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1A Graflex shutter repair. Bert?

 
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medform-norm



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Europe

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 4:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi everyone,

we're new here on this forum. We have just acquired a (1916?) 1A Graflex with a really nice 5" Ross Xpress lens. Serial number 107184. Yes, from ePay. The camera is in a good condition, but of course the shutter needs replacement. IThe shutter itself is still in one piece, it has just dried up and is very stiff. It can still move through the camera, but with a lot of manual guidance and encouragment from the owner. We guess it is time for a new shutter. In itself not a huge problem, but we have no experience with Graflex shutters (only with Optika/Rittreck curtain shutters and smaller stuff). We thought we could remember a post somewhere on the web of someone who sold replacement shutters, but we can't find that link anymore. Perhaps you guys might know who that is?

When no such person exists, we would like to ask mr. shutter authority Bert Saunders if we can contact him, as he seems to know just about everything when it comes to shutter repair.

We are located in Europe (so please no links to local US based nice repair places! - that would just make us jealous). We know where to find Microtools when needed.

Last question: is there something special we need to pay attention to when unscrewing the screws on the top of the camera? Are there springs that will pop up, unroll and launch themselves out of the camera onto our floor? (It wouldn't be the first time that we have crawled on all fours looking for a very tiny yet essential camera part).

Very last question: why does there seem to be so little info on the net about this camera? Have we bought a camera that is so much disliked by the rest of the world that nobody wants to mention it? Even here on graflex.org it is hard to find posts on the help pages about this camera and its maintance, manuals and repair. And we would so much like to know more!

Thanks y'all for spending time and thoughts on this!

medform-norm

[ This Message was edited by: medform-norm on 2005-02-16 08:52 ]
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bertsaunders



Joined: 20 May 2001
Posts: 577
Location: Bakersfield California

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Happy to help any way I can Medform-Norm!
Email me at BSAUNDERS1@BAK.RR.COM (lower case of coarse)and ask any questions you might have! I have instructions for fabrication if you need them, and the "where" and "what" to get, to make a replacement! Do you have the means to send photos of the camera....sometimes helpfull to >see< repair problems...sometimes year to year update model changes make it difficult to give repair advice also, photos help....and being in Europe makes it expensive to ship back and forth!
Seldom find anything that will "fly" when removed on any of these cameras, but suggest a white bedsheet underfoot would save a lot of wear and tear on the knees!!
This camera was an expensive "Browne" type camera, and few of them are left...they originally sold for $100/#125...being so rare that few fellows have ever seen one, so info is as rare as the camera is!
Looking forward to your email.....Bert

[ This Message was edited by: bertsaunders on 2005-02-16 09:42 ]
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medform-norm



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Europe

PostPosted: Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Bert,

that was a fast reply! Will follow up on your suggestions & continue this by mail! Will send digipics of the new baby - hopefully this weekend or anytime soon when we have time! Thanks in advance.

medform-norm
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medform-norm



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 3
Location: Europe

PostPosted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

With Bert's help we are now in the process of restoring our 1A Graflex. It needs a lot of bigger and smaller repairs and re-adjustments.

We had no idea the 1A Graflex was so rare, seeing it was relatively cheap to buy. We, too, have noticed, that info on this camera is very hard to find. That is why we wonder if anyone here on this forum would be interested in seeing more of the inside of the camera or knowing more of our repair adventure. If so, we would be willing to make a 1a Graflex section on our website. Okay, hands up!, those of you who want this info!

Perhaps someone still has a manual for this camera, that he's willing to share with the Graflex community? We could put up scans of it on the website too.

As the repairs haven't been completed yet, we can not yet post any photos taken with the Ross lens. We don't even know if it is the original lens for this camera. Material evidence seems to suggest otherwise: the white infinity mark is not placed on the right spot for this lens.
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