Graflex RB Series D SLR 3x4 Camera
Photo thanks to Nguyen - [email protected]
This Graflex RB series D 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" SLR camera is closely related in body style to the Graflex
Series B SLR Camera from 1909. It provides clear evidence of the early
origin and use of SLR reflex viewing in these older formats. SLR viewing was
passed down to medium format and 35mm cameras from these larger format
predecessors. See our history of the medium format
SLR for related details. Again, my interest here is not to promote this camera
as a 4x5" SLR for users, but to help document the development of the SLR and its
earlier history before the 35mm and medium format SLRs were developed.
The series D models came in two popular formats - 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" (1928-41) and 4x5"
(1928-47). The later 4x5" models have chrome trim and black hardware, versus the
grey painted hardware of the earlier models (see photo). The pop-up lens
hood and cover can be extended. The interchangeable lens boards make it possible to swap
out lenses.
Related Postings
From: [email protected] (Thor Lancelot Simon) Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.large-format Subject: Re: 4x5 SLR Date: 30 Jan 2002 mevansmi [email protected] wrote: >Has anybody used or had experience with a 4x5 SLR Star D camera from >the 1940's? Who manufactured them and are there still any around? >thanks. I think you probably mean to ask about the Graflex Super D camera, made by the Graflex company (which changed ownership and names several times, but usually had "Graflex" in there somewhere). They're excellent cameras. I own one and am very happy with it and, as I recall, Richard owns one as well. A clean Super-D will run you a fair amount of money these days since they're generally bought up and restored by one of a small number of specialist dealers when they come on the market in good shape. If you want one "right now" you can get one for a few hundred bucks over market price from Lens & Repro in New York City. A L&R camera will be in perfect shape and have a "graphic" or "universal" style back fitted instead of the "graflex" style back the original cameras came with. The change of back is not necessarily and advantage; these cameras are usually used with Grafmatic multi-sheet film magazines and those are a bit easier and cheaper to find in Graflex back than in Graphic back, in my experience. I went out of my way to get a Super-D with the Kodak Ektar lens but since then I have become convinced that in *this one case* the alternate lens offering (a 190mm Optar which may be the exact same design as the Kodak lens) is just about as good. -- Thor Lancelot Simon [email protected]End of Page