Graflex 22

The Graflex 22 is a 4×5 large format view camera introduced by Graflex in 1955 as part of their Series B line. Designed for professional and serious amateur photographers, it embodies the robust, no-nonsense engineering characteristic of Graflex during the mid-20th century. Constructed primarily from metal and wood, featuring a front standard for lens movements and a folding baseboard mechanism, it offered the essential controls for perspective control and focus required in technical and artistic large format work. While sharing the high build quality expected of Graflex, the 22 represented a more practical, workhorse-oriented approach compared to the company's earlier, sometimes more elaborate models, catering to a market needing reliable precision without excessive complexity or cost.

Released during the era when 35mm film was rapidly gaining dominance for general photography, the Graflex 22 served the niche for photographers demanding the superior image quality and control offered by 4×5 sheet film. It provided a straightforward, durable platform for studio, architectural, and landscape applications where ultimate image quality was paramount. Its significance lies in its role as a competent tool within the large format ecosystem of its time, representing Graflex's adaptation to evolving market demands by offering a reliable, professional-grade view camera at a competitive point within their product range.