4 Large Format Camera Builders

jamusu · Mar 8, 2008

I have been searching for a crown graphic for over a year now and they are selling for way too much on ebay. This in part has much to do with individuals who jack up the price early on in the bidding only to make the camera cost too much in the end.

My question is how hard would it be to build my own 4x5 similar in size and weight to a crown graphic? Would it be even worth it to try such a thing or should I just continue to wait for a good price or bite the bullet and pay too much for one?

Jamusu.

mikebarger · Mar 8, 2008

What have you determined they are worth?

Mike

darinwc · Mar 8, 2008

You will probably be much better off buying a speed/crown graphic in poor shape and fixing it to suit your needs.
How much did you budget for one?

jamusu · Mar 8, 2008

My budget has been between $400-$600 at times based on what other accessories came with the camera.

Jamusu

keithwms · Mar 8, 2008

For up to ~$350 I think a well-functioning crown is still a good deal, you have to bear in mind the coupled RF. It's also surprisingly resilient. I'd look at the supers / speeds though, the focal plane shutter is something very special.

If you want to go cheap and have a sort of foldup, lunchbox, crown-style field camera, you might look at the "poco" field cameras or similar. I have a 5x7 king poco and it's great. It needed bellows patching, and I took off the plate back and replaced it with a normal GG back, then took it on a trip and had a blast. Incredibly light. I mean, shockingly light. Makes the 4x5 Crown feel like a brick. A poco would also indulge any urge you have to build your own camera bcause it'll need some love.

The pocos have no coupled RF though.... if you want a coupled RF, well, then you're going to pay for it.

darinwc · Mar 8, 2008

The majority of 4x5 crown graphics sell for under $400 on ebay.
Some as low as 100$ for perfectly usable cameras.
How could you not end up with one if you were seriously looking?

Nothing you could build would equial the mix of precision, flexibility, and features of a graflex crown graphic.

keithwms · Mar 8, 2008

darinwc said:
Nothing you could build would equial the mix of precision, flexibility, and features of a graflex crown graphic.

I agree... nothing you could build for ~$300 or so, which is what I see them going for.

If you did try to build one yourself, you would likely find yourself soon wanting a beat-up crown to cannibalize the parts.

jamusu · Mar 8, 2008

Thats what I figured. Guess I will have to keep looking. Allow me to clarify my original post. The ones that I have wanted have costed too much.

How much should I pay for one that comes with flash, two or more lenses, carryng case, cut film holders, and 120 film pack adaptor?

James.

darinwc · Mar 8, 2008

Start out with a clean crown or speed graphic with 1 lens and a few film holders... should easily find one in the 200-300 range.

then decide what you want for a 2nd lens and go from there..

keithwms · Mar 8, 2008

Indeed, James, you don't want to buy that way!

Best/quickest would be to find a nice crown (or speed) with standard lens, in good condition.

After that you can add lenses and flashes. If you try to get it all bundled all at once, in one sale, I'm afraid you're restricting yourself too much.

jamusu · Mar 8, 2008

Yeah I know.

I always go for the gusto and want the complete package. Maybe I need to scale it down a bit. When I purchased my Pentax K-1000 two years ago it came with three lenses. I was a beginner, thus my instructor only allowed me to use the 50mm so that I could understand how the camera functioned. I guess I need to apply this same principle to purchasing a Crown or Speed Graphic.

James.

Nick Zentena · Mar 9, 2008

1) Why do you want a press camera? Serious question. Why?

2) Why do you want a flash?

Lens that were sold with press cameras for the most part aren't the most sought after in todays world. All those 127mm and old wide angles don't compete very well with cheap modern lenses when you look at things like coverage. If the camera came with a 203mm Kodak then I'd consider paying for the lens but other wise you're just buying a camera with lenses you'll likely end up upgrading.

keithwms · Mar 9, 2008

Not to dispute what Nick is saying, but I'll just claim that the 135 f/4.7 graflex optar that came with my $250 crown graphic is actually quite good.

If you get a press camera with a big flash then you should get a trenchcoat too!

jamusu · Mar 9, 2008

Nick.

Fair question.

I want a press camera for nostalgic reasons. I want to experience using one before it is too late. I knew nothing of photography until two years ago and absoloutely love it. It pains me to see how much I have missed (kodak papers and films, agfa papers, original rodinal and oriental seagull, etc).

By purchasing a crown graphic, it is my belief that I will be able to embody some of the processes that were used in one of the best era's in photography in my humble opinion. In return, I will become a better photographer. Not to mention that the camera looks awesome to me.

Also, many of the images I have seen taken with a crown graphic are to my liking. It will be fun to capture 4x5 images handheld.

Regards,
Jamusu.

keithwms · Mar 9, 2008

For handheld 4x5 on the crown, let me suggest using the fuji fp3000b45 in the PA45 back.

jamusu · Mar 9, 2008

Keith.

I have long been a fan of the photos you have taken with your crown graphic. How fun is it to use?

Thank you,
Jamusu.

keithwms · Mar 9, 2008

Well, thanks, but let's skip my crap, if you can vouch for its safety, I'll loan it to you for a month or two, with a lens and a filmholder or two.

I don't think I can part with the PA45 for that long though!

John Kasaian · Mar 9, 2008

If what you want is a press camera, either a crown or a speed is a good choice. A crown should be well within your budget. Often cameras are overbid on ebay for some bizzare reason and you'll actually be better off by going to a dealer like Jim at Midwest, or the classified section here or at the Large Format forum. You might also post at www.graflex.org which is the holy of holies for all things Graflex.

jamusu · Mar 10, 2008

Keith.

Thank you for the offer, but I must decline. Considering the fact that they are so hard to come by I would almost be too afraid to use it just in case something bad happened to it.

I appreciate the offer though.

Jamusu.

barryjyoung · Mar 25, 2008

Ummm,,,no

jamusu said:
I have been searching for a crown graphic for over a year now and they are selling for way too much on ebay. This in part has much to do with individuals who jack up the price early on in the bidding only to make the camera cost too much in the end.

My question is how hard would it be to build my own 4x5 similar in size and weight to a crown graphic? Would it be even worth it to try such a thing or should I just continue to wait for a good price or bite the bullet and pay too much for one?

Jamusu.

Hi Jamasu:

No, it is not worth the time and effort to build one camera. You will spend more on materials than you would spend to buy a nice Crown. IMHO

TheFlyingCamera · Mar 25, 2008

Not to mention the tools required to make it. Unless you have access to, or already possess a fully-equipped woodshop, I do not recommend making your own.

mark · Mar 25, 2008

Buy in pieces, not the whole package. It will save you money. Unless, of course, you are extremely lucky.

Tomf2468 · Mar 25, 2008

I can't tell if the OP's primary interest is in saving $$ or getting the exact gear for "history/nostalgia". If the main interest is saving some $$, consider the Burke and James press camera. A nice little camera, revolving back, some movements, usually sells dirt cheap because it doesn't have "the name".

Tom

Deckled Edge · Mar 26, 2008

I can't fault nostalgia (at least as long as I own 5 wooden cameras from before WWII) but as an owner of a Crown, Pacemaker, and a Super Graphic, I would suggest the Super. Less nostalgia, more features. Hang a late-model 150 Xenar in Copal out front and have a rager.
If you want to go Weegee on us and hand hold, choose fast lenses, faster film, and the correct cam. My HH experience has not been all that satisfying with 4x5, and some older shutters only go up to 1/100th.
I second the advice of staying off of fee-Bay, if you find the bids to ionospheric. I paid <$300 US for each of my Graphics, and would expect you to do about the same.
Best of luck!

4 Large Format Camera Builders

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