Graflex.org

Ronrut B · Joined: 24 Aug 2010 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

Hello,
I was wondering what year my R.B. Auto Graflex is. The serial number is:
106383 I would Like to know the year or about the year, or if you don't know I would like to know where to find out. Thanks!

-- Ronrut B

45PSS · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject:

Graflex did not keep good records. They listed the serial numbers by production batch then built the cameras as needed by demand. They listed s/n's for years before putting any date to them. In 1960 they started putting a date code on some of their products. The last surviving administrator took the log book of serial numbers and put guesstimate dates to the early numbers before he passed on and gave a few copies to select people, some of which shared the copy. The God of Graflex will curse your camera and cause it to disintegrate or cause you to waste film if the DOM is known

. Being you are willing to risk it your camera was at the begining of a batch of 500 3x4 RB Autos that were built sometime around 1920.
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The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

Sirius Glass · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 8:14 pm Post subject:

Between 1916 and 1920

Steve
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Ronrut B · Joined: 24 Aug 2010 Posts: 35 Location: Arkansas

Thanks both of you for a quick reply. The only thing that has decentegrated so far it the leather handle. The rest is fine.... so far

I havn't shot any pictures with it yet though, because the only back I have for it is a Kodak pack film back. I have ordered a polaroid 405 back from ebay for a bargin which should be here sometime this week hopefully. It works, but I have no clue how to use it.

I think I have an idea of how to work it though. It has a really cool lens on it, it's a Tessar 1:4,5 f = 18cm Carl Zeiss Jena Nr. 361118. It is sooo cool because you can unscrew it and clean the 2 elements of it. It also weighs a TON! I have only had the camera about half a month, I got it as a b-day present. I think the # on the chart is the 1/______ shutter speed. then you set it as it says then the apature is a regular apature. Thanks again!
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Thanks!
Ronrut B

Sirius Glass · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: Thanks