Crown Graphic Special

[Changeling1]

What does the "special" mean in this camera's name? Is there anyplace where I can find information on this particular model? Has anyone ever used a 65mm Super Angulon 8.0 on this camera? Thanks.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

What does the "special" mean in this camera's name? Is there anyplace where I can find information on this particular model? Has anyone ever used a 65mm Super Angulon 8.0 on this camera? Thanks.

You might start here:
http://www.graflex.org/

 

[BradS]

I don't know for sure but, the examples I've seen left me thinking there was not really any difference between the "Special" and the ordinary Crown Graphic. I may be totally wrong, but I think it was a marketing gimick.

 

[Dan Fromm]

less expensive

 

[Changeling1]

Thanks everyone- I did check the Graflex site. On this camera, the word "Special" appears only on the lensboard that the 135mm Schneider Exenar is mounted on. The other lensboard with a Schneider SA 65mm doesn't have "Special" written on it. I did read somewhere that these Schneider lenses reduced the cost of the camera some $20.00 "back in the day" so Dan From's reply is correct, albeit a somewhat strange marketing ploy on Graflex's part.

 

[df cardwell]

The Special was indeed the bargain version of the Crown Graphic.

Twenty bucks, not all that long ago, was a lot of money.

And, not that long ago, Schneider was not the 'super premium' brand it is today. It always made good stuff, and the Xenar is fine, but the best glass was made in Rochester and it was expensive, whether it said Optar, Raptar, or Ektar.

When the 4x5 market was slowing, and costs had to be cut, lensmaking was shipped offshore, from Rochester to Germany, to Schneider and Rodenstock. Like many things, perception shapes our performance. I've seen folks literally throw out a mint Ektar and pay a premium for a Xenar... just out of ignorance.

Anybody out there know how Joseph Schneider became a lensmaker ?


.

 

[vysk]

Ha, so "Special" does not mean "special". It means "less expensive"

 

[Sirius Glass]

Ha, so "Special" does not mean "special". It means "less expensive"

Does the same apply if your mother called you "Special"?

 

[Neanderman]

Anybody out there know how Joseph Schneider became a lensmaker ?

I know he started out as a brewer, here in the US and went back to Germany to start the lens business.

 

[pramaglia]

The Special was indeed the bargain version of the Crown Graphic.

Twenty bucks, not all that long ago, was a lot of money.

And, not that long ago, Schneider was not the 'super premium' brand it is today. It always made good stuff, and the Xenar is fine, but the best glass was made in Rochester and it was expensive, whether it said Optar, Raptar, or Ektar.

When the 4x5 market was slowing, and costs had to be cut, lensmaking was shipped offshore, from Rochester to Germany, to Schneider and Rodenstock. Like many things, perception shapes our performance. I've seen folks literally throw out a mint Ektar and pay a premium for a Xenar... just out of ignorance.

Anybody out there know how Joseph Schneider became a lensmaker ?


.

Oh boy. Now all those bargain lenses I've been buying on ebay are going to double in price when everybody finds out that old Rochester glass is better than old German glass.

 

[HTF III]

Ha, so "Special" does not mean "special". It means "less expensive"

This is a very old thread I arrived at through a search engine. Seems like every where I look these days I end up at APUG. That's OK. So, I've got this pristine, right-out-of-the-box Crown Graphic Pacemaker with the top mounted rangefinder with light. I'd say, 1960 maybe? Marked "Special" on the lensboard with a Schneider 135 in a Compur shutter. I've treasured and protected it from the least little handling mark, even have the wood block. For at least the last 25 years I've believed I had something, and here some of you guys say the Schneider lens is 2nd-rate? Well they used Schneider lenses on Rolleiflexes way before this Crown was made. So by the logic I see on this thread, Rolleiflexes are junk too.
I find it nearly impossible to believe that the Wollensak Optar is better glass than this. Ektar, maybe. But then I learn something new every day on this APUG. But this tidbit is mighty hard to swallow. Any learned input would be appreciated. I'll mark this thread for possible reply. If it turns out my Crown is not as hot as I always thought, then it's out the door. I've still got my Pacemaker Crown with Kalart I can go out an d use it, because it's in nice shape, but I don't protect it like an egg. Thanks.

 

[Pioneer]

If it is original, and is in mint condition, I seriously doubt that the fact that it was an economy version at one time will be a concern. In fact, in some cases these economy versions end up being worth more if there are fewer of them out there. However, it would certainly be worth finding out just how much it may be worth.

 

[shutterfinger]

Another post from a trusted expert on Graflex Corp:
http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=455

A brochure:
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_7.html

and a way to date it:
http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=3321



post the serial number of your other graphic if you would like an approximate dom.