Modifying RB Graflex Series B

[Jeremy]

The Series B Graflex cameras don't have interchangeable lensboards, but I was wondering if anyone has done any manipulation to these bad boys to allow lens changes. I figure changing once isn't a problem as I can take off the old lens and permanently affix another in its place, but what if I want to go back and forth between a couple of lenses?

The barrel lenses in question are:

7 1/4" f/4.5 Kodak Anastigmat (the lens on the camera)
7" f/4 Verito
Bausch & Lomb iib 5x7 tessar (~160mm f/6.3)

 

[waynecrider]

I have the Auto Graflex which I believe is the predecessor to the B and I have interchangeable boards set in a large standard. I'll be working on mine so I can use Graphic boards with longer lenses.

I see from looking at an example on Ebay that there are four screw heads(?) sticking out. Are they rivets or screws?

To throw an idea out from just looking at it, can you cut a board out of cherry, drill shallow holes at the places where the heads are so the new board will sit flat to the standard and either use a magnet on back of the cherry or a small spring clamp (home depot) to hold the new lens board on? Might not look good but would probably work. Might need some felt for a light seal.

 

[freygr]

I have the Auto Graflex which I believe is the predecessor to the B and I have interchangeable boards set in a large standard. I'll be working on mine so I can use Graphic boards with longer lenses.

I see from looking at an example on Ebay that there are four screw heads(?) sticking out. Are they rivets or screws?

To throw an idea out from just looking at it, can you cut a board out of cherry, drill shallow holes at the places where the heads are so the new board will sit flat to the standard and either use a magnet on back of the cherry or a small spring clamp (home depot) to hold the new lens board on? Might not look good but would probably work. Might need some felt for a light seal.

Magnets as a general rule there will not be sufficient magnetic material with only four small steel screws to hold a lens, and no holding power at all if the screws are brass! Besides you have to make sure there is sufficient travel in the focusing assembly. To check you can always mock up using cardboard and duck tape to test. If it works you can alway make a wood or metal adapter.

 

[waynecrider]

Magnets as a general rule there will not be sufficient magnetic material with only four small steel screws to hold a lens, and no holding power at all if the screws are brass! Besides you have to make sure there is sufficient travel in the focusing assembly. To check you can always mock up using cardboard and duck tape to test. If it works you can alway make a wood or metal adapter.

Look again. I believe the front is metal isn't it?

Btw, I've got a very small and very powerful magnet that I can't hardly get off the fridge. I could easily implant it in a lens board and believe me it would hold a lens.

 

[darinwc]

It should be fairly easy to make a lensboard mount.
If you at all handy with tools.

If the hole in the front standard is large enough to not interfere with any of your chosen lenses, then all you need are some brackets to hold a lensboard over the hole.

Ace hardware has strips of brass available inexpensively.

 

[freygr]

Look again. I believe the front is metal isn't it?

Btw, I've got a very small and very powerful magnet that I can't hardly get off the fridge. I could easily implant it in a lens board and believe me it would hold a lens.

The newer computer hard drives have rare earth magnets in then, and yes they will hold almost any lens but where the magnets are have to have sufficient steel to hold to. My gut feeling is the RB is a wood, leather covered camera. Other materials and methods are required.

 

[waynecrider]

The newer computer hard drives have rare earth magnets in then, and yes they will hold almost any lens but where the magnets are have to have sufficient steel to hold to. My gut feeling is the RB is a wood, leather covered camera. Other materials and methods are required.

They are leather covered wood cameras; Except for the lens board. Pull up Ebay and take a look at one.

The magnet idea was that, just an idea. For a quick fix use a small spring clamp from Home Depot till you figure out a better mounting method. Having the camera in hand will be much better to see various possibilities.

 

[JackGreen]

I saw a Graflex B modified in that way yesterday. It was a 2x3 version. The previous owner had simply removed the front mount lens mount from the geared track and attached what appeared to be the front of a graphic to the track with screws up through the end of the track. The flap was gone and the camera couldn't be closed any longer. It was obviously not original but it seemed to work.. Sort of a sad thing to do with an oldy like that. The whole rig ( it isn't mine) is probably for sale if any one is interested
Jack

 

[Jeremy]

Jack, that sounds interesting and I don't have a problem modifying the camera so I can use it as I need to, but one of the boons of the camera (to me) was the ability to close it into a box.

The verito is actually smaller than the 7 1/4" anastigmat so I'm just going to mount the verito to a piece of small hobby board. Place it so the back of the verito barrel goes into the camera and then just gaffers tape the hell out of the piece of board to get it to stay in place. The hobby board will have some felt on the back to keep everything light tight. This will allow me to switch back and forth from the verito and the anastigmat with a minimum of work/modification. If I decide to shoot with the verito a bunch then I'll take darinwc's suggestion and use some brass to make some brackets.

 

[Russ Young]

Hi Jeremy-

On my 4x5 Super D, the 7" Verito will NOT focus at infinity but the 7.5 inch will.

Russ

 

[Jeremy]

Hi Jeremy-

On my 4x5 Super D, the 7" Verito will NOT focus at infinity but the 7.5 inch will.

Russ

This shouldn't be a problem as I don't plan on shooting at infinity with it, but now that I think about it, it may be a 7.5" (fingers crossed!).