Am I buying some kind of DIY version of Graflex?

[Salyut]

I've always wanted to own a Speed Graphic camera of my own. Yesterday I got this camera from a seller, but I noticed some strange things. I've researched many versions of the Speed Graphic. It seems the older 24-speed version doesn't have a tilt mechanism. Can anyone tell me if this was a DIY modification by the previous owner or an official version?

 

[gordrob]

I have never seen a front standard for a Speed or Crown graphic that is made of wood. I have four Graphics and all are of the standard metal design. With the size of the opening in the front standard it looks like someone has made a unit to take a heavy and large lens like the Aero Ektar. A good site to use as a reference for the Graphics is Jo Lommen.

Graflex classic press cameras

Graflex Cameras- Press and Home Cameras

jolommencam.com

 

[mshchem]

Looks like it's been modified to take square and the standard round cornered lens boards?

 

[Salyut]

I have never seen a front standard for a Speed or Crown graphic that is made of wood. I have four Graphics and all are of the standard metal design. With the size of the opening in the front standard it looks like someone has made a unit to take a heavy and large lens like the Aero Ektar. A good site to use as a reference for the Graphics is Jo Lommen.

Graflex classic press cameras

Graflex Cameras- Press and Home Cameras

jolommencam.com

Thank you very much. I'm mainly worried about whether it can function normally—this camera is really unusual. Normally, older 24-speed models can't tilt or swing, but this one can, and it even has a wooden front standard.

 

[Salyut]

Looks like it's been modified to take square and the standard round cornered lens boards?

Perhaps... but in any case, it's strange that I haven't found another exactly like this one.

 

[Ian Grant]

Looks like it's been modified to take square and the standard round cornered lens boards?

The other way around, it's an Anniversary Speed Graphic adapted to take the front standard of a Pacemaker Speed or Crown Graphic. That frame to hold the lens board won't take later Pacemaker lens boards

Ian

 

[xya]

I had an Anniversary Speed with a similar front standard https://www.oddcameras.com/graflex_anniversary_speed_graphic.htm but never used it because some weeks later there was a Pacemaker Speed that arrived https://www.oddcameras.com/graflex_pacemaker_speed_graphic.htm. Yours seems in between these two.

 

[lecarp]

Yes, it is modified and maybe even by Graflex! You have the best of all possibilities, a Speed Graphic with tilts that takes a wooden lens board you can make and drill to size or easily source. Saves the sometimes considerable trouble of sourcing metal boards with the proper hole size. Load some film and ENJOY!

\

Graflex.Org: Speed Graphics, Large Format Photography, and More

www.graflex.org

Go to the speed FAQ, read the forums as well.

And, https://www.graflexparts.com/

 

[mshchem]

Wonderful machines!

 

[reddesert]

The other way around, it's an Anniversary Speed Graphic adapted to take the front standard of a Pacemaker Speed or Crown Graphic. That frame to hold the lens board won't take later Pacemaker lens boards

Ian

I agree with Ian, it is an Anniversary Speed Graphic that used to have a rigid front standard, and someone has put the front standard from a Pacemaker on it. I did this myself once, but I can't recall if there has to be any minor modification to the camera or it is a direct swap. The lensboard holder is permanently attached to the bellows, so you still have an Anniversary lensboard holder that takes square lensboards, IIRC 4x4" with about a 1/4" lip. You can buy these from various sources or make them yourself from 1/8" plywood.

The standard is set up for the normal rearward tilt that compensates for dropping the bed, but if you turn it around you can get forward tilt, probably 1 of the 2 most useful view camera movements (with front rise, which you have already). So the front standard swap is a notable upgrade.

 

[Ian Grant]

I agree with Ian, it is an Anniversary Speed Graphic that used to have a rigid front standard, and someone has put the front standard from a Pacemaker on it. I did this myself once, but I can't recall if there has to be any minor modification to the camera or it is a direct swap. The lensboard holder is permanently attached to the bellows, so you still have an Anniversary lensboard holder that takes square lensboards, IIRC 4x4" with about a 1/4" lip. You can buy these from various sources or make them yourself from 1/8" plywood.

The standard is set up for the normal rearward tilt that compensates for dropping the bed, but if you turn it around you can get forward tilt, probably 1 of the 2 most useful view camera movements (with front rise, which you have already). So the front standard swap is a notable upgrade.

There are many advantages to theses older lens boards, cheap, easy to make. Great for barrel lenses with flanges as opposed to retaining rings.

Yes, the front standard swap is actually an upgrade. But yes I would turn it around, to get front tilt, which is the most useful of all movements.

Ian

 

[Salyut]

I had an Anniversary Speed with a similar front standard https://www.oddcameras.com/graflex_anniversary_speed_graphic.htm but never used it because some weeks later there was a Pacemaker Speed that arrived https://www.oddcameras.com/graflex_pacemaker_speed_graphic.htm. Yours seems in between these two.

Thank you very much. I think it might be some kind of transitional model?

 

[Salyut]

Yes, it is modified and maybe even by Graflex! You have the best of all possibilities, a Speed Graphic with tilts that takes a wooden lens board you can make and drill to size or easily source. Saves the sometimes considerable trouble of sourcing metal boards with the proper hole size. Load some film and ENJOY!

\

Graflex.Org: Speed Graphics, Large Format Photography, and More

www.graflex.org

Go to the speed FAQ, read the forums as well.

And, https://www.graflexparts.com/

Thanks！

 

[Salyut]

There are many advantages to theses older lens boards, cheap, easy to make. Great for barrel lenses with flanges as opposed to retaining rings.

Yes, the front standard swap is actually an upgrade. But yes I would turn it around, to get front tilt, which is the most useful of all movements.

Ian

OK，thanks！

 

[AnselMortensen]

I agree with the above... I did the same modification to my user Anniversary SG...
In addition, I also made a modification that your camera also has...
The yoke is also from a Pacemaker, which allows you to use folding infinity stops...multiple ones!
This allows you to have infinity stops set up for multiple lenses.