Hi, I just purchased a Crown Graphic 4x5 off of Ebay. the serial number is: 966405. could anybody tell me the age of this camera? Everything appears to work just fine, exept when i press the shutter release button on the body. it appears very stiff and it wont move the cable enough to trigger the shutter on the lens. It dosent spring back into place very well either. could it need some lubrication? Im new to not only these type of cameras, but its also been awhile since i was into photography. i saw some photographs taken with this type of camera, and they are amazing. any help you could provide would be appreciated.

1962 by serial number. look under the rails or on the inside left fo an alpha code for a more accurate date

Thank you Gandalf. When you say under the rails, or inside to the left, do i have to take the camera apart to get to the Alpha code, or is it visible using an inspection mirror? thanks

http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/manufacturing-code.html

If no code is on the bottom of the first crossmember of the rails when looking at the lens then look along the inside of the body with the bed open to shooting position. No disassembly required but a mini mag light will help.

I looked all over inside the body with a pen light, and on the bottom of the rails, but i still found no date code, its kind of a mystery. But some good came of it all, i discovered why the body trigger was so stiff and unable to activate the shutter on the lens in the front, and was unable to spring back. i discovered that the cable witch is like a long spring, or metal covered bicycle brake cable, was kinked. i straightened it with 2 needle nosed plyers as best as i could, and tho it is still a little stiff, it is functional, and activates the shutter. I had to bend the little tab in the front just a small ammount as well. i think lubricating it would help. does anybody know what a good lubricant is to use on this cable? thanks everybody.

Silicon or Teflon spray lube. Goes on wet, then dries so it doesn't get gummy or attract dirt.