Go Go Graflex! Resources for Graflex cameras

January 9, 2022

As you may know, I am a fan and user of Graflex reflex cameras, so much so that I am the admin for the Flickr Group Graflex SLR. These are great cameras to use, but they are also old cameras and so they require some TLC, service and repair from time to time. Happily, there are many great options for repair and replacement parts, cool mods, and improvements. I'll share a few things I've found, and I’d love to hear about anything you've discovered.

I love using Cut Film Magazines, otherwise known as Bag Mags, even more so now that I can get replacement leather bags. These magazines work better when the bag isn't dry and stiff. This ebay seller offers new bags you can install yourself, and often has refurbished magazines as well.

Next, Holgamods made a viewfinder magnifier frame for 4x5 cameras. This frame is a 3D printed piece, and it doesn't include the magnifying lens itself, which is a common treaded close-up filter. It works quite well.

An alternative idea for a magnifier is a sheet fresnel magnifier like these from Amazon. Inexpensive and easy to trim to fit.

Viewing hoods are often in bad shape, and I've seen many different approaches to the problem. If you are like me and would prefer to stay with a hood like the original, here are two options:

This one is listed for 4x5 cameras, but they make some other sizes on request. It works well, but it isn't a close match in terms of materials. You will have to transfer the metal parts from your existing hood.

The next hood is one I have recently received and installed, and I am very impressed with the quality and the appearance. The eBay seller will make one to order for all Graflex models, as long as you can supply measurements. Here is mine, custom-made for my Series C 3x4. Like the first, you must transfer the metal parts from your old hood. It looks and works great, and what a pleasure to be able to see the full ground glass.

Looking to make a new shutter?

Aki-Asahi in Japan has the material; look for the rubber/nylon type at the bottom of the page.

I will share my own adventure making new shutter curtains in a future post. In the photo you can see the old and dried-out curtain I removed from an RB Auto and the new material from Aki-Ashai below it. It comes in a width wide enough to make two curtains, which is what I did, this shows the fabric just after I divided it in two.

Whether its a big repair or just a tune-up, it is satisfying to bring a 90-year-old camera back to life, I highly recommend it.

Here is a PDF of my shutter repair notes with the dimensions of the 3x4 curtain.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cradbo5kzdzgmyw/Graflex%20repair%20notes.pdf?dl=0

Five [+2] Sheets with Shanghai GP-3 - Shutdown 1 Edition

December 30, 2020

2020 is winding down, and good riddance. December is a good time to scrub the decks, wash our hands, and sweep out the old. With that in mind, I’m posting this piece from the first shut down. I’m now in our second shut down as we enter what we hope is the home stretch to saner leadership and the new normal, whatever that might be. I wish everyone health, happiness, and success in endeavors, both big and small.

It began as it often does with a camera. In this case, a 3x4 Graflex Series C. I will restrain myself from extolling its virtues but suffice it to say I love this camera, and while roll-film backs are handy, I desired to use it in all its 3x4 fullness. Ilford makes film this size (3 1/4 x 4 1/4) in their annual special run, but the price was a bit beyond my budget. I wasn't quite ready to go down the road of cutting down 4x5. As of yet, more on that later. On Facebook, I came across a Hong Kong dealer who offered Shanghai film in several unconventional formats, so I contacted them about the 3x4. Yes, they have it, and as the price was excellent, I impulsively ordered 600 sheets.

On to testing: The film doesn't come with much data, but no matter. I planned to use my go-to developer, Pyrocat HD. I loaded up a few sheets, exposed them at EI 100, and developed them in Pyrocat 1:1:50 at 9 minutes at 20º C. Not bad, but pretty contrasty, and the shadows were thin. On the next round, I went with EI 80, developed for 8 minutes. Much better but still rather contrasty. If you like high contrast, this film will certainly get you there. One more round at EI 64, developed for 7 minutes. It looked good, contact printed well, so there it is.

When the pandemic hit, I had the opportunity to photograph just for myself, albeit close to home, and I found that to be a centering experience. I engaged with scenes near home and focused the tumult of anxious emotions into something tangible, a welcome respite. Also welcome, the "something tangible" was having the opportunity to make prints from these 3x4 negatives and to get a better feel for this film. These photographs are all 7x9 inch prints on Oriental Seagull FB paper. My conclusion is that GP-3 is quite lovely, with fine grain and the capability to render a full tonal range.

One final note on this film, just before our shutdown, I had a test shoot with some friends in the daylit studio as a trial for a portrait shoot that was not meant to be. With an EI of 64 and lenses ranging from f4.5 to f2.9, my shutter speeds fell on the dangerously slow side. So now I've invested in a guillotine-style cutter to chop down faster emulsions for the next studio round. Cameras lead you down many unexpected paths.