The Pacemaker Speed Graphic seems to be fit my case, although others have mentioned going for a 5x7 camera instead. I will see which comes first in terms of price, and availability.
I bought my Pacemaker Speed Graphic and Graflex Model D from a retired Graflex and Graphic repairman. They were the best of each from his collection. He passed away over a decade ago. He sent me Word files for focal plane repairs. I have used Steve's Camera in Culver City California for a problem with the Pacemaker Speed Graphic a few years ago.
The Pacemaker Speed Graphic seems to be fit my case, although others have mentioned going for a 5x7 camera instead. I will see which comes first in terms of price, and availability.
Good question! For me personally, as long as I don't have to carry a tripod around in order to use the camera then it's light weight. A very abstract definition I know, but effective, at least in my opinion. From what I can tell, a lot of the folding cameras don't seem to very too greatly in weight.
I'm was actually watching some YouTube videos on the Speed Graphic when you sent this comment, scary good timing! I am wondering how readily serviced these cameras are, do you happen to know?
4x5 folding field and press cameras vary enormously in weight, from maybe 2 1/2 pounds or so up to 8 pounds and even beyond. Most are not hand-holdable, though.
A 4x5 Crown Graphic with lens mounted and film holder inserted is going to be somewhere in the ballpark of 5.5-6 pounds.
Another question: do you intend to work by available light? And if so, what would be a typical setting and exposure for you? Keep in mind that the rangefinder in a Graphic is not designed for high-precision use at close range and larger apertures. Press photographers who used Graphics back in their heyday were in the habit of stopping way down to cover for small focus errors - sometimes even just zone-focusing - and using a big flash for illumination. OTOH, contact printing - i.e., 1:1 scale in the print - and working with alt processes will allow you some perceptual wiggle room that you wouldn't have if you were enlarging.
Forget about 5x7 for this application, unless you are willing to reconcile yourself to working from a tripod.
They're incredibly rugged cameras, being designed for Press use. The bellows are usually two layers, and stored inside the box, so they tend to hold up well. Doesn't mean they don't deteriorate, but if they were reasonably well cared for when put away, they should last forever.
My Mini Speed (1946), according to the seller, was bought from a photojournalist and given to the seller as a present for his 16th birthday, in 1963. In 1970 or thereabouts, he switched to 35mm, and forgot about the gray box marked "Graflex" in the back of his closet. In 2020, I bought the whole crate from him, and while every glass surface needed cleaning, the rest of the camera (and accessories) were in perfect working order, and both shutters were within 10% of spec on shutter speed. This is probably atypical, but it should give an idea of how well these things hold up.
Parts and spare bodies are reasonably plentiful, and there are a handful of techs out there who can work on them, up to and including servicing the focal plane shutter. The shutter mechanism is fairly industrial, but the springs are the weak link-- if improperly stored, they seriously lose tension. If properly stored, they still lose a bit of tension, but can be re-tensioned (and lubricated) relatively easily.
I suppose the other questionable bit would be the set screw for the rangefinder adjustment-- One or two people have reported them slipping, and I've noticed mine was a bit out of calibration after being stored for a few months.
My intended use is for portraiture, specifically environmental portraiture, such as friends/family going about their day doing their normal everyday things or while at work. This is why I would prefer something lightweight and portable, and not a camera that requires a rail or tripod. Then with the images I would make some contact prints such as cyanotypes, maybe ambrotypes or salt prints, as gifts for said people.
@Howl23 -- what 9x12 camera do you have, incidentally?
Echoing the other recommendations here for the Crown Graphic. If you’re handheld it is perhaps one of the best options. Someone mentioned the orientation, as you know they are landscape, not portrait. But I personally find it easy to hang from the strap for portrait orientation (there is a tripod mounting hole on the side of the body for tripod use). Designed for press use they are quick to pull up to the eye and shoot. Check out Weegee, he was a master. Zone focus, f8! I find the wire sports finder is quite accurate and fast to use.
IMHO a monopod is nice, takes no time to set up and adds steadiness. I have a Super Speed Graphic- one of the features is the rotating back, so switchable from landscape to portrait. I see that one sold recently on eBay within your budget.
I posted the cameradactyl 3D printed 4X5 mostly based on what your intended use is. If you don't intend to use movements, solid body cameras may be your best choice.
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