2 1/4 x 3 1/4 RB Series B Graflex
The 4x5 RB Auto Graflex’s medium format sibling.
2 1/4 x 3 1/4 RB Series B Grafles with 127mm f/4.5 Kodak Ektar lens. (Color photos were made with a Nikon F, 55mm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor-P.C, and Portra 400.)
Plant in window. 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 RB Series B Graflex, 127mm f/4.5 Kodak Ektar lens, Tri-X, 2022.
A Graflex SLR in medium format
Most Graflexes are heavy and bulky large format cameras. This one is medium format, 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 inch or approximately 6x8 cm and it has a revolving back so it is equally suited to horizontal or vertical format work.
It was in production from 1923 to 1952 — 29 years! (Holden, 1958:211).
In the context of 6x8 SLR cameras, this one is light and compact. Its ergonomics are excellent except that the viewfinder is dim, because of the slow lens and the plain ground glass focus screen. It is designed for hand-held use, which it excels at. I use this camera exclusively hand held.
Please see my 4x5 RB Auto Graflex review for the story of the Graflex SLR cameras and a description of their design and how they work. This camera is the same basic design, in a smaller format.
2 1/4 x 3 1/4 RB Series B Grafles with a Graflex 23 roll film back. It is shown on a tripod, but I have only ever used this camera hand held.
Plant in window. 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 RB Series B Graflex, 127mm f/4.5 Kodak Ektar lens, Tri-X, 2022.
The Mamiya RB67 is in many ways an updated incarnation of this camera
This medium format Graflex shares some key design features with the much later Mamiya RB67:
Revolving back
Bellows focus
Slide locks allowing for the use of different types of backs
Unlike the Mamiya, the Graflex is not a system camera. Only the back can be swapped out, the lens and finder are fixed. The Graflex wins in terms of hand-held ergonomics and it produces a larger negative (6x8 cm v. the Mamiya’s 6x7).
However, the Graflex lacks an automatic aperture and this is a serious weakness for an SLR. See my 4x5 RB Auto Graflex review for a discussion of manual v. auto apertures.
2 1/4 x 3 1/4 RB Series B Grafles with 127mm f/4.5 Kodak Ektar lens.
References / further reading
Camera manual: Instruction Manual for Graflex Cameras: RB Super D, RB Series B, and Earlier Models Including Series B, RB Series D, Auto, RB Auto, Auto Jr., RB Tele, RB Jr. Rochester, N.Y.: Graflex, Inc., n.d.
More references:
Holden, T. T. 1958. Graphic & Graflex Equipment. Chapter 17 in W.D. Morgan, Graphic and Graflex Photography, 11th ed. New York: Morgan & Morgan.
McKeown, J.M. and J.C. 1996. McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique and Classic Cameras, 1997-1998. Grantsburg, Wis.: Centennial Photo.
Morgan, W.D. 1958. Graphic Graflex Photography, 11th ed. New York: Morgan & Morgan.