Hello,
I am new to large format, and I just purchased a Crown Graphic outfit. I am trying to determine what year my camera was made so I can get the appropriate user manual for this model year. The serial number is 976183, I do not see any other markings. I've poked around, and think it might have been made in 1963-1964 but I am not certain. What I am sure of is that this camera has hardly been used.

Other than a user manual, I only want for a cable release, some filters, and another lens. My interest is old farms. The lens that came with this camera is a Wollensak Optar 135mm f/4.7.

will the best I can tell from shutter finger list it looks like a 1964

look for a Ektar WF 100mm or Ektar WF 135mm
or a 90mm super angulon, 105mm Georg-Leitmeyr Weltwinkel,
I just got a 108mm Raptar Wide Angle have not used it as of yet
so I can't say much as of yet how good it is yet

don't like the optar & raptar 90mm as they don't have alot of movemts
BUT if you don't need any movemmts thay are OK

banjo

Nice kit.

Run the yoke forward until the cross member closest to the serial number plate is beyond the end of the bed. Turn the camera up side down and look carefully at the bottom of that cross member. There is most likely a 3 character code: Letter Number Letter. They are ink stamped, the ink fades, and cleaning can remove them completely. Some are very visible while others are very faint and can only be seen if the light is at the correct angle or under high magnification.

If you find a date code then go to http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=3321 (in the site discussion forum) and date your camera. Date codes were applied in production and are more accurate than serial numbers.

http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_4.html
you have to save each page separately, or click on the graflex manuals link at

http://www.southbristolviews.com/

Standard cable release available at camera stores will fit the shutter.

The Date Code is A5A, which if I am correct, is as follows:
A = January
5 = 1965
A = The 1st revision of that run.

1banjo wrote:

will the best I can tell from shutter finger list it looks like a 1964 look for a Ektar WF 100mm or Ektar WF 135mm or a 90mm super angulon, 105mm Georg-Leitmeyr Weltwinkel, I just got a 108mm Raptar Wide Angle have not used it as of yet so I can't say much as of yet how good it is yet don't like the optar & raptar 90mm as they don't have alot of movemts BUT if you don't need any movemmts thay are OK banjo

Thanks for the suggestions on which lens to buy.

Much appreciated!

Yes, you are correct.