Merry Christmas to me!

OptiKen · Dec 22, 2015

After spending way too much time thinking about it, I bought myself a Christmas present. (notice how I said that like I needed a special occassion and so now it's ok?).

It's an Anniversary Graflex in 3X4 size. I settled on 3X4 because it's cheaper than the popular 4x5 (since they don't make film for it anymore) and because it uses the same holders I have for my Maximar 207/7.

It was $80 and appears to be in much better shape than the picture shows. Everything works so I only need (2) more things before I can start my journey down the Speed Graphic road: 1- film 2-figure out how to use it.

I'm excited. It's going to be a fun winter

shutterfinger · Dec 22, 2015

http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/Anniversary.pdf

k.hendrik · Dec 22, 2015

http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/

shutterfinger · Dec 22, 2015

Take Jo Lommen's repair tips with a big grain of salt. He tells you how to get it going, not how to repair it correctly.
1/2 step above a jister IMO.
He does not improve on http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/AnniversaryService1.pdf but falls short.
He does not associate himself with http://www.graflex.org/ a better source for information.

OptiKen · Dec 22, 2015

Thank you all for the links
I'm learning a lot

Sirius Glass · Dec 22, 2015

Check out www.graflex.org/helpboard/

Nice camera

howardpan · Dec 23, 2015

I wonder if you need to cut your own film or if you can buy off the shelf from Fotoimpex. https://www.fotoimpex.de/shopen/sys...eet films&cache=1450850097&nocache=1450850097

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

HiHoSilver · Dec 23, 2015

Bravo Ken. You have more courage than I - or your doctor told you you have too much time & money.

'Hope it puts alot of smiles on your face & some great work on your walls.

ChuckP · Dec 23, 2015

How do you fit your Maximar holders on that? Are you talking Zeiss holders or something else you use on the Maximar?

peter k. · Dec 23, 2015

Lovely camera, have the same model, vintage 1946.
Also have a 4x5, which is usually put on a tripod, as the 3x4 is lighter, and I use it more like a press camera. My 3x4 was my dad's which I resurrected several years ago, and love it for that reason, and the awesome shots I've made with it.
You can special order film this spring from Ilford, but unlike many.. I cut my own, and it has never been a problem, don't understand why why so many shy away from this, but because they do, the 3x4's, can become bargains.
I don't have a dedicated dark room, so use a dark bag to cut and load film in.
Some who do cut their own film, cut a whole box of it at one time, I on the other hand, take the holders I want to refill with a particular film type, and cut those, and load the film holders all at one time.
I use a paper cutter with a guide that is set, and with a template, that cuts 3/4" off of a 4x5 on two edges, gripping the film on this short edge, that will be discarded. Also, making sure not to cut off the notch code...

OptiKen · Dec 23, 2015

ChuckP said:
How do you fit your Maximar holders on that? Are you talking Zeiss holders or something else you use on the Maximar?

The holders that came with my Maximar are Zeiss holders. I had mostly picked up my Maximar for everything that came with it - a hard case filled with the camera, a 120 roll film back, (2) 9x12 film sleeves, and 10 double 3x4 carriers. I would like to find some 9x12 double carriers for it if they would fit.

OptiKen · Dec 23, 2015

howardpan said:
I wonder if you need to cut your own film or if you can buy off the shelf from Fotoimpex. https://www.fotoimpex.de/shopen/sys...eet films&cache=1450850097&nocache=1450850097

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am not familiar with that site. Thanks for the link.

So far, I've been cutting my own from 4X5 sheet stock

shutterfinger · Dec 23, 2015

and when you turn the camera upside down with the bed open and the front standard/bellows in the body the serial number will be on the right side of the bottom of the top.

OptiKen · Dec 23, 2015

HiHoSilver said:
Bravo Ken. You have more courage than I -

The courage was in telling my wife about it. There, I got lucky. Just when I was trying to figure the best way to approach it, she said, "I bought myself a Christmas present for $100", with guilt all over her face. I just replied, "It's ok, Honey. I just spent $80 on a Christmas present for me, too"

Sirius Glass · Dec 23, 2015

I give myself presents whenever I want all year.

mhcfires · Dec 25, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
I give myself presents whenever I want all year.

I just got me a new to me Alien Bees B800 for a good price. Merry Christmas to me!

m

Sirius Glass · Dec 25, 2015

Slim pickings this season:

Three Route 66 Hawaiian shirts
$50 Gift Certificate at FreeStyle
Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe 8"x10" 250 sheets
Ilford Delta 3200 120 film 10 rolls
Kodak Portra 800 120 film 10 rolls
Hasselblad 500mm lens with lens hood, lens case and polarizing filter

I still need a Skylight KR1.5 filter, a yellow filter, an orange filter and a red filter for the lens.
May be next year will be better.
<<sigh>>

OptiKen · Dec 25, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Slim pickings this season:
Three route 66 Hawaiian shirts
$50 Gift Certificate at FreeStyle
Ilford Multigrade IV RC Deluxe 8"x10" 250 sheets
Ilford Delta 3200 120 film 10 rolls
Kodak Portra 800 120 film 10 rolls
Hasselblad 500mm lens with lens hood, lens case and polarizing filter

I still need a Skylight KR1.5 filter, a yellow filter, an orange filter and a red filter for the lens.
May be next year will be better.
<<sigh>>

Looks like a full tree of fun for me

Sirius Glass · Dec 25, 2015

OptiKen said:
Looks like a full tree of fun for me

Are you now walking around with one leg longer than the other?

OptiKen · Dec 25, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Are you now walking around with one leg longer than the other?

..one leg longer than the other.....other what?

Sirius Glass · Dec 25, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
Are you now walking around with one leg longer than the other?

OptiKen said:
..one leg longer than the other.....other what?

I am pulling your leg.

OptiKen · Dec 25, 2015

Sirius Glass said:
I am pulling your leg.

Merry Christmas to me!

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