Getting started with a Graflex..

[Magua]

Hello. This is my first time posting. I have a little experience with film, only having taken a photography class with 35mm B&W film cameras years ago.

I have a R.B. Graflex Series B 4x5 camera that I inherited from my great-grandfather. It has a Cut Film Magazine attached to the camera. There is also a Graflex Film Pack Adapter. I think the film pack adapter still has film in it. There are tabs 8,9,10,11,12 sticking out the side; Kodak Super-XX. From what I read on the internet, this type of film-pack had been discontinued long ago. I think the Cut Film magazine might have film in it as well. When I lift the small door, I can see the number "9" behind the red window.

I am feeling a bit enthusiastic about this camera and the film it might contain. The idea of a 4" x 5" image "sensor", compared to the tiny CCD in digital cameras sounds overwhelming. I am thinking of developing the film in it and trying to use this camera. So, I have a few questions, maybe someone could help me out.

After 45+ years of sitting around, is it possible to develop the film that is in the camera and holder? It would be awesome to develop film that was taken by my great-grandfather so many years ago. I've never worked with this type of film and camera. I do not know how to open the film pack or develop it.

Could the unexposed films 8,9,10,11,12 be used to take photographs today and still produce an image?

If I decide to use this camera, can anyone recommend how I should go about it, and what would the estimated costs be? I guess that I would need a different back to hold film. I would have to invest in film, darkroom equipment, chemicals, etc.

Thanks for any guidance and replies!

[Bill_1856]

The cut film magazine (known in the trade as a "bag-mag") is still one of the best ways to use a 4x5 camera,(provided the leather part hasn't rotted).
You need to get a copy of Graphic-Graflex Photrography, long out of print, but available often on eBay.
The film might still be good, but it probably isn't.

[Joe Smigiel]

You can probably find all the info needed at http://graflex.org/.

A couple suggestions follow regarding your plans on using/developing the film. Developing sheet film is not difficult, but it is different and harder than processing the 35mm film you may have used in class. I understand that the film in a film pack adapter is thinner than normal sheet film and is supplied in a long continuous strip that would complicate the process further. If you would really like to see if there are any pictures taken by your grandfather in the pack, I would suggest trying to find a photographer experienced with developing this type of film even if it means not shooting the rest of the pack. (It's probably fogged as a result of age anyway and with no experience using the camera, you might inadvertently do something wrong that would expose and ruin the film. I wouldn't chance that with this particular pack.)

You might also try to pick up a double-sided sheet film holder for this camera. I believe it takes special slotted Graflex holders. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) They would be easier to use starting out than the bag magazine.

Have fun with it.

[Jay DeFehr]

Hi Magua,

The numbers in the window of the bag mag are on the septums, or metal film sleeves inside the holder, that might, or might not have film in them. The only way to check is to take the holder off the camera (be sure the dark slide is in place) into a dark room -- a completely dark room -- and open the holder. There's a hidden button on the bottom of the holder, under the leather, that releases the top cover. Once the holder is opened, you can remove the top septum and feel for film.

Any film you have is probably too old and fogged to get a good image, but you might be able to get some kind of image that might be interesting for you.

Operating the camera itself involves several steps. There's a shutter curtain at the focal plane (near the film), and exposure is set by choosing the width of the slot in the shutter curtain, given in fractions of an inch on the knob on the upper right side (from the operator position, or camera right) of the camera, in combination with the tension setting, given in numbers 1-5 or 6, and set by the knob on the lower right side, and the aperture, as set on the lens. There should be a table on the right side of the camera that gives combinations and their resulting exposure time values.

There is also a reflex mirror, set by the T-knob on the right side. The mirror has to be in the up position (so that you can see through the lens) to make an exposure. The shutter release is on the left side - bottom -front of the camera.

The exposure sequence is:

Set mirror in up position for focusing

Select curtain slit

Select tension number

Focus with the focus knob, right side - bottom - front

Release shutter with release lever, left side - bottom - front.

For your next exposure, the sequence is the same, but the tension number remains set, while the slit setting moves to the next widest setting, so if you want to make another exposure at the same exposure value, you need to re-set the slit, after re-setting the mirror.

If you remove the film holder, you can play with the settings and should be able to see the shutter working.

Operating the bag mag is as follows:

Remove dark slide

Make exposure

Actuate pull slider on the right side of the holder to move the front septum up into the bag

Grasp the septum and move it to the rear of the stack

Repeat

Film Pack Adapters were before my time, so I can't help you with those. I have a 3x4 Graflex, and it's a great camera, but the 4x5 is more practical, because there are more film stocks available in that format, and all of the associated equipment for film processing and printing. Graflex.org is a great resource, and there are some members here who are very familiar with all aspects of these cameras.

Good luck, and enjoy!

[cyrus]

I have yet to see a bagmag that is light tight. The leather just didn't take the usage too well, and dries up over time and cracks.

[Jay DeFehr]

I have yet to see a bagmag that is light tight. The leather just didn't take the usage too well, and dries up over time and cracks.

I must be lucky! I've never seen one that leaks. I have four and they all work perfectly.

[Magua]

Cool. Thanks for the quick and detailed replies, everyone. I think the leather bag on the "bag mag" is still in very good condition, but I have not inspected it fully. The whole camera looks to be in really good condition. I'll try to find an experienced person who might be able to develop the old films. I know that I would probably ruin it if I tried to do it myself. Having to extract and develop film, in pitch blackness, that I've never used, seems nearly impossible for me.

Are there many people still around that would have the darkroom setup for large format and would know how to develop these old film packs? Should I be looking for a camera store, or find an independent photographer? FWIW, I live near Chicago. Thanks!

You can probably find all the info needed at http://graflex.org/.

A couple suggestions follow regarding your plans on using/developing the film. Developing sheet film is not difficult, but it is different and harder than processing the 35mm film you may have used in class. I understand that the film in a film pack adapter is thinner than normal sheet film and is supplied in a long continuous strip that would complicate the process further. If you would really like to see if there are any pictures taken by your grandfather in the pack, I would suggest trying to find a photographer experienced with developing this type of film even if it means not shooting the rest of the pack. (It's probably fogged as a result of age anyway and with no experience using the camera, you might inadvertently do something wrong that would expose and ruin the film. I wouldn't chance that with this particular pack.)

You might also try to pick up a double-sided sheet film holder for this camera. I believe it takes special slotted Graflex holders. (Someone correct me if I'm wrong.) They would be easier to use starting out than the bag magazine.

Have fun with it.

[RawheaD]

Get the back converted to a graflok back with rotation. Bert Saunders can send you the necessary adapter plates (bert saunders <bsaunders1@bak.rr.com>), you just need to score graflok part from Ebay.

[Jay DeFehr]

Get the back converted to a graflok back with rotation. Bert Saunders can send you the necessary adapter plates (bert saunders <bsaunders1@bak.rr.com>), you just need to score graflok part from Ebay.

I wouldn't convert the back. The Graflex back works perfectly for the job, unless one wants to shoot Polaroid, but since that is all but extinct, I don't see the point in converting, which would make the bag mag useless.

[jnanian]

great camera !

i have a series d (4x5 ) with a hand full of bag mags
( that don't leak ) and armloads of film holders.
before you expose your film, you might want to
remove the bagmag and see how active your shutter is.

if you have a friend who has a calumet shutter speed tester
or a repair shop that you can bring it to, it will be great help
giving you an idea what your speeds are.
that way you will know that the 1/4 inch slot at setting 1 is really 1/15th S and not 1 second

have fun !
john