New 'plaything': Graflex Graphic 35

[goldfinga888]

Hi there,

Just received a Graflex Graphic 35 .. Anyone else here have one of these?

Mine's in quite good condition overall, visibly clean inside and out (much better after a bit of 'elbow grease') and has definitely seen some use but no abuse.

The quirky 2 button focusing system is pretty neat and very quick to get used to - although tripping the actual shutter takes a bit more practise. In order to take a photo, the shutter has to be 'cocked' first by a lever in the lens (this doesn't happen when winding on the film). The film winder only works when there's a film in the camera, so testing without a film mean having to have to back open and manually turning the film-wind-on shaft.

It has 2 viewfinders: one is the 'scene' and the other is the focusing/rangefinder viewer. The rangefinder window is incredibly small! (4mm x 2.5mm)

Another 'oddity' is that the film speed only appears as ASA (either ASA 10, or ASA 30-35).

The lens is a 'Graflex (R) Graflar 50mm f/3.5 - F/22.

Shutter speeds are: '300', '100', '50' (in red), '25', '10', '5', '2', '1', & 'B'

Unfortunately the aperture blades stay open at '10', '5', '2', & '1'.

(Definitely more 'elbow grease' needed! read - CLA)

After some more investigation I've seen that the front lens has some tiny/minute scratches, although not easily seen from the front. I don't know how much this will affect the quality of the pics, but I'll soon find out as I'll be putting in a film this weekend and taking the camera for a test drive. (I found these 'scratches' by opening up the shutter at 'B' setting and looking through the lens from the back)

L8r shooters,
Chris AKA goldfinga888

 

[goldfinga888]

Hi sitemistic! Thanks 4 replying. The shutter doesn't bother me so much as the tiny scratches on the front lens. I've seen one of these available as 'spares' for a few bucks (the postage to me in Spain is the killer though!) and I'm tempted, even only just to dismantle it to find out were everything is, and where everything goes. Other than that the option of buying a repair manual would help.

Whether I'm technically able to do a CLA ... hhmm.. well 'overhauling' cameras is a relatively new 'activity' for me (I'm a pro-musician (guitarist) and have many years of experience in modifying and building my own guitars, amps, effect units and gadgets ... I also dismantled a VW Golf GTi right down to the last screw and put it all back together with no problems! (but that's another story!) ... I'm currently 'overhauling' an Olympus Pen-EE (stuck aperture blades & non-reliable selenium cell).. with the added idea of re-painting and re-covering it. Although in comparison to the Graphic 35, the 'machinery' appears a lot simpler in the Olympus!

Cheers!
Chris

 

[goldfinga888]

Just a quick update, in case anyone reads this and would like to comment 🙂

Received another Graphic 35 'as spares or repairs' this morning... essentially it's the same camera - the only difference is that inside the camera body, the name of the camera, patent details and Company are 'printed' (ink stamped) in white on the lower part of the body, while my first one the details are actually molded ('relief cast') on the removable back.

The shutter doesn't trip on this one... that's probably why the seller advertised it as 'spares or repairs'.

It also came with a filter holder attached - when I unscrewed the filter holder, the front part of the lens unscrewed also! This lens is in great condition, and is just what I need for my first Graphic 35!

Added to that, this one came with a leather case which is in great condition (no cracks, scuffs or anything)... just right for my 1st Graphic 35 as I didn't have a case for that one.

This 2nd Graphic 35 will be 'investigation' piece, i.e. dismantle everything!

L8r shooters!
Chris

 

[hanskerensky]

Hello Chris,

I see that you have some Graflex Graphic 35's. Would you mind having a look at this picture from a Graphic from one of my Internet contacts ? He just wants to know the position of a gearwheal at different diaphragma-settings (wide open and fully closed). : http://www.flickr.com/photos/35960028@N03/4928306917/in/pool-camrepair

Your help is appreciated !

Regards,
Hans

 

[hanskerensky]

Hello Chris,

Just found out that my Internet contact has a Graphic 35 Electric (also known as the Iloca Electric) which seems to be a quite different camera then yours so i guess you're not able to answer his question.

Regards,
Hans