Graphic View II hints for someone new to LF

[jmain]

I just bought a Graflex Graphic View II with the following description:

Graphic View II With Graflok Back. The ground glass is an expensive gridded replacement and has a fresnel screen for added brightness. Also included is a really nice Ilex Paragon Anastigmat 150mm on an working Ilex Shutter. Included is an original Graflex Compendium Lens Shade.

I am new to LF and hope this will be a decent camera to start out with. I mostly shoot landscape and exterior architecture in MF now. Any hints or comments on this camera/lens/shutter combo?

Thanks

[juan]

It should be a good combination for you. Check out the Graflex.org website for a lot of information on all of the cameras. I used a Graphic View I for a good while before switching to 8x10.
juan

[Jim Noel]

You seem to have a great combo with which to learn, and later. Many of us cut our teeth on one of these. It has plenty of movement for most images and is light and easy to use.

Have Fun!

[Bill Mitchell]

"I am new to LF and hope this will be a decent camera to start out with."

Not just to start out with, but you may never need another monorail camera.

[Alex Hawley]

I firmly agree with Juan and Bill. Sounds like a very sweet setup. You can play around all you want to with various lens combinations, but as far as the camera body is concerned, newer monorails don't offer much that's better. I started LF with a GV 1; still have it too.

[John Kasaian]

It sounds like a fine combination!

[Lee L]

One quick word of caution in case you decide to attempt any disassembly for cleaning or the like. IIRC, there may be left hand threaded screws on the partrs on the underside of the monorail, and you can snap the heads off with too much torque.

Someone please correct me if my 25 year old recollection is faulty.

Lee

[2F/2F]

The only LF camera I like more than that exact camera is a Linhof or a Sinar. They are wonderful cameras. Solid, lightweight, cheap, and plentiful.

I sold mine when I got my Sinar, but it was my only LF camera, and my second camera ever, for years. I never would have sold it if it had a Graflok back, however. I used to take it many, many places in a standard (meaning non-photographic) backpack.

Learn how to use shifts instead of tilts and swings to control convergence, and you are set with more movement than you will likely ever need.

One must-have accessory is the press to monorail lensboard adapter. I say this because you will no doubt want a Graflex press camera one day. They are so versatile and cheap, and provide such amazing image quality that I think every photographer in the world should have one. Even though I sold the camera, I kept my adapter, as I plan on getting another some day.

[jmain]

Thanks all for the comments, especially the note about the possible left hand threads on the hardware!