Graphlex XL

[theburk]

i was wondering if anyone knew where i could find a graphlex xl with lens and back in working condition? when i get the money together ill probably go on ebay, but i want that to be a last resort. i want one for a good fast shooting camera for conditions that a rollei would be too slow to focus with, action stuff like say a festival or sporting event. using the rollei for general purpose as i have been. ive looked in to the mamiya press, but the graphlex has the ability to use tons of graphlex accessorys including 4x5 and a nice range of zeiss lenses.

 

[JayD]

You might get some leads from Graplex.org http://www.graflex.org/

Jay

 

[dazedgonebye]

I've got an XLSW and I've found parts here and there for project camera ideas based on the XL, but overall, mostly things have been on fleabay.
I did see a guy with a one lens kit on craigslist, but he wanted $500, which seemed high to me.

 

[theburk]

I've got an XLSW and I've found parts here and there for project camera ideas based on the XL, but overall, mostly things have been on fleabay.
I did see a guy with a one lens kit on craigslist, but he wanted $500, which seemed high to me.

naw that sounds about right and i saw that too, its more about wether or not its clean.

 

[chrish]

i just found a graphlex xl in my grandpas basement tonight. I happened to notice it and say holy crap thats a huge camera. He has the xl multigrip and thinks he has the sport finder somewhere and has the 58 and 80mm lenses for it and one film back. Too bad I only have a coolscan v ed. I've never made prints and only scan my films.

 

[dazedgonebye]

i just found a graphlex xl in my grandpas basement tonight. I happened to notice it and say holy crap thats a huge camera. He has the xl multigrip and thinks he has the sport finder somewhere and has the 58 and 80mm lenses for it and one film back. Too bad I only have a coolscan v ed. I've never made prints and only scan my films.

That's a nice bit of kit to find.
Go forth and shoot!

 

[spyder2000]

i want one for a good fast shooting camera

My $0.02 - the Graflex XL, while a fine piece of gear, is not the fastest of the older MFRF's. The separate film advance and shutter cocking can catch you technically as well be an impairment to fast shooting. For similar money you could buy a Koni- or Rapid- Omega or just plain Omega 100 or 200. These are really fast in use and do not have the same body lug issue the XL does.

The XL is a fine camera, please don't get me wrong, and you can use 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 sheet film or a Polaroid back with it too.

 

[bythesea]

Lucky me I have both - a Super 23 flat-top, with a 75,

then just last week I found an XL kit with RH-10 back and the 100mm F3.5.

No grip with it, I fancy a right hand grip rather like the Chester Burton model shown on the graflex.org page. And a 58mm if one comes around.

 

[Roger Hicks]

My $0.02 - the Graflex XL, while a fine piece of gear, is not the fastest of the older MFRF's. The separate film advance and shutter cocking can catch you technically as well be an impairment to fast shooting. For similar money you could buy a Koni- or Rapid- Omega or just plain Omega 100 or 200. These are really fast in use and do not have the same body lug issue the XL does.

The XL is a fine camera, please don't get me wrong, and you can use 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 sheet film or a Polaroid back with it too.

Seconded. I have one, with a grip, modified to accept Mamiya RB magazines (not difficult, and vastly superior to the awful RH-10) and the rather nice 80/2.8 Rodenstock. If you put one of the electric Mamiya magazines on, it's a bit faster, but not much. I've not used it in years.

On the other hand it's a tougher camera than the Koni-Omega -- abuse of the push-pull wind-on is far from unknown.

Another possibility is the Linhof 220 or (if money is no object) the Linhof Press.

As for the price, expecting to pay much less than $500 seems a little optimistic to me.

Cheers,

R.