GRAFLEX Graphic 35 Electric Camera with Schneider 1:1.9/50mm Xenon Lens
GRAFLEX Graphic 35 Electric rangefinder camera with an interchangeable Schneider-Kreuznach 1:1.9/50mm Xenon lens. The camera was designed by Iloca in Hamburg, Germany, in 1958 and originally marketed as the Iloca 35 Electric.
In 1959, Graflex decided to import the camera into the United States and to market it under its own name as the Graflex Graphic 35 Electric.
It looks like at the time the Graflex management was particularly interested in adding high-end 35mm cameras with an impressive list of novel features to their camera offering. However, long-term reliability was apparently not high on their priority list. (Another example for this strategy is the Graflex 35 Jet powered by a CO2 cartridge.)
Now to the camera in this auction:
GRAFLEX Graphic 35 Electric rangefinder camera with electric motor drive, made by Iloca for Graflex. Body serial number 80 2141 459 (made in April 1959). Coupled rangefinder with frame lines for 35, 50, and 135mm lenses (see image #12 for an attempt to capture the finder image).
Interchangeable lenses in DKL mount (lens need to have a provision for the rangefinder coupling pin, typical SLR lenses will not mount). Coupled Selenium exposure meter with display on top of the viewfinder window and on top of the camera. Synchro-Compur shutter with B, 1-1/500 sec settings, X and M flash synchronization, and built-in self-timer.
Schneider-Kreuznach 1:1.9 50mm Retina-Xenon lens in DKL mount for rangefinder cameras. Distance scale in feet. Automatic display of the depth-of-field range (as a function of the diaphragm setting) via two moving red pointers.
The camera is in very good cosmetic condition: leather and chrome covering in good shape. However, the motor drive of the camera is completely dead.
Rangefinder delivers a bright image, but the rangefinder patch gets stuck at large distances. Please note that the rangefinder coupling pin can fall out of the lens mount once the lens is removed (an indication that the camera has been worked on).
Shutter, self timer, and flash contact could not be tested. Exposure meter does not react to light.
The Xenon lens is in good condition with clean glass. Diaphragm is oil-free and moves smoothly.
Still, the camera is an impressive display piece and a great conversation starter about the importance of reliability in designing industrial products.
The camera comes with the original leather case (leather of front cover no longer fully connected, see the last image) and a CD containing a copy of the instruction manual.
Buyer to pay for shipping only (no handling fee). Estimated shipping weight is 4 pounds.
I would be happy to combine several items in one shipment to reduce shipping costs.
Happy bidding!