Need some help with a Graflex RB Auto

[Sirius Glass]

I am have some questions/problems with a RB Auto Graflex 3.25"x4.25" that I just purchased. Who at APUG [or elsewhere] do you know that can give me some advice?

I have been looking in graflex.org. I did not find an answer there.

This is the situation:

I had the front open with the lens focused.
The hood was open.
I pressed the H lever so that the mirror is down.
I set the slit on 1/8
I set the tension on 2 or 3
I released the shutter on the left
There was a quiet thump as the mirror went up but the shutter curtain did not move.

I can only turn the slit from 1/8 to 2/8, but I turned the tension to 1 while I am waiting to figure out/find out what to do.

What do I do now?

Steve

[jnanian]

hi steve

i don't have the auto but a series d

there is a little slider near where the "recock the shutter" lever is
it slides back and forth and has a little T on it for time/ timed exposure.
and it allows the mirror to go up and you pull on the shutter lever.

if the shutter is not moving at all when you manually release it,
maybe you need to tighten the spring ...
put the shutter ( both ) on 0 and lie it on its side
look for a nut that is kind of rounded and unscrew it ...
there should be a slotted threaded screw
put a screwdriver in the slot and turn clockwise.
it it doesn't turn
you have to unscrew the plate and unscrew the lock bolt
and then turn it a few turns.


good luck !
john

[mwdake]

As John pointed out you may have the T/X slider on T.
I have an RB Series B and if I mimic the settings you chose I get the same thing, mirror goes up but the shutter does not move.
Slide the slider so the T is hidden and the X is revealed on the opposite end of the slider.

good luck

[Fotoguy20d]

I have an RB Series D and can confirm that it behaves the same way with the slider set to T (but mine has an I on the other side). If that isn't the problem, I have an RB Auto Tele arriving any day now and maybe I can figure something from it.

Dan

[jon koss]

Hi Sirius - A Graflex curtain will not wind on properly unless you lower the mirror again. Also, if you are already at 1/8, then you are at the end of the curtain. If you are winding anywhere from 1/8, then you are winding backwards, which is not good. And of course you may have the slider switch in the disengage position to boot. Feel free to PM me and we can walk you through things.

Best,
Jon

I am have some questions/problems with a RB Auto Graflex 3.25"x4.25" that I just purchased. Who at APUG [or elsewhere] do you know that can give me some advice? There was a quiet thump as the mirror went up but the shutter curtain did not move.I can only turn the slit from 1/8 to 2/8, but I turned the tension to 1 while I am waiting to figure out/find out what to do.[/INDENT]What do I do now?Steve

[mwdake]

but mine has an I on the other side

Mine too says 'I' not 'X', I wasn't looking right.
I think old cameras were made for younger people than me with better eyesight.

[jnanian]

mine is the same way I ...
and it doesn't stick anymore (at I)
so i have a twig stuck in there to keep it
from always sliding over to B

[Sirius Glass]

I have an RB Series D and can confirm that it behaves the same way with the slider set to T (but mine has an I on the other side). If that isn't the problem, I have an RB Auto Tele arriving any day now and maybe I can figure something from it.

Dan

The T is hidden. I can only see the I.

Steve

[erikg]

Steve, can you slide that lever? There is also a release just behind that lever that allows the shutter to drop, it should work with the slider in either position. You may need to wind the tension knob, there may not be enough tension from the spring to move the shutter. That's easy to adjust if that is the case. I have the same camera, lots of fun.

[Sirius Glass]

Steve, can you slide that lever? There is also a release just behind that lever that allows the shutter to drop, it should work with the slider in either position. You may need to wind the tension knob, there may not be enough tension from the spring to move the shutter. That's easy to adjust if that is the case. I have the same camera, lots of fun.

I think that there is not enough tension in the spring.

Steve