R.b. Graflex - Series B

I picked up this rough beauty today and started playing with it but I can't seem to figure out how it works. The A dial seems to be jammed, does anyone out there know how to fix it or know of a manual?

Check out
http://graflex.org/RBGraflex/

And
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/graflex/graflex_series_b/graflex_series_b.htm

I have the same camera, it is one of my favorites.

Is it a 3x4 (looks like it)? I have one, a slightly newer model I use with an 8-exp. rollfilm holder, which can be found on the auction site if you're persistent and patient. On 6x9 the 6-3/8 lens works well for portraits, especially with that uncoated lens.

The Instruction manual is here: http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_8.html and is linked at the heading of the Reflex Help section header of Graflex.org help board also referenced in post #2 above.
You need good to above average mechanical skills to service these cameras. I can provide instructions if needed. The serial number is behind the view hood stamped into the view hood lid along the top edge, it should be 6 digits.

mwdake said:

Check out
http://graflex.org/RBGraflex/

And
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/graflex/graflex_series_b/graflex_series_b.htm

Click to expand...

What he said.

shutterfinger said:

The Instruction manual is here: http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_8.html and is linked at the heading of the Reflex Help section header of Graflex.org help board also referenced in post #2 above.
You need good to above average mechanical skills to service these cameras. I can provide instructions if needed. The serial number is behind the view hood stamped into the view hood lid along the top edge, it should be 6 digits.

Click to expand...

Also what he said.

I'm playing with an RB, series B right now -- the firing sequence is not complicated but you do have to follow the steps -- push the lever on the right down to lower the mirror, wind to the selected shutter slit, aim, focus, get ur hand out of he way of the swinging lever, fire, etc. Don't forget to take the dark slide out. Wind the film. Cock the lever, Wind the camera. Amazing they managed to shoot news with these things.

fun shooters. Dim to look through though -- I'll be using slow film just so the lens is open wide for focusing.

If you look for a roll film back, be careful to get one for graflex, not graphic -- it has to have a groove, not two small raised ridges, on the film side where it mates with the camera, to go over that ridge.

these are especially impressive cameras to carry around -- a friend and I are going to take ours to Salt Lake City next week for a day of shooting just to impress people.

If (big if, but to me it looks like one) it is a 2x3, be aware that early 2x3 roll holders marked Graphic will fit both Graflok (on Speed/Crown/Century Graphic press cameras) and Graflex (on Graflex SLRs) backs. They are marked Graflex 23, have a ridge at the far right end of the shell (where the dark slide inserts) and a groove near the right end of the gate. See http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_1.html

Your camera is pre-1947 or so, possibly pre-WW II. Starting no later than 1947 RB Ser. Bs have the shutter speeds plate on the side of the body next to the tension adjustment.

If it seems to be jammed (shutter will fall, can't be wound back up) check the "T-I" slider in the release. It is normally set to "I," see the manual for a better explanation.

shot this with my B today -- not sure how old it is -- pre-war (uncoated kodak lens). Shot it on Arista EDU 400, which is not my favorite film, some fuji across ought to be better. Anyway, this is a sample:

not sure how old it is

Click to expand...

The serial number is behind the view hood stamped into the view hood lid along the top edge, it should be 6 digits.
Post it.

shutterfinger said:

The serial number is behind the view hood stamped into the view hood lid along the top edge, it should be 6 digits.
Post it.

Click to expand...

very very late reply but here it is 156222

ok so I have this camera torn apart and the fabric of the shutter curtain was stuck to the rollers and that is why the shutter was stuck. Is there a source to show me how to tension it properly? I would like to use the camera for a portrait series I want to do that is based off 1930's-50's era style/equipment. I have some other cameras that are newer and I can make work like a hassy 500 and rb67 as well as a tachihara 4x5 that will probably be my main camera for the project buy I would like it to be as authentic as possible. Old glass old film ect... Though it would be great to fit the lens in the graflex to a copal shutter for the 4x5 but I don't have the money and dont even know if its possible.

Your late 1926 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 RB Series B has pin holes in the curtain in the area where it was stuck and the entire length needs to be checked. These threads,
http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=5624
http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=6578
will help with your repair.

With the curtain at O properly positioned over the film opening, top curtain aperture stay above the top film opening guide roller to the top center of the top curtain roller, install the wind plate and secure with two screws diagonally from each other.
With a screwdriver that fits the tensioning roller slot through the tensioning roller opening in the tensioning plate, tension indicator at 1, turn the tensioning roller shaft counterclockwise 10 turns then mesh the roller gear with the wind gear and secure the plate with two screws diagonally from each other. Wind the curtain to the 1/8 aperture and run down with the L lever 10 times. Turn the tension up to 6 and repeat. Reduce the tension to 1, put a screwdriver in the tension roller slot and remove the tension plate slowly releasing the tension on the roller. Check the O opening position and correct if necessary. Reinstall the tension plate setting the initial tension to 6 turns and check shutter operation.
1. The shutter should close and lock, wind key will not turn opposite the wind arrow, with the camera in any position including upside down.
2. With the tension set to 6 the curtain should wind to the smallest aperture.

To correct condition 1 failure increase initial tension 1/2 to 1 turn at a time until it does.
To correct a condition 2 failure reduce the initial tension.

The tension spring condition will determine the initial tension required for condition 1 to be good. Normal initial tension is 6 to 8 turns, heavy wear or very weak spring 10 to 12 turns. 14 or more turns indicates a problem with the rollers, bushings, or guides.

There is no guarantee the speeds will be as specified on the speed plate so test the speeds with a shutter speed tester.

Wow, I was not expecting it to be that old... thats awesome! Thanks for all this great info, it will make my life easier (or harder) can't wait till I can hopefully have this thing running again!!