Lens board change on Graflex Super Graphic

alter ego 6x9 · Jan 19, 2025

This is really an amateur question, so I hope you'll be able to help me. I am trying to change the lens on my Graflex Super Graphic. I removed the lens board first. There are 4 clips that need to be pushed in and the lens board is released. I removed the lens board with no issues, but those clips are not retracting back. I was wondering - is there some kind of spring mechanism that is aged/rusty or am I doing something wrong. I could not find any videos online and the camera manual does not give any information regarding the board removal, so I hope anybody on this forum can give me some help. Thank you very much.

BrianShaw · Jan 19, 2025

On the two sides of the front frame (standard) are silver-colored sliders. Up and down to release and lock the len’s board.

I suggest re-reading the manual, specifically the section on changing the len, page 8.

https://galerie-photo.com/manuels/super-speed-graphic-2.pdf

juan · Jan 19, 2025

The sliders may also have stiffened with age. Working them back and forth should fix that. I've sprayed them with electronics cleaner (not WD-40 or Liquid Wrench) to clean them. Electronics cleaner does not leave a residue.
There are also several lens boards of that size. The Super and Super Speed took boards with the little bumps on the sides. Pacemaker boards had the bumps on the other two sides. Replacement boards generally had all four bumps, but if you're looking for a board, be sure it has the right bumps.

alter ego 6x9 · Jan 19, 2025

BrianShaw said:
On the two sides of the front frame (standard) are silver-colored sliders. Up and down to release and lock the len’s board.

I suggest re-reading the manual, specifically the section on changing the len, page 8.

https://galerie-photo.com/manuels/super-speed-graphic-2.pdf

Indeed, how come I missed that part… Thanks a lot.

ags2mikon · Jan 19, 2025

I would also recommend reading the procedures to unlock and work the front standard. I think that the people at Graflex were a bit sadistic. It is a great camera though, and fun to use.

alter ego 6x9 · Jan 19, 2025

ags2mikon said:
I would also recommend reading the procedures to unlock and work the front standard. I think that the people at Graflex were a bit sadistic. It is a great camera though, and fun to use.

Yes, I went through that. I am mostly MF shooter and use my Graflex maybe twice a year, so each time I need to refresh my memory...

BrianShaw · Jan 19, 2025

Check to see if both your existing shutter and the new shutter use the same hole size. I think but not certain that both are Copal 1, 41.6 mm, hole size. If not, you’ll need to adapt a different lens board. The bellow draw should be okay but could be quite stretched out. Im assuming that you’re not interested in using the rangefinder or vernier focus scale. Setting those up for such a lens would make me seriously consider a different camera. The Super Graphic is super duper but it’s still a press camera rather than a view camera.

alter ego 6x9 · Jan 19, 2025

BrianShaw said:
Check to see if both your existing shutter and the new shutter use the same hole size. I think but not certain that both are Copal 1, 41.6 mm, hole size. If not, you’ll need to adapt a different lens board. The bellow draw should be okay but could be quite stretched out. Im assuming that you’re not interested in using the rangefinder or vernier focus scale. Setting those up for such a lens would make me seriously consider a different camera. The Super Graphic is super duper but it’s still a press camera rather than a view camera.

Thanks. I checked the sizing - it seems that both are using Copal #0. I am still not sure about the purchase of this new lens - I spotted locally Fujinon W 210, but I'm still deciding. I understand that RF calibration is something I would need to do if I want to use the the rangefinder, but I would probably rely on the ground glass anyway, if I change the lens.

Dan Fromm · Jan 19, 2025

Hmm. OP, if you want to swap lenses in the field, spend the money to put the new (to you) lens its own board. Taking one lens off a board to put another one in the same board gets old very quickly. There's a reason why lens boards are easily detached.

alter ego 6x9 · Jan 19, 2025

Dan Fromm said:
Hmm. OP, if you want to swap lenses in the field, spend the money to put the new (to you) lens its own board. Taking one lens off a board to put another one in the same board gets old very quickly. There's a reason why lens boards are easily detached.

That’s what I’m thinking. Initially I thought of changing current Graflex Optar permanently, but I agree that having two lenses with own boards makes more sense.

mwdake · Jan 19, 2025

There’s a seller on eBay that sells reproduction lens boards for the Super Graphic quite cheaply; I think he is still there and if I can find it I’ll post the link.
The Super Graphic lens boards are a bit different than the other Graphic Press cameras, 4 little bumps that are thicker than Crown, Speed boards but I think there are some with both sets of little bumps.

I have Super Graphic too, it is a lot of fun to use.

alter ego 6x9 · Jan 20, 2025

mwdake said:
There’s a seller on eBay that sells reproduction lens boards for the Super Graphic quite cheaply; I think he is still there and if I can find it I’ll post the link.
The Super Graphic lens boards are a bit different than the other Graphic Press cameras, 4 little bumps that are thicker than Crown, Speed boards but I think there are some with both sets of little bumps.

I have Super Graphic too, it is a lot of fun to use.

Thanks, I already have an ebay seller in Germany selling those boards for a good price, I will probably buy there - I am in EU, so it is much cheaper to buy locally.

ags2mikon · Jan 20, 2025

There is an ebay seller in Italy that 3d prints Graphic recessed lens boards for the pacemaker cameras. I bought one for my pacemaker-speed graphic. It fits fine in my camera but I haven't mounted a lens on it yet, and haven't tried it on my Super Graphic.

Lens board change on Graflex Super Graphic

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