Model ID Of Kodak/Graflex 5x7 View

leighmarrin

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Joined
Aug 8, 2008
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28
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35mm
I have a 5x7 view camera which has a rear label saying Made For Kodak By Graflex Inc., but no model number is given. Its backs interchange with a 5x7 B&J, although the aligning pins are smaller. Most of the knobs are tarnished brass, but three knobs appear to be more modern aluminum replacements.

Looking at pictures and descriptions of the various models of wooden 5x7 Kodak view cameras, mine looks closest to the 2D model. However, mine has locking side shift on the front standard, unlike the several 5x7 2D models I found online. Also, mine uses a 4x4 inch lensboard, not the 4.5x4.5 lensboard that appears to be standard for the wooden Kodak 5x7 models.

So was there a specific model number for mine, or is it just a 5x7 2D "variant"?

Thanks in advance.
 

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abruzzi

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I would guess its a 2d. when I got mine some time ago, I came across lots of info on different variants, including different size lens boards (mostly on the 8x10 version, but if they had multiple sizes for the 8x10 lens boards, than I would expect different sizes on the 5x7 model wouldn't be surprising.) Normally the model identifier plate was on the lower cross piece on the front standard. I also looks like the plate on the rear is actually on the 4x5 reducing back, which could mean that its actually one of the other very similar brands (wasn't the 2d originally a Century or some other brnad that was acquired by Kodak?) I've also seen other brands like Seneca that look almost identical.
 
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leighmarrin

Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
28
Format
35mm
Hi, I've looked at pictures of the Seneca, Century, Gundlach and others, and mine looks closest to a Kodak 2D.

Tonight I noticed that the wooden part of the front standard that holds the 4x4 lensboard is not original. It has a lighter finish and is not as well-finished as the rest of the wood parts, so perhaps someone had an Anniversary Speed Graphic and wanted interchangeable lensboards. So that explains why it does not use the usual 4.5x4.5 lensboard that all (most?) 5x7 2Ds have.

Mine has a serial number in the usual Kodak 2D location, on the left side of the rear standard. Can someone look up the Graflex serial numbers to see when serial number 406562 was made? Thanks.
 
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