Anyone else have a 5x7 SLR?

EASmithV

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Hey everyone, been a while.

I recently acquired a 5x7 Compact Graflex, which is currently sent off for getting a CLA.

Searching the internet, I haven't found many examples at all of images taken with a 5x7 Graflex.

Anyone have any they can link me to? I like checking out images when I'm anticipating something.

Thanks!
 

David A. Goldfarb

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Bobby Ironsights

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Is a Graflex an SLR?
 

David A. Goldfarb

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Old-N-Feeble

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Google Dorothea Lange.
 

Dr Croubie

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There's just something funny about seeing the words "5x7" right next to "compact".
I don't have one, unfortunately, but I'd be interested to see a pic of anyone else handholding theirs like Dorothea did...
 
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EASmithV

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Thanks!

I saw those a while ago, but that's been about the extent of images I found with them, maybe with one cool landscape added in.

Dr Croubie said:
There's just something funny about seeing the words "5x7" right next to "compact".
I don't have one, unfortunately, but I'd be interested to see a pic of anyone else handholding theirs like Dorothea did...
Click to expand...


I thought Dorthea Lange used a 4x5 Series D?

I handhold my Super D Regularly, it's perfectly built for it: https://www.flickr.com/search?user_id=30767964@N02&sort=relevance&text=graflex super d
 

gzinsel

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quick questions?? does it have a mirror like other SLR's? Remember Single lens Reflex! Rangefinder/ O.k. I get it, But does it really have a 5"x7" mirror "to reflex" ?
 

David A. Goldfarb

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gzinsel said:
quick questions?? does it have a mirror like other SLR's? Remember Single lens Reflex! Rangefinder/ O.k. I get it, But does it really have a 5"x7" mirror "to reflex" ?
Click to expand...

Yes, absolutely. Press the shutter, the mirror flips up, and the shutter releases.

The 5x7" Press Graflex is not as heavy as it looks, and is quite ergonomic. It's basically a big empty box, and if you hold it by the front corners, the focus knob falls right in your right hand and the shutter release is right under your left thumb.

I haven't been using mine lately, because my eyesight has made it a bit awkward. Either I need to find some way of making the focus cone longer without causing other problems or I need prescription glasses that focus at the distance to use it normally.
 
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David A. Goldfarb

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Here's another 5x7" Press Graflex image in the APUG gallery, posted more as a developer test than to show off the camera--

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 

erikg

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That looks like a Series D to me. From what I've seen of the FSA work, she used a 4x5, but I don't know if that was the only one Lange used. Do you have more information? I don't have a 5x7 but I own and shoot several Graflex SLRs, they're a lot of fun. Paul Strand used a 5x7, but he had it modified to shoot 5x6 because he liked the proportions better.
 

Oren Grad

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I have a 5x7 Press Graflex, recently sold my Home Portrait. The latter is quite the beast, the former certainly feels compact by comparison. But yes, it's definitely cool to have a 5x7 SLR. Still working on the eyesight/focusing problem, alas.
 

Wayne

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erikg said:
Paul Strand used a 5x7, but he had it modified to shoot 5x6 because he liked the proportions better.
Click to expand...


Good idea. I've always found 5x7 a bit leggy for me too, which is a shame because I have more 5x7 holders than any other size
 

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A not as well known 5X7 Graflex user was Evelyn Cameron who worked in the wilds of eastern Montana in the early 1900s:

http://www.shadesofthedeparted.com/2008/03/no-place-for-lady.html

From Jonathan Raban's book "Bad Land - An American Romance", page 92: "In 1905, Evelyn bought a new camera, a Graflex with a 9-inch Goerz lens. It cost $225.50." I looked in my well worn copy of "A Review of Graflex" by Rochard Paine to see what model she might have purchased in 1905. On page 10 showing the original "Graflex Camera" there is a list of different film sizes and lens options along with 1904 prices. The price shown for the 5X7 Graflex with "Goerz Ser III, f6.8" is $225.50. Which doesn't prove she used an original Graflex with a Dagor, but seems likely.

Myself, I have a 5X7 Press Graflex that I had high hopes for, but the shutter curtain tore before I could use it. I have another Press that has been kind of butchered up and is missing the focusing hood. In theory I could switch the curtain from it into the first one, but seems it might not last long either. I've had curtains tear in a couple of 4X5 Graflexes, so maybe I'm overly pessimistic. I have a 5X7 Compact with a sluggish shutter. Finally I have a 5X7 Series B complete with lens that seems to be in working order, but I've yet to try it. After reading this thread I went and got it down off the shelf. It isn't really that heavy, although the rather dim view isn't the easiest now that my eyesight isn't so good. But I should be able to use it in good light. I need to scrounge around and find a 5X7 slotted holder and load it up.

Len
 

Andrew K

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I have a Press Graflex, but don't use it much as I've only got 1 DD Slide. It is fun to use though, and I've shot some lovely portraits with it. I put one in one of the Australian Print Swaps a couple of years ago....

I think my 3A Graflex is more fun. As you can't get postcard roll film anymore I've converted it to shoot 120 panoramas.....6x13 SLR anyone???
 

erikg

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That sounds cool, Andrew. I'd love to see what you've shot.
 

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EASmithV

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I believe the name compact comes from the fact that when folded, the compact graflexs' front standard actually encroaches into the mirror box, pushing the mirror past it's ready position. It is for this reason the mirror is not the capping feature, and why this camera requires a capping shutter linked to the mirror lever.

The camera can fold and swallow pretty monstrous lenses.
 

gzinsel

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I THINK a 5x7 reflex camera is what we all need. seriously. I think that kind of commitment is incumbent upon us. also I want one. I wonder how many of those that were made? I wonder if I can go over to Goldfarbs house and measure one, to make ones? If I made a whole bunch, say a dozen, how much could I sell them for? how long would it take? do you think 5x7 contact prints are worth it? I wonder about a lot . . . . . sometimes!!!
 

Dr Croubie

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I can't comment on a 5x7 contact print, because that's one of the few formats that I don't have.
But I've done 4x5" contact prints on 5x7" paper with an inch or two black border, and I'm just setting up to do some 8x10" contacts on 6.5x8.5" paper.
All of which look impressive enough.

As for making and selling a 5x7" SLR? There's probably a good reason that these were made nearly a century ago and not much since then...
 
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EASmithV

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Damn folks, kiss and make up already. Jeez.

Assuming it's in practice a sized up version of the 4x5 SLRs they made, the quality will be there.
5x7 is a nice size for a contact, not too big, not too small.
I have a very interesting lens on there, a Dallmeyer Pentac 8" f2.9, and the camera actually will close with this lens fitted unmodified, and also appears to reach infinity just fine.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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I suspect 5x7" was a good size to print directly across 3 columns in the newspaper.
 
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EASmithV

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RalphLambrecht said:
...and a few minutes later an earthquake is reported in the press
Click to expand...


The mirror slap of my 4x5 Super D isn't bad at all, and the camera serves as an anti-VR due to it's size. My 2x3 Graflex JR actually seems to have more of a slap. we'll see what the 5x7 does.
 
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