Parts for Speed Graphic

Trond · Jul 16, 2008

I just got my Speed Graphic in the mail. It is in good shape, but the black tracks mounted inside the body are broken and need to be replaced.

I got this camera from an eBay auction, and I know I can get many parts from eBay as well. Are there others sources for Speed Graphic parts?

Thanks,
Trond

juan · Jul 16, 2008

Fred Lustig in Nevada has lots of parts and does restoration. He does not have a web presence - not even email. You can find his address and phone number by searching at graflex.org
juan

Fotoguy20d · Jul 16, 2008

You'll spend a lot more on small bits than they're worth - folks part out cameras on ebay because they'll get several times the worth of the whole. You'd be better off buying a trashed camera and using it for parts. I just picked up an Anniversary 4x5 with shot bellows (sellers description) - they turn out to be light tight although the outer layer is cracking in the corners. Anyway, it was fairly cheap given that I'm using the back, rangefinder, viewfinder, infinity stops and FP shutter + mechanism to fill out the bits that need repair on 2 other 4x5s and a 3x4. I'd be happy to sell you the rest cheap but the shipping would probably cost you more than the parts.

Dan

Ian Grant · Jul 16, 2008

Join the Graflex.org website, it's very helpful. But beware I asked for help finding the same parts and got very hostile response. One of the main attackers is banned from APUG

I was given a linkby an APUG member to a website with various Graphic parts and bought new rails there, they weren't cheap, but he had 3 or 4 sets, not sure that I have the link or email on this PC. I'll try & find the website for you.

Ian

Ian Grant · Jul 16, 2008

Luckily I turned on the attackers, and in my reply (on Graflex.org) and I mentioned where I found the parts.

Try Equinox Photographic, John Welch was extremely helpful, and supplied the rails, I only finished the restoration 2 weeks ago nearly 2 years after buyng the spare parts.

Ian

Trond · Jul 17, 2008

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll give Equinox Photographic at try, and perhaps give Fred Lustig a call if that doesn't work out.

Trond

Robert Budding · Jul 17, 2008

Fred is very nice - I purchased a restored Crown Graphic from him a few years ago.

wclavey · Jul 18, 2008

I have rebuilt 2 Graphics from junkers and parts purchased on eBay, at flea markets, etc. - - both Crowns, although the parts have come from both Speeds & Crowns. I have found that there are minor variations in the short rails and guides that are actually mounted inside the body, especially in how they attach to the wooden body, so they are not all just plug compatible... you may need to do a little "adjustment" to make them work.

I have also contacted Fred Lustig for parts that I was not able to find easily and he has a HUGE inventory, but I have found that he is unwilling to separate himself from the parts unless he actually does the installation... at least in the conversations I have had with him. That might be OK for some people, but adding in the cost to ship the camera under reconstruction to him and back and pay his bench charge made the cost prohibitive.

YMMV...

agman · Jul 20, 2008

Fred Lustig is the man. I had a Crown Graphic overhauled by him last month and now works like new. I drove to Reno and left the camera with him and drove back in two weeks to pick it up. Not only did he do a great job, he showed me some things I did not know about that wonderful camera. And reasonable.

Steve

Ian Grant · Jul 20, 2008

When you install the rails there's some shims, you need to use these to make sure the rear and front tracks line up and the focus bed locates smoothly as you move it in & out.

Ian

removed account4 · Aug 1, 2008

hi there

the rails tend to break when the camera is closed and front standard is not rolled back into the case. the easiest way to fix this is to unscrew the tracks in the box, reverse them
and attach them again. the same thing happened to mine, i switched tracks
and it works great.
(it is less expensive than buying parts, or shipping your camera overseas, and it takes about 3 minutes )

good luck!

john

Ian Grant · Aug 1, 2008

I found reversing the rails wasn't a particularly practical proposition, the screw holes and locating lugs don't match up. I'm sure it can be done but replacing with decent rails is far easier.

Ian

Trond · Aug 10, 2008

Just an update: I got the rails on eBay from canyonlandgraphics, and I also bought two incomplete Crown Graphics. So I suppose I'm covered when it comes to parts for some time to come.

mgb74 · Aug 10, 2008

wclavey said:
...I have also contacted Fred Lustig for parts that I was not able to find easily and he has a HUGE inventory, but I have found that he is unwilling to separate himself from the parts unless he actually does the installation... YMMV...

That was my experience as well in the one conversation I had with him. He was not unreasonable in cost; but for what I needed at that point in time it did not justify the repair and shipping cost.

Parts for Speed Graphic

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