Graflex.org

revert · Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 2 Location: New Mexico

Just recently picked up what appears to be an anniversary 4x5 speed graflex. The serial number on the plate where is gives tension number and rear curtain table on top of the camera reads 25060 ( in pretty small print). It has a 135mm Tessar 4.5 lens on it. The serial on the lens is A116713 The back flips up to show ground glass. I'm not entirely sure how to operate this bad boy either. First off, there must be some sort of film back to go with these? I must be missing that. I see that you are able to pull the right side of the camera (looking from back) to put a Darkslide or film back in. There is a knob on the right side that seems to operate the shutter curtain. What button is used to release this. The lens shutter itself seems to be working great. However, when you press the shutter shouldn't the rear curtain drop down? I dont see how you would ever be able to get a 1/200th out of this. That is the top shutter as well 1/200th. I thought I read the anniversaries went up to 1/1000th. Another thing is, I am unable to cock the shutter when in T or Bulb. Any tricks to this? Would really like to try this bad boy out, aesthetically it looks GREAT. Oh and I picked this up for 80 bucks.... good deal? Thanks everyone

mopar_guy · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 12:51 am Post subject:

Welcome,
Member Rich S. of this board has some manuals on his web site:

http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/manual-pdf/Anniversary.pdf

Regards,
Dave

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

If your front shutter is an od Compur, DO NOT try to cock in for T or B. You'll break it. For time or bulb, just trip it without cockng.
When using the front shutter, the rear shutter curtain must be open. That would be "O" in the little peep hole by the winding key. The operation of the rear shutter is very simple. It's a combination of curtain slit openings and tension numbers. The Anniversary model has 24 possible speed combinations, all set out on the tag attached to the camera. Be sure to store your camera with the tension set on 1 and the curtain closed.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

revert · Joined: 31 Jul 2009 Posts: 2 Location: New Mexico

Thanks for the link to the manual. VERY helpful indeed. I did manage to figure the bulb out on my own, can't deny that I thought I was doing it completely wrong though. Ill make sure I leave the tension on 1 and the rear focal shutter not on O. Great advise, since I did leave it open over night. Seems like it was on A its whole life though.

Oh and any information on the HR flash syncs?

mopar_guy · Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 2:05 am Post subject:

Fifty or sixty years ago when Anniversary Speed Graphics were commonly being used, the term "flash synchronizer" was used to describe the flash handle used with a solenoid to trip the shutter. The general theory was that pressing a button on the flash handle would fire the flash bulb and trip the solenoid and open the shutter. If you could give a slightly more detailed description of what you have and any specific problem, I am sure that someone here can give you some help.

Regards,

Dave
_________________
I guess that I could get a digital camera but it would be obsolete in a couple of years (three tops). Or I could use my 3x4 Anniversary Speed Graphic. Heck, it's been obsolete for 50 years. That's way better than digital.