Graflex.org

[pv17vv]

Hi all,

Now I own a GV II, I have a few questions.

1 What is the thickness of a "true" Graflex lensboard ? I expected the 4x4 Anniversary boards to be compatible but they seem too thick. Or is it just a matter of adjustment of the chrome bar at the bottom of the standard ?

2 The four diagonal braces at the top of the standards have a pair of notches. I understand the lower one materializes the vertical position of the standard but what is the purpose of the upper one ?

3 Do I need to remove the bellows from the standards in order to re-cement the outside (red) pleats easily ? I have read a previous post about this repair but couldnt' find anything about removal.

4 Bellows are a deep burgundy red. Pics I see on-line often show a much more bright kind of red. Does the vinyl get darker with age ?

5 I think I have read somewhere that the knobs of the diagonal braces are kept in place by a LH screw to avoid losing them. Can someone confirm ? Is this screw a standard machine screw, and if yes which reference ?

Thanks a lot.

Georges

PS1 Serial # 467295, I guess early '50s.
PS2 I have the repair manual, courtesy RichS.

[JohnF]

I'll take a stab at a couple:

1. A Graphic View & View II has a lens board 1/8" thick w a slight 45 degree chamfer at the bottom edge.. In order to use an Anniversary camera lens board or any of the other press type boards you need an adapter. They can be easily found on eBay.

2. I have the original View which pivots from the bottom, your View II pivots along the lens axis. I may be wrong but the notches identify the normal and maximum tilt points.

3. : (

4. Bellows should be a nice deep burgundy. It may darken with age but I doubt that since my 1896 5x7 Rochester is very close to the same color.

5. : (
_________________
Simplicity is the essence of brilliance

[pv17vv]

Thank you.

[45PSS]

#5- Illustrated Parts Breakdown; figure 1, index 4- screw machine, knob retaining, #2-56 left hand.

#1- adapter boards were made for using Pacemaker and Super Graphic lens boards on the View. Anniversary boards will need the bottom edge chamfered to 45 degrees to the inside if square.

#3- The bellows are attached to the standards with screws, IPB figure 1, indexes 14 and 15. If the work you plan to do on the bellows is accomplished easier with the bellows separated from the standard then remove them. Otherwise I would mount the camera on a steady workstand or tripod, set the standards to each end of the rail, remove the focus panel and lens board, then work thru the openings.

#4- Put your camera under 2 to 3 500 watt or brighter hot lights or photograph it using 2 or 3 500 watt second strobes on color film or digital. I'm betting the bellows will look much lighter red under these lights.

late 1949 to very early 1950.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[pv17vv]

An Anniversary board fits now I removed the strips of black felt some previous owner had glued on the light trap to shim a thin non-original lensboard.
Thanks for the replies.
Georges

[JohnF]

Glad you're on your way. Good luck with the bellows repair.
_________________
Simplicity is the essence of brilliance