I think I have a Graflex Anniversary Camera. At least it looks like the picture of the Graflex Anniversary Camera as far as I can tell. It has a metal button that pushes down near the front of the camera opposite the leather carrying handle. When I push it down nothing happens. I have looked for a bump under the leather, but there is no bump on this camera.

What picture are you referring to?
Home page>cameras>Graflex Graphic Model History>Anniversary Speed Graphic= http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/anniversary-graphic.html .
If this is the type camera then while pressing down on the button pull outward on the focus knobs.

If it is similar to the one in the Super D http://graflex.org/articles/series-d/ article then you have a Graflex SLR. Some SLR's open when the focus knob is advanced, others have an external latch that you release to open the bed and another for the view hood.

You can post a picture of your camera by uploading the picture to a image hosting site then linking to it here or using the in forum link provided by the image hosting site.

Hi,

I have to admit, I too am a little confused about the type of camera you have.

If you have an Anniversary Speed Graphic the 'secret bump' is on the top of the camera near the front.

If it is a later Pacemaker Speed Graphic the bump is in front of the side handle, up near the top.

If the camera is a metal bodied Super Graphic or Super Speed Graphic the focus knobs must be rotated slightly to release the track from within the body before lowering the door (bed). There is no release button on these cameras.

Where is the handle on your camera? On top? Running left to right or fore and aft? On the side?

Cheers,
Bruce

This shows how much I know. I went back and reviewed the photos on this website again and realized that it is a Pacemaker Speed Graphic:

http://www.graflex.org/images/simpsons-sears/pacemaker-toprf-speed-75.jpg

I am not able to turn the knobs. If you are looking at the camera lens the handle is on the right side and is vertical down the side of the camera.

I really appreciate the help on this. Sorry for the confusion.

It is possible that the focus knob(s) have been turned downward as far as they will go jamming the rails against the top of the camera body preventing it from opening.

Try turning the focus knob(s) upward while pushing inward on the top edge of the bed. They will be tight and hard to turn and only need to move 1/8 inch or so.

The release button is under the leatherette covering either on the top of the camera behind the Graphic insignia in the chrome band around the body edge and in front of the rangefinder housing or, as you look at the closed bed, the top right side above the focus knob. It may feel like a soft spot in covering.

The lever you were pushing on that is on the opposite side of the handle is the body shutter release.

This guidebook may be of some help:
http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/TRFPacemaker.pdf

And now that Camera Eccentric is back up
http://cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_4.html
is a much cleaner copy but you have to save each page seperately, in IE right click and select "save picture as".

AAAAH! There is a little bump on this camera and it does work! Amazing. Thanks for all the help. Unfortunately there is no lens on the camera! However it does have a regular film holder and a roll holder.