My 'new' Graflex RB 2x3

OptiKen · Jan 17, 2016

I'm excited!
This weekend I restored a Graflex RB 2x3 I picked up on eBay and was able to modify a roll film holder to fit the Graflex back (the holder was for a Graphic style but was only $20 so I took a chance). I also received (1) Graflex 2x3 double sheet film holder for $7.50 (wish I could find a dozen at that price).
The shutter on the camera was very sticky and needed an extra nudge to get it to fire. Surprisingly, everything I did to try to fix the camera worked and it seem right-on now. First shots look wonderful to my eye. Sharp with wonderful contrast. I really am liking the 4x5 Bausch & Lomb f4.5 lens.

This shot is a bit out of focus and a tad over exposed because it was taken through a dirty window but I like it. I posted two other test shots in the gallery.
This camera is fun to use.

Sirius Glass · Jan 17, 2016

Welcome to the world of Graflex! Enjoy!

OptiKen · Jan 21, 2016

More excitement (for me).
I found a Grafmatic back for my 2x3 on eBay for $17.50 (a steal in my mind) which will hold and rotate 6 sheets of film. Since I only had one double sided film holder this is 300% better - more shooting time.
The Grafmatic back is amazing to me. After finally figuring out how it works without breaking it, I ran it through a few times for practice in the light and it works flawlessly.
Great timing, also....sheet film arrived yesterday.

shutterfinger · Jan 21, 2016

Download the service manual for your Grafmatic and save for future reference. http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/Grafmatic23Service.pdf
They occasionally need to be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled.

OptiKen · Jan 21, 2016

shutterfinger said:
Download the service manual for your Grafmatic and save for future reference. http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/Grafmatic23Service.pdf
They occasionally need to be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled.

Thank you!

Sirius Glass · Jan 22, 2016

Another place to gain information: www.graflex.org and www.graflex.org/helpdesk

mhcfires · Feb 10, 2016

OptiKen said:
More excitement (for me).
I found a Grafmatic back for my 2x3 on eBay for $17.50 (a steal in my mind) which will hold and rotate 6 sheets of film. Since I only had one double sided film holder this is 300% better - more shooting time.
The Grafmatic back is amazing to me. After finally figuring out how it works without breaking it, I ran it through a few times for practice in the light and it works flawlessly.
Great timing, also....sheet film arrived yesterday. [/QUOTE

The Grafmatic backs are great! I have three for my 2x3, they can be used with both the Graflex SLR and the 2x3 Speed. It is a great little camera. Enjoy.

m

tessar · Feb 11, 2016

You might want to look into getting an 8-exposure rollfilm back (made to fit the Graflex back, not the Graflok back). These are relatively rare, but I managed to find one on the auction site after some patient searching. These let you use standard 120 film, easier to find than 2 x 3 sheet film, cheaper too.

tessar · Feb 11, 2016

Sorry, forgot to post the link that clearly explains the above:
http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/features.html

My 'new' Graflex RB 2x3

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