Graflex Series D...

ChristopherCoy · Sep 12, 2012

I went to a local antique shop, and they had this on the shelves. Apparently it was bought along with a hundred or so other cameras from a collectors estate. It has NOT been tested for working conditions. However I thought it looked like it was in fairly good condition.

It's priced at $350. I haven't bought it but I'm contemplating it.

I'm going to go do some research on it now, but I wanted to get some input from those of you who may have one or currently use one.

werra · Sep 12, 2012

Be prepared to replace the shutter curtain. Other than that, lot of fun as walk-around camera. And lot of exercise as well
The hood looks to be OK.

rbeech · Sep 12, 2012

From the photos it appears that the lamb's wool on the viewfinder is intact. This camera was well cared for. I would bet most of the functions work.

Check to see what size film it takes. Series D was made in at least 4 different sizes.

ChristopherCoy · Sep 12, 2012

It's a 4x5 I think. The lens is a Tessar 4x5, or at least that's what it states...

How would I test the shutter? Should I test the shutter? I'm not a big fan of the you break you buy policy.

Are the expensive to repair?

E. von Hoegh · Sep 12, 2012

That's an RB, (rotating back) series D Graflex. I had one, and they're a ball to use. The shutter curtain may be good, may not. It's about the only weak point. Better go to the Gaflex site for particulars, mine is long gone and I'll leave out some important step on setting the shutter speeds. Looks like the 3 1/4x4 1/4 version.

erikg · Sep 12, 2012

I shoot with these. I would just take a look at the shutter curtain, I wouldn't wind anything unless I was prepared to buy. Take the film pack holder off and look at the cloth. It is a rubberized material, if it seems smooth and flat and still flexible (as best as you can tell) then the camera probably can be made operational fairly easily. If the curtain seems dry and cracked, then I would walk away unless you want more of a project.

werra · Sep 12, 2012

Well, yeah, for the project and 3x4 $350 is a bit too much as well.

removed account4 · Sep 12, 2012

i also have a seris d rb
best 5x4 camera i own, lots of fun
perfectly weighted and easy to work on
if you need to retime the shutter on your own.

i would ask the owner of the shop to give you a "demonstration"
of the shutter, so if there is a problem it is on his dime ..
sometimes the metal edges on the slots get bent and jammed up
so the shutter doesn't wind ...
if the shutter was stored wound up, there might be some issues too
with the master spring being stretched. but that is easy to deal with
when you retime the mechanism ...

have fun !
john

ChristopherCoy · Sep 12, 2012

The lens says its a 4x5, what makes y'all believe this is a 3x4? Not that I don't trust you, I'm just curious so that I'll know for futures sake.

removed account4 · Sep 12, 2012

ChristopherCoy said:
The lens says its a 4x5, what makes y'all believe this is a 3x4? Not that I don't trust you, I'm just curious so that I'll know for futures sake.

it could just be a larger lens the owner put on the camera
it wouldn't be hard to figure out what format it is, measure the opening
of the film pack ... or the back of the camera.
film holders for that type of graflex are bigger than "modern"
film holders, they are slotted. there are grafmatic backs, and bag magazines
that are made for that camera as well as adapt a roll roll film holders ...
if it is a 3x4 sometimes the film holders &c are difficult to find, 4x5, not so hard ...

good luck !
john

if you buy it, look around for a dead version of the same camera so you have
something to steal parts from ...

E. von Hoegh · Sep 12, 2012

ChristopherCoy said:
The lens says its a 4x5, what makes y'all believe this is a 3x4? Not that I don't trust you, I'm just curious so that I'll know for futures sake.

Because it looks just like the 3x4 I had. Lenses can be changed.

erikg · Sep 12, 2012

It's hard to tell in a picture. Lenses get swapped around a lot on these, although it was common to have a slightly longer than normal lens mounted, I have a 4x5 that came with a "5x7" tessar on it, but that lens was a good bit older than the body. If you are familiar with both size cameras you can tell just by picking it up but the best way to tell is to measure the back or a holder. 3x4 is a nice size for hand holding, very easy to manage.

ChristopherCoy · Sep 12, 2012

I'm back at the store. Sign on the door says "back in 10 minutes". I'm going to ask to take the back off and look at the curtain and also measure the opening.

Thanks for all your help. More pics to come.

E. von Hoegh · Sep 12, 2012

ChristopherCoy said:
I'm back at the store. Sign on the door says "back in 10 minutes". I'm going to ask to take the back off and look at the curtain and also measure the opening.

Thanks for all your help. More pics to come.

Offer $200.

BrianShaw · Sep 12, 2012

ChristopherCoy said:
How would I test the shutter? Should I test the shutter? I'm not a big fan of the you break you buy policy.

Ask that it be demonstrated by the seller to you. If seller is unwilling, make a low-ball offer.

ChristopherCoy · Sep 12, 2012

Ok, it's a 3x4. I took the back off and looked at it. He said I was welcome to "click" it, but I chose not to. Here are some more photos. It looks like it was stored with the mirror up.

BrianShaw · Sep 12, 2012

I pass on 3x4's. If I knew that it was easy to adapt/obtain a roll film back for one I'd give them more serious consideration.

ChristopherCoy · Sep 12, 2012

I was just going to say that it looks like Efke is the only one producing 3.25x4.25 film according to Freestyles website.

mwdake · Sep 12, 2012

The lens says its a 4x5, what makes y'all believe this is a 3x4?

I know you have already figured it out but...

I have a 3x4 RB Series B and it's lens says 4x5.
I have also seen plenty of 4x5 Graflex SLRs that have a 5x7 lens.
Maybe it was common practice to put a lens one size up on these cameras.

Sirius Glass · Sep 12, 2012

I would pass on the 3 1/4" x 4 1/4". I have the 4"x5" and love it.

removed account4 · Sep 12, 2012

if you want to shoot 120 film
you can take a 3x4 singer / graflex &c roll film holder
that was made for a 3x4 camera and tape it on the back
it might do the trick for you.
i have a graflex 23 taped on the back of my 4x5
that i taped on there and i shoot wide open all the time
never had focus issues ...

have fun !
john

brucemuir · Sep 12, 2012

Sirius Glass said:
I would pass on the 3 1/4" x 4 1/4". I have the 4"x5" and love it.

I agree, pass on this one... as difficult as that may be.

Sirius Glass · Sep 12, 2012

jnanian said:
if you want to shoot 120 film
you can take a 3x4 singer / graflex &c roll film holder
that was made for a 3x4 camera and tape it on the back
it might do the trick for you.
i have a graflex 23 taped on the back of my 4x5
that i taped on there and i shoot wide open all the time
never had focus issues ...

have fun !
john

Or in that case, buy a MF camera and not deal with the bulk. I still fail to see a winning case for using a LF camera for 120 film.

ChristopherCoy · Sep 12, 2012

brucemuir said:
I agree, pass on this one... as difficult as that may be.

I think Im going to pass on it, unfortunately.

But this s why I love this forum! I learned a bit today, and saved $350 because of the knowledge that wass shared.

BrianShaw · Sep 12, 2012

Sirius Glass said:
Or in that case, buy a MF camera and not deal with the bulk. I still fail to see a winning case for using a LF camera for 120 film.

I know how difficult that is to understand because it iis very difficult to explain!

Graflex Series D...

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