back. The clamping mechanism has one fixed bar and one that slides - looks sort of like the lensboard arrangement on a 4x5 Anniversary Speed Graphic. As can be seen, the camera came with a film pack adapter (obsolete I'm sure) with a few shots of Tri-X left in it.

First question - what are my options for using this camera? Will a roll film back such as would fit under a Graflok back work here?

Second question - any thoughts as to exposing the remaining shots and then processing the pack? I have D-76 or Tmax developer available and Ilford Fixer.

Thanks,
Dan

waynecrider · Jun 22, 2008

Just get some slotted film holders and cut down some 4x5 film. It's relatively easy to do. Forget the rollfilm backs if you can even find a model that fit's the camera. Even newer backs had film flatness issues. I own the Auto model, non RB and it takes time to get a hold of film holders but it can be done.

I personally wouldn't waste my time exposing the remaining film. I think old 400 speed film will fog badly. Btw, I use the pack adapter as a cover.

removed account4 · Jun 22, 2008

sometimes you can get lucky on Eboo, or pacificrimcamera.com or equinoxphotographic.com
for the slotted film holders. i think the 3x4 ones pop up from time to time.
i have the 4x5 version of your camera and i use a graphic 23 and 22 back with mine.
i just tape it to the back of the camera with black masking tape. the roll film
holders i use are too big for your camera, but maybe you can figure out a way to trim them down
to fit yours, since 3x4 film is not the easiest to find these days ..

great camera!

good luck
john

k_jupiter · Jun 22, 2008

There are 3x4 roll film holders out there, I use one on my rb when I run out of slotted film holders (I have 4 I think). Keep looking, it's a good solution. You just need to make a view finder mask for your 2.25x3.25 format.

Best of luck, it's a great camera to shoot with.

tim in san jose

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 22, 2008

The rollfilm backs that are mounted to a 3x4 sized plate are quite rare, and command a premium unless you find someone who doesn't know what they're selling. You can adapt the packfilm holders to act as single-sided film holders, and since packfilm is for all intents and purposes extinct, you can pick up the packfilm holders on the cheap - cheaper than the double-sided film holders with the grooves. The last alternative is to find yourself a 12-shot bag mag with septums in good shape.

Don Dudenbostel · Jun 22, 2008

I have a RB Super D 3x4, tele long bellows and short bellows tele model. Fortunately my Super D came with 19 almost new holders and I already had a half dozen good ones. I found a reasonably priced roll back in near mint condition and purchased it. Unfortunately it didn't hold film very flat so I sold it. From researching I found that none of the 3x4 roll backs had the little rollers that were later introduced to keep film flat. I tried a number of different films and had no luck. I do know that Lens and Repro in NYC modifies later graflex backs for the 3x4 and they do hold film flat. The downside is they are up there in price. Seems like it was $300-400 dollars.

I use Efle pl 100 film with them. It comes in 3x4 precut but I find it had a great deal of trash on it and have to blow each film shee off with canned air when loading. It's just something I've found with this film whether 2x3 or 5x7.

These are great cameras and make some great images. I love the look of the lenses in combination with the Efke 100 and Rodinal. Very nice vintage look.

Enjoy!

Oren Grad · Jun 22, 2008

Be aware that Graflexes are unsuited for photographs of carrier landings:

http://www.graflex.org/articles/series-d/

Seriously, with a bit of patience I was able to find several of the slotted holders for my quarter-plate (3.25x4.25) Graflexes for not very much money. Beyond eBay, Equinox and Pacific Rim, you might also keep an eye on KEH. Over the years I've gotten holders from all of these sources.

Strictly speaking, the slotted holders are known as Graflex style, while the more familiar type without the slots on the edges are known as Graphic style. But you have to check carefully that the holders you're considering actually do have the slots, because some uninformed sellers refer to any holder from the Graflex *company* as being a "Graflex holder", which makes for lots of confusion.

Fotoguy20d · Jun 22, 2008

Don Dudenbostel said:
I use Efle pl 100 film with them. It comes in 3x4 precut...

I looked at B&H. They have the Efke film in 2x3 and 4x5 but not 3x4. I like using B&H but don't mind mail ordering from somewhere else - do you know of other places that carry it? Seems much better than cutting down 4x5.

Dan

Jon Shiu · Jun 22, 2008

Hi, check out freestylephoto.biz for film.

Jon

k_jupiter · Jun 22, 2008

Freestyle for 3x4.

Somehow I have accumulated several hundred sheets of 3x4 film.

Better get shooting.

tim in san jose

k_jupiter · Jun 22, 2008

TheFlyingCamera said:
The rollfilm backs that are mounted to a 3x4 sized plate are quite rare, and command a premium unless you find someone who doesn't know what they're selling. The last alternative is to find yourself a 12-shot bag mag with septums in good shape.

Premium eh?

Lets see, I just payed... for my Deardorff... you think selling the roll back might cover it?

