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Super Graphic back

 
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Grammpa



Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Pacific North-West

PostPosted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello. I have a problem that someone here may address. If you seem to understand me, I can email photos of what I am talking about.

I inherited a trunk full of camera gear, a lot related to graflex cameras. Roll film backs, holders, etc. I had a clean speed with a "23" back, that I probably let go for alot less than its value.

So. My Super Graphic. I was trying to open the rear.... please, forgive me.... and the door came off. Then while examining the door and glass plates, the hood door came off. I did not see any parts fly off. I am left with some, and it looks simple. I just can't see it. Two chrome arms, hooked onto the door, held down by metal "tongues" in the door, and the whole thing held to the camera by sliding locks.
But, I cannot get the arms in. Too much resistance in the 'tongues'. I can't see how the tabs on the arms are slipped under the tongues.
And the door window cover/hood. I see fine springs. But no place that indicates a missing part.

Is there a website, or dealer that can help me? I am in Sacramento. I would like to fix the camera and be able to offer it to someone.

Also, the camera has not been touched in maybe 10-25 years...yet, if I hit the red button once in a while....am I hearing the solenoid fire? I am not sure exactly which Super it is. It has a Rapax Wollensak 135mm f/4.7 lens, serial #991287.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Rick
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45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Grammpa Rick,
Quote:
My Super Graphic. I was trying to open the rear.... please, forgive me.... and the door came off. Then while examining the door and glass plates, the hood door came off. I did not see any parts fly off. I am left with some, and it looks simple. I just can't see it. Two chrome arms, hooked onto the door, held down by metal "tongues" in the door, and the whole thing held to the camera by sliding locks.
But, I cannot get the arms in. Too much resistance in the 'tongues'. I can't see how the tabs on the arms are slipped under the tongues.
And the door window cover/hood. I see fine springs. But no place that indicates a missing part.

Look at the back of the camera. There is a sliding bar at the top and bottom of the bellows opening assuming that you have the back oriented in the landscaspe position and the film holder insertion slot on the right as you hold the camera to shoot, if it is not then push in on the lever at the top left of the camera back and while holding it in, rotate the back so that the opening is horizional with the solid end on the left open end on the right. The back will turn either direction.
Now slide the bars so that they are at their futher most distance from the film opening.
Next lay the focus panel (the part with the ground glass) on the back so that it lays flat and is about 3/16 to 1/4 inch to the right of center with the chrome slide locks to the right, press in on the knurled sections of both of the chrome arms (they go in about 2/3 of the distance above the focus panel they normall rest at) and while holding them pressed in, slide the focus panel to the left and release the chrome slide locks when the focus panel is centered on the back. Verify that the focus panel is correctly attached by pulling away from the camera body on the focus panel tab(s) on the right as if to insert a film holder, it should have some resistance and spring back into position when released. The chrome slide locks may be rusted and need a drop or two of 3 in 1 oil to help free them up.

Now the dark hood that pops up to shade the gorund glass has a release button at the center of the bottom edge. With it off the camera, look at the left and right edge of the landscape positioned ground glass. There are the spring fingers that hold the ground glass in place and just above the center of those fingers is the other part of the assembly that forms the retainer spring that hold the pop up hood on. Position the pop up hood (closed) over the ground glass and press in on the sides above the spring locks. The pop up hood should snap in firmly, if it slips in and falls out easily then remove the focus panel by pressing in on the chrome lock levers and sliding the panel to the right. Turn the panel over and look at the groundglass retainers, loosen the screw(s) a half turn or so, slide the hood retainer toward the ground glass and tighten the screw(s) and try attaching the popup hood again. It should fit into the focus panel firmly and require a fair amount of pressure to pull it off without damaging it.

Quote:
Also, the camera has not been touched in maybe 10-25 years...yet, if I hit the red button once in a while....am I hearing the solenoid fire? I am not sure exactly which Super it is. It has a Rapax Wollensak 135mm f/4.7 lens, serial #991287.


Looking at the rear of the camera, at the top right just under the serial number is the battery door. Press in and to the right to remove it. Under it are 2 Eveready #412 22.5V batteries. They are available from Radio Shack. The solenoid that you hear when the red trip button is pushed is under the bottom edge of the front standard.
Now look at the bed of the camera. If the camera was not equiped with the 1000 speed shutter lens from the factory the top of the bed when closed and the top of the front standard (where the lens board mounts) will say Super Graphic. If the camera was equiped with the 1000 speed shutter from the factory it will say Super Speed in both places.
Next open the bed of the camera and run the rails out so that the first crossbar of the rails clears the bed. Now look at the bottom of the crossbar. The date code will be letter-digit-letter(s). The date code link as well as more information on the Supers is located Graflex.org-cameras-Graflex Graphic Casmera History-Super or Super Speed Graphic.

