We have just acquired a Century Graphic 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 for my wife's use, but cannot figure how to open the shutter on the Graflar f/4.5 101mm to focus using the ground glass. (Practical) Advice would be welcome. Cheers, David

There should be a "press focus" lever located about 4 o'clock as you look at the lens from the front. To use, first cock the shutter, then push the lever in toward the lens. This will keep the shutter open. To close the shutter, pull the lever back out. (The shutter will still be cocked.)
If the shutter does not have this lever, set the shutter on T (time) and release. This will keep the shutter open until the release is pressed a second time. (The shutter will now be uncocked.)

Two options:

Look at the shutter. There should be a round button between the cocking lever and the release lever. This operates what's called a blade arrester. Cock the shutter, hold the button in, and release the shutter. It should stay open. Recocking will close it.

If the shutter has a "T" speed, set it to "T", cock, and shoot. Releasing it again will close the shutter.

If you've got the Graflar in the Century shutter, like mine, there is no press focus lever. Use the "T" setting, as posters have said.

Graflar 101 is in a Prontor SVS shutter with only B available and no preview button. There is no T setting.
On these shutters one needs to use a locking cable release that will hold the shutter open in the "B" setting for ground glass viewing.
These are a decent lens, and if I am correct it is a Rodenstock triplet.
Mine has good sharpness and great contrast.
Have fun.

http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/shutterb/shutterb.html
Graflex Shutter Guidebook 1967, may be of some help.

Thanks to all those who responded... and apologies to those who found the posting of the same question on other forums to be offensive (and unnecessary). The matter is now settled. Using the "B" setting with a locking cable release is the only solution.

David, posting all over the known universe wasn't so much offensive as unnecessary. As you've learned, all of the photography web sites are infested with people who want to be helpful.

Cheers,

Dan