Crown Graphic or Speed Graphic?

[Sirius Glass]

The Speed's FP shutter is notorious for not working too well and adding a considerable amount of (dead) weight to a camera that was mostly hand-held for press photos. The FP shutter was a good idea that didn't work out too well.

Stop shoveling it! They work well, They are easy to adjust. They are easy to fix, if necessary. They are not dead weight.

I use the focal plane shutter on my 1928 Graflex Model D and my 1953 Pacemaker Speed Graphic all the time.

The next urban legend you will probably tell us about is the mythical Hasselblad mirror bounce. How about getting acquainted with the facts before posting?

Steve

 

[BetterSense]

I use the FP shutter on my speed graphic constantly. I trust it at least as much as in-lens shutters. And it goes to 1000!

 

[removed account4]

speeds are great cameras,
the FP shutters are great as well.
( graflex cameras had them for 60+ years )
i'd pick a speed over a crown any day of the week.
how else can you use a lens harvested off
of a junque folder or a magnifying glass lens or a ... ?

 

[TimmyMac]

I had a crown and switched to a Busch Pressman D for the revolving back, better rangefinder compared with the crown (side RF), and seemingly more precise and durable construction.

 

[michaelbsc]

I have a 2x3 speed and a 4x5 crown.

I am looking for a 4x5 speed specifically to get the FP shutter. The crown top RF is light and fast, but I still want an FP shutter sometimes.

I will not be ditching the crown when I find the speed I want.

 

[djacobox372]

I prefer the side-mounted rangefinder, as they're easy to calibrate for any lens (see instructions at graflex.org). The top mounted requires cams, which may be hard to find a good match for your choice of lens.

Make sure you get one with a graflok back, not the spring back, that way you can add a roll film back if you should choose. Most, if not all, crowns came with the graflok back, but only the newer speed graphics had them.

Lens boards are easy to come by on ebay... someone was selling brand-new remanufactured boards a while back for cheap, but I don't see any of those online right now.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Make sure you get one with a graflok back, not the spring back, that way you can add a roll film back if you should choose. Most, if not all, crowns came with the graflok back, but only the newer speed graphics had them.

Good point. I have the Graflok backs on both my 1928 Graflex Model D and my 1953 Pacemaker Speed Graphic. The Model D has a custom made adapter for the Graflok back.

Steve

 

[BradS]

I presently own both a very nice Speed Graphic and a Crown and while I like them both, the Crown gets used about a hundred times more than the speed. In fact, the Crown is easily my most often used, non 35mm camera. I only shoot the Crown Graphic hand held. If I want/need to a tripod, or movements I'll haul out a more appropriate camera for that activity. Yes, you can accomplish most movements with a crown or speed but, it is a hassle and just not fun. If you want to shoot hand held, get a Crown or Speed - it really doesn't matter which they're both great. If you want to use movements get something else and forget about hand held.

- hand-holdable 4x5 environmental portraiture and documentary, industrial, landscape... etc.

The crown and speed were designed for hand help work. It is how these cameras were meant to be used. They excel at it. I can and very very often do hand hold the crown at 1/50th of a second shutter speed. No problem There are several examples in my flickr stream follow link in signature).

- I don't really need many movements. I would like some tilt and or swing though to create a dreamy look.

Movements? Dreamy look? Forget that gimmicky shit. If your shooting hand held, just focus and shoot. Documentary, environmental portraiture...these are not "dreamy".

- I'm not going to be using a flash.

Me either - cannot afford flash bubs. But the flash handle is very...well, handy.

- Basically I want a 4x5 point and shoot rangefinder.

Get a crown graphic with a well adjusted rangefinder and be happy.

- I have a Fujinon W 135/5.6 lens. Could I get a graphic and use this lens on it? Advantages? disadvantages?

Yeah, you could...I guess...but, I see no real advantage. The stock optar and Xenar are fantastic. The 127mm Kodak Ektar is even better!

- Do either cameras have a revolving back?

No...There is no need for a revolving back. Does your 35mm SLR have a revolving back? Hand held...you wanna shoot portrait, hold the camera on its side!

- Which camera or model has the best rangefinder?

They have the same rangefinder.

- Which one is more suitable for hand-held photography?

I give a slight edge to the Crown - not only because it is lighter but because they are simpler. Shooting hand held is all about being ready and acting fast. The focal plane shutter adds complexity that can slow you down - especially while you're learning. It is one more thing that you have to think about - or can be. Starting out you do not need this added complexity.

- Would there be advantages to having a focal plane shutter?

You can shoot with any old lens you find laying on the side walk. Just hot melt glue it to an scrap of card stock of appropriate dimensions and you're good to go (sounds like I'm kidding. I am not - I've done this with ratty old enlarger lenses that I bought five for ten bucks - and gotten surprisingly good results).

 

[djacobox372]

Yeah, you could...I guess...but, I see no real advantage. The stock optar and Xenar are fantastic. The 127mm Kodak Ektar is even better!

I disagree with this.. I upgraded to a more modern fujinon 150mm lens and there was a significant improvement in contrast. Not to mention the shutter being far more reliable.