David H. Bebbington said:I already own 5 Graphics but have just acquired a 4x5" Super Speed Graphic. It is in solid usable condition but has the following parts missing:
1) Track lock lever
2) Battery compartment cover
3) Detent button for revolving back
4) Maker's ID plate (inside front bed).
These are nuisances rather than disasters, except that the battery compartment cover also stops dirt getting into the rangefinder. As the e-bay seller did not mention these points, I feel I have good cause to return the camera if I wish.
I have 2 questions:
1) Do I have any hope of finding the missing parts?
2) Is the Rodenstock/Graflex Optar lens in the 1/1000 sec. shutter a desirable collector's item? It is in very good shape but has no normal flash contact and takes a non-standard filter size, so I probably would not use it much. I also understand the shutter is not very robust.
All advice welcome!
Regards,
David
David H. Bebbington said:I already own 5 Graphics but have just acquired a 4x5" Super Speed Graphic. It is in solid usable condition but has the following parts missing:
1) Track lock lever
2) Battery compartment cover
3) Detent button for revolving back
4) Maker's ID plate (inside front bed).
These are nuisances rather than disasters, except that the battery compartment cover also stops dirt getting into the rangefinder. As the e-bay seller did not mention these points, I feel I have good cause to return the camera if I wish.
I have 2 questions:
1) Do I have any hope of finding the missing parts?
2) Is the Rodenstock/Graflex Optar lens in the 1/1000 sec. shutter a desirable collector's item? It is in very good shape but has no normal flash contact and takes a non-standard filter size, so I probably would not use it much. I also understand the shutter is not very robust."
As others have pointed out, the camera is probably useable without the missing items but I think I'd try to return it because of them.
The battery door will set you back $39.00 from MPX. If the whole metal lever to release the revolving back is missing I would reject but if it is only the little plastic tab that was at the end of the lever on some of them it wouldn't bother me.
The lens have a bad reputation but part of that comes from mis-use. The later ones are suppose to be much more sturdy than the first production.
Incidently the 1000 shutter uses standard series 6 filters - the lens hood comes off when you rotate it counter clockwise.
I currently have 3 Super Graphics and have had 5 over the years. They are strudy and compact. My personal experience with the 1000 shutter has been excellent but I only use it occasionally and it would not be my first choice for an only lens with this camera. I would get a 135 or 150 Ronar in a Copal shutter.
Good luck in Super Graphicdom.
bart
Thanks for the info, Bart. Almost all my boards are modern reproduction boards (black finish) with small bosses at top and bottom and larger ones at the side. I am still trying to figure out the practical advantage of the electrical release over a cable release - the beauty of a regular leaf shutter is that all movements of parts are symmetrical, making for very low vibration. As I said, the 1000 shutter seems clunky in comparison. Seems like an answer to a question no one asked. I think I'd rather have the "FocuSpot" feature of the Crown Special, where the batteries in the rangefinder allow you to project two light beams on the subject and focus in total darkness.bart Nadeau said:The regular Speed and Crown lens boards fit, but have their "bosses" on the top and bottom. Super boards use "bosses" on the sides. Graflex put the bosses on both top and bottom and sides after the Super was released. You can use old Speed boards on a Super but will have to stamp the bosses in or the board will be loose on the camera.
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