Charles



[ This Message was edited by: 45pss on 2007-01-20 19:32 ]
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Grammpa



Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Pacific North-West

PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sir, I could kiss you. The camera is whole again. There was an issue that confused me, but I decided to plunge in and pull up the metal springs to place the tabs of the arms under them. Once I did that, it was 2 seconds and I had the door on. I did not know it rotated. It is smooth with no hang ups. I found the battery door. There is no serial number, or name above it. Just the camera shell, then the view finder mounted on top. It is probably my understanding. Sadly, when I pushhed and slid the battery door over, it cracked. It did not come apart, and I did not put alot of pressure on it. There are 2 batteries, that look old. If$3.00 each is old. Maybe the camera was used more recently. I only found the patent info (5 numbers given) on the inner top (from the front, above the bellows)...and the serial number on the back of the lens. I am afraid that I would have to remove the bellows to see what you are pointing out. Looking at the lens, I am assuming that this is not the 1000 speed, but just a Super Graphic, as I can see printed out on the body. Everything is Graflex. The viewfinder, the power cable for the strobe. It is clean, just a bit dusty. The lens is clear, no fungus or scratches. The body is pretty much abrasion free pebbled surface, except where it has small sections where it is pulling up and out from the edges (I mean small.....1/16" lifted, maybe 1/4" long in 2 places). Leather strap. The focus panel hood...I saw the problem...the tabs were upside down. My fault. I wanted to see why there are 2 sheets of glass. So it snapped into place, though I was worried about the screw stripping. It even has some metal tool, in a slot on the inner upper front of the body. It sits on top of a small diagram of it self, kind of wedged in. No idea what it is.
I found a photograph of my mother in the service. She is holding a camera like this, I can see that the strobe plugs into a battery pack she wore...though the cable plug looks like a wall plug.

All in all...I give this camera an excellent rating. It may be not as old as the war, but it is great looking.... in one piece. Now I am faced with putting it on Ebay, or holding onto it for memories. I had tried to auction it before, as is...and the highest bid was about $350. Looking at the Speed '23' I sold, I know that it went for 1/2 of it's value. I don't want to do the same thing with this camera. I want a collector, an enthusiast to have it, not someone looking to make a buck.

If some one has a question, my email is ricul7 @ yahoo.com. I can email photos. I also would love to find the serial number. It would help 'place' this camera.

Thank you so very much. I have been trying for a while, trolling forums and boards....

Rick
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Grammpa



Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Pacific North-West

PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have looked all over. I ran out the rails, there is nothing printed. Also, as for the pebbled surface, I was wrong. In one place it is curled up about 1/8" and it is about 1.5" long, the rest of the camera, you can see it pulled out a fraction from the edges, but it is not curled up.

I guess I will hop the web and try to find a demo of what you have told me. Thank you again.

rick
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45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 10:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hold the camera as if you were going to shoot but with the focus panel hood closed. Now look at the edge of the camera on the top right, the metal edge of the camera box above the battery door and below the viewfinder, a six digit number should be stamped into the thin edge of the camera body.
The batteries are now $8 ea. when ordered from Radio Shak, a store might stock them if enough demand exists in your area but doubtfull.
When you put the ground glass back in did you A). put the plastic "ektalite Screen" {graflex speak}, fresnel [common terminology], in first (closest) to the lens with the ribbed side toward the ground glass and the frosted (etched) side of the ground glass toward the ektalite screen? If not cnhange it to this pattern or the focus will be off. If the fresnel and groundglass are dirty wash in warm water with dishwashing liquid using only your fingers to rub them with, rince and allow to air dry. When washing the fresnel rub the riged side in the direction of the ridges only and never across them. Use PhotoFlo in the final rince if you have some.
$350 sounds normal for the adverage Super in Very Good to excellent condition, they have droped about $100 over the last few years. Do a completed item search for it and see what they have been going for recently. I have 3 working and 1 parts Super Speed(s).
Charles
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Grammpa



Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Pacific North-West

PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you. I believe there is no number stamped. Your instructions were very clear.
If you are online, and happen across this, I am going to find an old website I believe is still up, that I can post pics of the edge you are talking about, as well as the camera on, and you do not need to reveal your email. I would add them to an auction item at ebay, but everything is drawing to a close. I do not want to mistakenly have the pictures in the bidders summary. I will look, and come back. Maybe I am wrong about the camera type.... I am just reading what it says on the front.
As for the screens...oy, vay. That is where all this trouble started! But, I know how to put them together now, so no prob.
rick
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Grammpa



Joined: 20 Jan 2007
Posts: 5
Location: Pacific North-West

PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/ricul7/album/576460762386325048

I hope it works. I set permissions to public, and I will leave it until you can, or someone else can see what I am saying.

No matter what... this website is great. I did not see how Graflex was a huge but forgotten part of our past.
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45PSS



Joined: 28 Sep 2001
Posts: 4081
Location: Mid Peninsula, Ca.

PostPosted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, I've looked at the photos, played with a few of them in photoshop, and conclude:
A). This is a classic example of Graflex Corporation's only consisenty, there is no consisenty in the production of their cameras.
B). Someone ground the serial number off, but there does not appear to be any indication of grinding on the edge where the serial number usually is.
C). A History of Graflex list the Super as being introduced in 1958 and the Super Speed in 1961. One of my Super Speeds serial number dates to 1958. This is an early production 1958 and the serial number is consealed elsewhere on the camera. Try under the cam door, under the top inside the battery compartment, on the or under the terminal strip cover, other obscure places.

One plus I see is the origional Super Graphic lens board. The optical viewfinder has a mask that should slide out the top of the viewfinder that appears to be for a 6x6 which would be used with a roll film holder.

Latex/neoprene based contact cement works well to reattach the leatherette to the body. Elmers pro bond contact cement, Weldwood nonflamable contact cement are the ones I'm familuar with.

Perhaps some of the other Super owners will know where the serial number is hidden.
Charles
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Rick from OZ



Joined: 05 Jul 2006
Posts: 40
Location: near Melbourne, Australia

PostPosted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 11:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey, I had enough trouble finding it on my mine (and it was where you guys said it should be !)

The pricing sound realistic for a good condition Super. Mine isn't as good but cost less than USD$100- (minus a focus panel).

Rick from OZ

[ This Message was edited by: Rick from OZ on 2007-02-22 03:42 ]
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