The Graflex 1-A
Operating Directions

Photo © Jo Lommen
Attention...the exposure window width is 4½ inch !

That means that there are less exposures possible and the counter on the back of the film is not correct or even
invisible in the ruby window on the back of the camera..

 

How to start.
Exploring the 1-A

To open the focusing hood, release catch C op top of the camera next to the carrying strap. Once released, raise the cover which automatically gives access to the top of the focusing hood. Straiten the two arms and tilt the leather top up as far as it goes which will draw the focusing hood taut and will hold it in vertical position by the build in catch which is situated on the inside back of the housing. Next open the front of the camera by pressing the lever X on right upper forward corner. Press down the drop bed with your two thumps. The click tells you that the bed is now in position. Draw out the lens standard by squeezing the two handles together and at pull the lens standard until this movement will be stopped by the infinity stops on the track. Now fine focus can be done by using the ground glass while turning the focusing knob on the front of the bed. Try this out several times until you can do it almost automatically. To practice the next step, loading of the camera with film, you better close the camera again. First unlock the focusing hood, guide it down into its fold position and close the cover. (IMPORTANT) Push lever H forward as far as it will go before pushing the front lens standard back into the camera housing. Next push down both front side arms and swing the bed upwards into locking position. Now your camera is ready to be loaded with film.
Loading the camera
using to days 120 roll film

On the back side of the camera press both spring catches C at the same time and tilt the cover from the camera housing.
Originally the camera was designed for # 116 film (4½ x 2 inch exposure window)
To use modern 120 roll film you would need two adaptors. Available on the ( WWW #116 - 120 film adapter 3 D)
These orange adapters both fit on one end to the film spool and the other into the camera winding spool centre.
Once the new unexposed film spool including its two adapters has been placed you may unroll the paper cover film and 
draw out the lower, left spool centre on the bottom and turn it slightly to the right which locks then in an extended position, permitting the roll of film to be placed in the pocket.
Once the roll film is in position you may turn the spool to the left to lock its position again.
A slight turn to the left allows the spring actuated spool centre to spring back into place engaging the film spool.
Now break the paper seal on the roll film and draw the paper across the exposure window and thread into the sleeve slot in the empty winding spool.
A few turns of the winding key will help to securely bind the paper to the empty winding spool. Replace the camera back with the top side up and the ruby window on the left in such away that the spring catches pressed into locking position. Turn the winding key to the right until the arrow disappears at the ruby window which indicates that the position of film for the first exposure has been pulled in position. Immediately after each exposure the next exposure should be prepared. However the photo below shows the real distance needed to bring the film in the next possible exposure position to correspond with the width of the exposure window.  The numbers appearing at the ruby window are not corresponding to the real film exposure.
Unfortunately double exposure and image overlay could be the consequence.
You may consider creating your own cover film paper for the 4½ x 2 inch roll film.

The Graflex 1 A  controls seen from the back side. On the right side.
Lever X Press down to unlock front of the camera. Press drop bed down till it clicks in position.
Set the mirror in focussing position by pressing forward lever H until it catches. at the same time set pointer D at Instant.
A = winding key to set focal plane shutter aperture slit. Beside T and O setting all variable slit apertures width are visible in window F

No double Exposure
A safety lock  prevents rewinding of the curtain before the mirror is set when making instantaneous exposures.
This prevents fogging the film making it necessary to set the mirror by pressing forward lever H before rewinding the curtain.
 
Instantaneous Exposure

After the shutter has been set and the image properly focused the exposure is made by one inward pressure
of the release button located at the front of the camera at the left of the drop bed.
which simultaneous releases the mirror and curtain.
For slow instantaneous exposures of about 1/5 second set curtain at O and tension at one.
Pressure upon the release button causes the mirror to rise before the curtain starts to move along the film and closes the exposure aperture.

Time Exposure
Press lever H forward as far as slot will permit which sets the mirror and turn the pointer opposite letter T.
Wind the curtain until letter T shows in window F.
After focussing release the mirror by pressing the release button on the front.
The mirror pops up now.
Release the curtain to open completely by sliding knob M to the right and terminate the exposure by a second pressure of button M which closes the curtain again.

Closing the Camera
When closing the camera push the lever H forward as far as it will go. Squeeze both thumb handles on the front standard together and push the front lens standard back into the camera housing.
Press down on both side arms and swing the drop bed upwards into locking position.

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Graflex 1 A Previous page
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Graflex Cameras

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