Advice needed on purchase of crown graphic 4x5

[IOS]

Im looking to buy a Crown Graphic 4x5 handheld press camera and was wondering if it would be a good start at large format ? The camera is stated to be in good working condition and comes with 2 film holders for a price of $150 U.S dollars. I have only shot 35mm and now i want to go larger and was wondering if anyone thinks this camera would be a good choice for me or should i pass on it for another cheap 4x5.


Jim

 

[sly]

If it is in good shape, I say go for it. I love my Crown Graphic. My preferrd camera of my collection which includes a larger, heavier 4x5 as well as 35mm and medium format.

 

[Fotoguy20d]

I'm fairly new to LF and I'm happily using a 4x5 Pacemaker Speed Graphic and a Graphic VIew II. If it's truly in good condition, $150 for a 4x5 Crown Graphic is a good price depending on two things:

Does it include a lens?

Does if have a Graflok back?

 

[IOS]

It has a 135mm lens, I dont know what a Graflok back is but i will email the seller to ask, is the Graflok back an important part that the camera should have ?

 

[BradS]

is the Graflok back an important part that the camera should have ?

No. It is in fact completely un-necessary unless you want to use the Graflex roll film holders.

 

[Nick Zentena]

If it's in good shape it sounds like a good price . But that wasn't your question. Why do you want to go larger? What do you want to photograph? Some things the Crown will be great at others less so.

OTOH for the price you can likely use it for a while then move on if it doesn't fit what you need.

 

[David H. Bebbington]

No. It is in fact completely un-necessary unless you want to use the Graflex roll film holders.

Or indeed any rollfilm holders with an end-to-end film route, which includes all 6x12 panorama backs. Rollfilm holders with a "both spools at the same end" design will fit a spring back but are very marginal with regard to reloading out of doors.

Regards,

David

 

[Pinholemaster]

Buy it

Have fun

Don't look back

 

[Whiteymorange]

Buy it

Have fun

Don't look back

What he said.

 

[Monophoto]

Thanks to everyone for your advice ! I will meet the seller tonight to buy it ,and now i have to find some film, developing tank and so on. Thanks again for all your advice.

Jim

Film is easy to find - Calumet has a good selection. Also Freestyle.

You don't have to use a tank to process 4x5 film. Many people start out using open trays (in total darkness, of course). I use a "slosher" - a plastic cradle that fits into an 11x14 tray and holds six sheets of film, each in its own compartment. Sloshers have the advantage of keeping the individual sheets separate during processing. One of the criticisms of open trays is that the shuffle method causes the sheets to contact each other and can (often will) lead to scratching - a slosher eliminates that risk. Can be purchased new, but I made mine. There are threads both here and on LF Forum discussing sloshers.

Other people swear by Jobo tanks for processing film. And there are those who suggest using Unicolor printing drums and rollers.

Lots of options - you will get lots of advice whether you want it or not!