Hi.

I have just aquiered one of these beasts, and it looks in generally good condition, (I have checked the bellows as best I can fron the rear), but I can't get the front to open.

Is there a knack to it, or is it a chineese puzzle like the Mamiya C330's film back?

I have tried the silver slide button, it gets 3/4 way down but nothing releases.

Update, this I now believe is a late Crown Graphic with top viewfinder with little red button. Any help on opening this would be appreciated, iven if it pointers on dissasembling the latch.

Rob.

Many models of Graphic cameras hide the release button under the leather (leatherette?) covering. Look for a bump in the leather at the center of the top or high on the left side of the camera near the front edge. Pushing this button until it is flush with the camera body should release the front of the camera.

C. Henry

The button is under the leatherette, looks like a pimple. Sometimes pushing the bed in slightly to relieve the strain on the catch helps.

Thanks both.

I now have it open, I was right it was a bit of a chineese puzzel. The camera looks in excelent condition. Really quite plased.

Once again thanks for the pointers.

Rob.

I have cleaned everything I can, the front carriage now moves nicely along the entire length of the rails, the range finder plunger seems stiff/stuck, but there is no way I'm going to mess with that. My only issue now is the lack of a dark slide. I know the wooden ones from my MK1 View don't fit. I was wondering is the more standard slides such as Fidelity may be OK.

Camear Sr No 945274.

Really don't want to wast time, effort, and money sourcing something that will not fit.

Any advice appreciated.

Rob.B.

From what is your dark slide missing? The camera itself doesn't need a darkslide, only film holders, be they sheet or roll.

Les wrote:

From what is your dark slide missing? The camera itself doesn't need a darkslide, only film holders, be they sheet or roll.

Sorry I ment film holder, I have dark slides on the brain at the moment as my wife has managed to drop on for my Graflex View on the floor while I was cleaning the holder before loading, then I ran over it with a chair (office type). Not the end of the world as I have 9 - now 8 and a half DS carriers for that beast.

The issue is I have no carrier for this Crown, and I need to sort somrting out.

Rob.

Graflex Graphic, Fidelity, Lisco and numerous "brand x" holders will fit your camera. Modern or old, wood, plastic, metal will all fit. There are a few cameras out there that take their own special holders. That's what you need to watch out for and avoid. It sounds like your camera is a 4X5 (5X4 in the UK) format. Just don't buy any old Graflex holders with the slotted sides. Those will not fit your Press camera. Your local camera shop should be able to help you.

The camera itself doesn't need a darkslide, only film holders, be they sheet or roll.

As they say-- two countries separated by a common language. Rob's use of 'dark slide' to mean 'film holder' is common in the U.K. Specifically, double film holders are often called 'double dark slides' or just 'DDS'.

glennfromwy wrote:

Your local camera shop should be able to help you.

You are kidding, Camera shops in the UK are staffed by 12 year olds who don't even know what 120 roll film is!

Rob.

I guess things are the same the world over.