I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE A MINT GALVIN 2X3 ON A 9 INCH RAIL.ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS CAMERA?PROS AND CONS?THANKS.PAUL.

The Galvin is a dandy little view camera, and can be appreciated for its fine design and construction. As a practical matter, the issue that always dogged it (and other 2¼x3¼" view cameras) is that they are not orders-of-magnitude smaller than the more compact 4x5 designs, but they are much more limited in the kinds of sensitive material you can use with them.

In concrete terms, considering a choice between (way) the Galvin and a 4x5 "Graphic View," I think you'd only be better off with the Galvin if you wished to work exclusively with 120 rollfilm...

...but the Galvin would be a wonderful conversation piece!

<blockquote> Hey Pauliefrog, </blockquote> for view camera work I'd go with the Glavin. The 4x5 view cameras are designed to use longer lenses and don't work as well with short glass because the front and rear standards have to be jammed together so closely. I use a 6x9 rollback in my Graphic View II and I often wish that I had a purpose built 2x3 view camera for that reason <blockquote> <blockquote> Dan
</blockquote> </blockquote>PS: Use the shift, Luke!