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Age of x2 Graphics,please!
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Graflex Sid
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 221
PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 6:14 pm

Greetings from London-I wonder if someone out there would kindly give me the ages of x2 Quarter plate SPEED GRAPHICS which I have,excellent condition I will say.
The first is No.751020,this has an OPTAR 135mm f4.7 lens,a Hugo Meyer rangefinder,and a Graphic Spring Back.
The second camera is No.752395,this has an Kodak EKTAR 127mm f4.7 supermatic(X)lens,a Kalart rangefinder,and a Graflok Back.
Thanking you in advance..
Sid.
Gandolf
Joined: 26 Dec 2001
Posts: 328
PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 7:48 pm

The first is No.751020,this has an OPTAR 135mm f4.7 lens,a Hugo Meyer rangefinder,and a Graphic Spring Back.
The second camera is No.752395,this has an Kodak EKTAR 127mm f4.7 supermatic(X)lens,a Kalart rangefinder,and a Graflok Back.
Thanking you in advance..

both of these were made in '49 and are 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 or SHOULD be (Graflex didn't always keep good records)

Ektar lenses also have a date code

C A M E R O S I T Y
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

Thus '49 would have a serial number starting with EC XXX
Graflex Sid
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 221
PostPosted: Fri Jan 10, 2003 11:16 pm

Thank You,Gandolf.
Yes,you are right both are 31/4 x 41/4,known in old terms as Quarter Plate size.
The EKTAR lens is marked EI,that makes it made in 1948...bringing to the sale date as you kindly mention-1949.
Gone half a century and still working strong where other cameras have bit the dust-will today's Digital bodies and lenses last that long?.
Long live the Graphic..
Sid.
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