Just got my very first Graflex. It's a Crown Graphic 45 with a Kodak Ektar 203mm lens and Graflok back.
I have dated the lens to 1956 but I don't think it is the original - because the camera has a side mounted Kalart Rangefinder (which according to the info on this website was discontinued in 1955). The serial number is 911109 which I estimate will be around 1954 - can anyone confirm this?
Anyway, I'm waiting for some film to arrive so I can use the camera and see how it performs!

Cheers
Simon

I had a new Kalart rangefinder mounted on a "Century Graphic" in 1960, so they were still available then, at least as parts inventoried by the Graflex service organization.

Is your rangefinder adjusted to your 203mm. lens? (That is a very good lens!) Does the camera have the appropriate viewfinder mask (#9, I believe)?

If the RF and VF are set up for the lens, you have a rather unusual outfit. Most 4x5 press cameras were fitted with 127 or 135mm. lenses (semi-wide for the format) or 152 or 162mm. ones, classically "normal" for the format. The 203mm. lens on your 4x5 will give you angular coverage and perspective representation about like a 58mm. on a 35mm. camera (a very useful focal length, in my opinion).

Bruce,

give me a call at 248 478 5196 in the evening (Eastern time) and we can talk through everything.

Les

The focusing scale should be numbered 30881-27 [on the back] for that lens. It's the outside scale, not the inside.

The rangefinder isn't adjusted to the 203mm lens and the viewfinder doesn't have the correct mask! Seems I've got a bitser!!
I'm getting an Ektar 127mm (the VF mask is correct for that lens), so I'm not sure which lens to set the camera up for.

The masks are not particularly hard to come by, if you decide you need the one appropriate for the 203mm. lens. Your choice of which lens is to be the primary one will depend on the kind of work you want to do, and your preferences regarding field of view and perspective. When you get the 127mm. lens in place, why not put the camera on a tripod and try some comparison photos, using the groundglass?

Good idea - I'll do that! Can anyone confirm the date of my Crown Graphic - please??

When you decide to discard that 203 Ektar, please throw it toward Wyoming.

1956

Thanks Gandolf!