You will also be able to use a wide selection of sensitized materials because of the various types of holders that can be used with the Graflex. The camera is normally operated at waist level. The top of the Graflex is pulled up and back to extend the focusing hood. When the knurled focusing control is turned forward, the carrier and lens are moved into picture-taking position. The front door is automatically released so that it snaps up as the lens moves forward.
Light enters the camera through the lens and is reflected upward by the mirror to the ground glass.
The visibility of hte image is improved by the focusing hood. The lens is focused with the control. A large lens opening is usually used for focusing as this gives a bright image on the ground glass. In addition, the shallow depth of field obtained with a large opening makes critical focusing much easier and more precise. In the Series D and earlier models, the diaphragm must be reset before the exposure is made.