Crown Graphlex, cracked ground glass

[BrianShaw]

The side mounted viewfinder (not used by a lot of people these days) will almost certainly need renovation - adjustment and beam splitter renewal.

Not to quibble, but I know more people who use a rangefinder than don't. It is a very sueful tool. They are surprisingly durable and may be usable as is.

[goamules]

Ask the seller to meet you half way! Then it's not a bad drive, and not a bad price! All the Kalart rangefinders I've used on Graflex cameras worked fine with no repairs needed. They last and last and last...

[IanG]

Ask the seller to meet you half way! Then it's not a bad drive, and not a bad price! All the Kalart rangefinders I've used on Graflex cameras worked fine with no repairs needed. They last and last and last...

All 4 of mine need refurbishing (two are spares), just a new semi-silvered beam spitting mirror though, so I think you've been lucky. I already have the glass it just needs cutting.

Ian

[Kevin Crisp]

Seems like a good price, a very good price. Replacing the GG is not a big deal. It looks unmolested and has the side rangefinder, which I prefer.

[Michael Graves]

I'm going to disagree with Otto (no offense intended, Otto). If it was in my area, I would buy as you describe in a heartbeat for that price. You can probably shoot with the cracked GG forever. But if you are like me and annoy easily, a few sheckels will get you an amazingly good replacement from Steve Hopf.

[Peter_Jones]

I have to say, it seems a decent price - you can either put up with or replace the glass, and when you go to buy it take a camera with you then you can also have a photographic day out

[dsphotog]

Looks good to me, I'd give $150 for it.
Run the shutter through the range of speeds, if it has problems, offer $100-125.
Although $150 is not bad even without a lens.
Just get a more modern lens.

[Otto Seaman]

Hey I told him it wasn't that great a deal for one without a lens, before he showed photos of it with a lens included. The lens is worth $50-$75. I'd probably get it too with the caution about determining whether there is or was a fresnel or not, and how that changes the position of the replacement ground glass.

[illumin8em]

The Speed model with focal plane shutter is often to be preferred as an enormous range of barrel lenses can be used.

Would this be considered a step up in camera? I knew the name, but honestly didn't realize it was 4x5, I though it made smaller negative

[Otto Seaman]

It's a step up if you want to use shutterless lenses. Otherwise it is heavier and more complicated, so if you don't need the shutter, don't carry it. Prices seem equal more or less.