Graflex Revolving Back (RB) Cycle Graphic

The Revolving Back (RB) Cycle Graphic by Graflex was an important professional camera in the early 20th century, representing a bridge between press photography and artistic large format work. Introduced in 1907, this 4×5 camera featured a distinctive revolving back that allowed photographers to quickly switch between horizontal and vertical orientations without repositioning the entire camera setup—an invaluable innovation for press photographers capturing dynamic events. The Cycle Graphic shared its basic design with the more famous Speed Graphic model but typically included fewer features and a simpler bellows system, making it more accessible to working professionals while maintaining the robust construction that defined Graflex equipment during this era.

Built during the formative years of modern photojournalism, the Revolving Back Cycle Graphic helped document significant historical moments in the hands of press photographers, though it never achieved the iconic status of its more feature-rich Speed Graphic sibling. The camera's straightforward design, combined with its adaptability through a wide range of lenses and accessories, made it a versatile tool for both news and commercial photography. Its production spanned fifteen years, indicating its sustained market relevance during a period when photography was rapidly transitioning from a niche craft to a ubiquitous medium of communication.