OTOH, I go have a decent 3x4 bag mag running around here, well sitting around is more like it. If you want to try that, PM me.

tim in san jose

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 22, 2008

When I say premium, I mean the 6x9cm roll backs with the 4x5 adapter plate (very common) or without adapter plate, to go on the baby speed/crown graphics, tend to sell for $30-75. The ones to fit a 3x4 camera tend to run $150-300, if you can find one not attached to a camera. Not going to pay for a 'dorff, but it's something.

k_jupiter · Jun 22, 2008

TheFlyingCamera said:
When I say premium, I mean the 6x9cm roll backs with the 4x5 adapter plate (very common) or without adapter plate, to go on the baby speed/crown graphics, tend to sell for $30-75. The ones to fit a 3x4 camera tend to run $150-300, if you can find one not attached to a camera. Not going to pay for a 'dorff, but it's something.

Thanks Scott. *L* One day I might actually sell it. It does take nice photos. And it is not attached to the camera. Amazingly enough, if I sold all my 3x4 stuff, I might come close. I have one of the few working Kalart Press cameras, as well as two others that still take photos but not in auto mode. A 3x4 Speed in great condition, and a ZI Trona with a 3x4 spring ground glass back.

With all this 3x4 equipment running around, pretty dern cheap, you would think someone would figure out how to make reasonably priced film for that format.

Maybe we need our own users group?

tim in san jose

Deleted member 19578 · Jun 22, 2008

I have a bunch of 3x4 slotted holders... Let me know if you want some.

John

Don Dudenbostel · Jun 23, 2008

Fotoguy20d said:
I looked at B&H. They have the Efke film in 2x3 and 4x5 but not 3x4. I like using B&H but don't mind mail ordering from somewhere else - do you know of other places that carry it? Seems much better than cutting down 4x5.

Dan

Freestyle sells 3-1/4x4-1/4 in Efke pl100. That's where I get it.

Fotoguy20d · Jun 24, 2008

TheFlyingCamera said:
The ones to fit a 3x4 camera tend to run $150-300, if you can find one not attached to a camera. Not going to pay for a 'dorff, but it's something.

I've seen 3x4 roll backs before (But never paid much attention not needing one until now) and that they were higher priced than the 2x3s and even slightly higher priced than 4x5s. Although I've noticed a general errosion of prices on the bay lately, doesn't account for the fact that I got one for $50 (inclusive of shipping) yesterday afternoon (a "22", would have preferred a "23") completely unopposed. So, assuming it's working okay, that's one option covered.

Now for a couple of slotted holders for the RB. Will those work properly in a spring back anniversary 3x4 or are they slightly wider than the ones for the spring back?

Dan

Don Dudenbostel · Jun 24, 2008

Slotted holders will only work on the Graflex backs not the later Graphic backs. There were early models of Graflex press cameras that used the slotted backs but most that you see for sale are for the newer backs. The dimensions are different in the two holders as I understand it.

k_jupiter · Jun 24, 2008

Fotoguy20d said:
Although I've noticed a general errosion of prices on the bay lately, doesn't account for the fact that I got one for $50 (inclusive of shipping) yesterday afternoon (a "22", would have preferred a "23") completely unopposed. So, assuming it's working okay, that's one option covered.

Dan

Hmmmm... want to trade?

tim in san jose

freygr · Jun 24, 2008

Don Dudenbostel said:
Slotted holders will only work on the Graflex backs not the later Graphic backs. There were early models of Graflex press cameras that used the slotted backs but most that you see for sale are for the newer backs. The dimensions are different in the two holders as I understand it.

The light trap is different! Which is the most important thing.

Don Dudenbostel · Jun 24, 2008

freygr said:
The light trap is different! Which is the most important thing.

Correct. The Graflex holder has a groove for a trap near the slide end and the Graphic holder has a ridge farther into the holder. The Graflex holder is about 3/32" wider than the Grahic and the Graflex is longer.

Don't overlook the bag mags. I have 4 and love them. 12 sheets per holder is very nice but they do take a little getting used to. Average price for a nice on was roughly $45 earlier in the year. I purchased one at that price that is basically new. I don't think it had ever been used.

Fotoguy20d · Jun 27, 2008

k_jupiter said:
Hmmmm... want to trade?

tim in san jose

Tim,

I might be willing just to sell it to you for what I paid... (the pity being that it just came all the way cross country from Oakland)

I suppose it should have been obvious to me that if a holder to fit a spring back wouldn't work in a Graflex back, neither would a roll film holder. Issue of whether the film plane is even in the right place aside, the holder is too long (although I'm not sure if that matters) but also too short in height - I would need to see if I could rig something up to extend it so it will run under the slides (or if I can build some kind of clamp to come out and grab the edges where they are). I'm going to think about it for a day or two and then maybe just use it with sheet holders and efke film from freestyle.

I do have a 3x4 anniversary speed with spring back which I could adapt the roll holder to, but I like to use my graphics with GG focusing, and already have plenty of 2x3 models (anybody want to take one, or three, off my hands) so I don't know why I'd bother. Only reason I bought it is it's a post-war model and all my other anniversary speeds are wartime and I wanted the nice chromed body for display - it was dirt cheap, being minus a bunch of parts which I happened to have lying around spare.

Dan

k_jupiter · Jun 27, 2008

OK, I see. You have a graphics back that doesn't fit the Graflex. It won't do me any good neither.

tim in san jose

Graflex RB Series D

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