Grafmatic backs. How to choose?

mark · Feb 16, 2020

Looking to lose some bulk. 2 or 3 of these would work. based on eBay descriptions they all sound the same. How would I know one was better than the others based on descriptions? I know all 6 septums have to be there but what else should I be concerned with.

Sirius Glass · Feb 16, 2020

Look in www.graflex.org in the information files and forum. There are two types of Grafmatic backs: Graflex and Graphic. You need to know the difference so that you buy the right one.

Dan Fromm · Feb 16, 2020

With septa, presence isn't enough. They have to be flat too. Bent ones are useless and unfixable.

shutterfinger · Feb 16, 2020

Graflex Corp. word play can be confusing.
Graphic Grafmatic is catalog number 1268.
Graflex Grafmatic is catalog number 1168.
Graphic Grafmatic 23 is for 2x3 sheet film in Graphic / Graflock backs on 2x3 cameras, catalog number 1266.
Graflex Grafmatic 23 is catalog 1166 for 2x3 Graflex back cameras.
Graflex film holders are wider than standard film holders and will not fit spring or graflok backs.

Download the factory service manual with operating instructions here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1sPJkp-Mdghc3p0X21PSmI1Zmc/view?usp=sharing
Some do not have the model number on the exterior and I don't remember if there the newer or older.
Visit https://graflex.org/helpboard/ and use the site search function for grafmatic for other discussions about this holder.

Bob S · Feb 16, 2020

mark said:
Looking to lose some bulk. 2 or 3 of these would work. based on eBay descriptions they all sound the same. How would I know one was better than the others based on descriptions? I know all 6 septums have to be there but what else should I be concerned with.

Scratching, later ones, made in FL were running a 70% defect rate on the ones that we bought for the Linhof factory.

mark · Feb 16, 2020

Bob S said:
Scratching, later ones, made in FL were running a 70% defect rate on the ones that we bought for the Linhof factory.

Film scratching?

removed account4 · Feb 16, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
With septa, presence isn't enough. They have to be flat too. Bent ones are useless and unfixable.

bigly important !

Dan Fromm · Feb 16, 2020

Bob S said:
Scratching, later ones, made in FL were running a 70% defect rate on the ones that we bought for the Linhof factory.

Bob, were the bad ones marked Graflex Inc., Singer, or Graflex-Subsea? The last of these was the Florida operation. Or was it Subsea-Graflex?

mark · Feb 16, 2020

thank you YouTube. Looks like I need a 1268. @Bob S how do I identify the ones you were talking about? I can’t find that on the graflex site.

Bob S · Feb 16, 2020

Check to make sure that they don’t scratch. The label on the item might state Stat what state they were located in.

hsandler · Feb 17, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
Bob, were the bad ones marked Graflex Inc., Singer, or Graflex-Subsea? The last of these was the Florida operation. Or was it Subsea-Graflex?

FWIW, I have owned about five 1268s marked General Precision Graflex Corporation, made in Rochester, and all were fine. Also, all were of the newer type with a locking "X" position after the 6th exposure in the cycle.

outwest · Feb 17, 2020

I have repaired some septa using a 6 inch stainless steel rule to protect the slot and gentle manipulation so not all lost. They also have fit the spring backs on most of my cameras. YMMV A careful cleaning and lubing is necessary. I use bicycle chain wax on the friction points of the septa. Dries hard. Bob can relate to this: when the Air Force photo school at Lowry closed down there was a glut of surplus Grafmatics with USAF markings around that were going for $35. The good old days. By the way, they can't be used on a Linhof Tech III without a little mod of the far end stop on the camera.

Ian Grant · Feb 17, 2020

These were also made by Wray in Peckham, London, here in the UK under licence. I have two good smooth sets one of which is NIB with the Wray instructions, the third is useless. As mentioned above be careful what you buy.

It wasn't uncommon for items to be made in more than one country, Dallmeyer made Ideal shutters under licence from Packard, they were distributed by Kodak Ltd through their Professional stores and wholesale outlets.

Ian

Nokton48 · Feb 17, 2020

outwest said:
I have repaired some septa using a 6 inch stainless steel rule to protect the slot and gentle manipulation so not all lost. They also have fit the spring backs on most of my cameras. YMMV A careful cleaning and lubing is necessary. I use bicycle chain wax on the friction points of the septa. Dries hard.

Great info! Thanks
I have three I am renovating right now
These are not always that easy to find in decent shape...........

Grafmatic backs. How to choose?

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