Graflex Series D...

[ChristopherCoy]

I went to a local antique shop, and they had this on the shelves. Apparently it was bought along with a hundred or so other cameras from a collectors estate. It has NOT been tested for working conditions. However I thought it looked like it was in fairly good condition.

It's priced at $350. I haven't bought it but I'm contemplating it.

I'm going to go do some research on it now, but I wanted to get some input from those of you who may have one or currently use one.

[werra]

Be prepared to replace the shutter curtain. Other than that, lot of fun as walk-around camera. And lot of exercise as well
The hood looks to be OK.

[rbeech]

From the photos it appears that the lamb's wool on the viewfinder is intact. This camera was well cared for. I would bet most of the functions work.

Check to see what size film it takes. Series D was made in at least 4 different sizes.

[ChristopherCoy]

It's a 4x5 I think. The lens is a Tessar 4x5, or at least that's what it states...


How would I test the shutter? Should I test the shutter? I'm not a big fan of the you break you buy policy.


Are the expensive to repair?

[E. von Hoegh]

That's an RB, (rotating back) series D Graflex. I had one, and they're a ball to use. The shutter curtain may be good, may not. It's about the only weak point. Better go to the Gaflex site for particulars, mine is long gone and I'll leave out some important step on setting the shutter speeds. Looks like the 3 1/4x4 1/4 version.

[erikg]

I shoot with these. I would just take a look at the shutter curtain, I wouldn't wind anything unless I was prepared to buy. Take the film pack holder off and look at the cloth. It is a rubberized material, if it seems smooth and flat and still flexible (as best as you can tell) then the camera probably can be made operational fairly easily. If the curtain seems dry and cracked, then I would walk away unless you want more of a project.

[werra]

Well, yeah, for the project and 3x4 $350 is a bit too much as well.

[jnanian]

i also have a seris d rb
best 5x4 camera i own, lots of fun
perfectly weighted and easy to work on
if you need to retime the shutter on your own.

i would ask the owner of the shop to give you a "demonstration"
of the shutter, so if there is a problem it is on his dime ..
sometimes the metal edges on the slots get bent and jammed up
so the shutter doesn't wind ...
if the shutter was stored wound up, there might be some issues too
with the master spring being stretched. but that is easy to deal with
when you retime the mechanism ...

have fun !
john

[ChristopherCoy]

The lens says its a 4x5, what makes y'all believe this is a 3x4? Not that I don't trust you, I'm just curious so that I'll know for futures sake.

[jnanian]

The lens says its a 4x5, what makes y'all believe this is a 3x4? Not that I don't trust you, I'm just curious so that I'll know for futures sake.

it could just be a larger lens the owner put on the camera
it wouldn't be hard to figure out what format it is, measure the opening
of the film pack ... or the back of the camera.
film holders for that type of graflex are bigger than "modern"
film holders, they are slotted. there are grafmatic backs, and bag magazines
that are made for that camera as well as adapt a roll roll film holders ...
if it is a 3x4 sometimes the film holders &c are difficult to find, 4x5, not so hard ...

good luck !
john

if you buy it, look around for a dead version of the same camera so you have
something to steal parts from ...