Short lenses on 3x4 Graphics

[waynecrider]

I just bought by chance a 3x4 Crown. I have not received the camera yet and don't know the dimensions. Any idea on how short you can go and what lenses will fit the boards?

 

[Dave Wooten]

50 mm? The Mamiya press I think had this lens in its arsenal ...

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

I also have a 3x4 Crown. I need to try my 65mm SA on it but haven't done so yet.

 

[waynecrider]

I also have a 3x4 Crown. I need to try my 65mm SA on it but haven't done so yet.

Tom, are the lens boards the same or different? I know the bed is shorter, but what about the other physical dimensions? TFTH (thanks for the help)

 

[Tom Hoskinson]

Tom, are the lens boards the same or different? I know the bed is shorter, but what about the other physical dimensions? TFTH (thanks for the help)

Wayne, I'll make some measurements when I get home tonight. I have both the 3x4 and the 2.25x3.25 Crown Graphics.

 

[Oren Grad]

Wayne, I have my 3x4 Crown in hand as I write this.

The boards are unique to this format - different from the 4x5 boards, and I think different from the 2x3 boards as well.

With the front standard stowed inside the body, flange-to-film is about 33mm. With the front standard pulled out just far enough to grab hold of the focusing bed, flange-to-film is about 58mm. With the front standard pulled far enough to just clear the body, and allow semi-reasonable finger access to the knobs that control front rise, flange-to-film is about 72mm.

Added later - as far as which lenses will fit, the front standard opening looks like it will swallow a maximum rear cell diameter around 55mm.

 

[waynecrider]

Thanks Oren and Tom. It sounds like a 75mm will be the shortest to allow finger access; If I go shorter it's a no movement proposition, but that may be ok. Can you give me a body dimension front to back. I'm wondering how thick it is.

Oren, any idea as to weight?

 

[Oren Grad]

Can you give me a body dimension front to back. I'm wondering how thick it is.

With the camera closed, from the surface of the bump on the focusing bed in front to the cover of the folding hood in back is about 85mm.

Oren, any idea as to weight?

Just popped it on my postage scale, and it came in at about 4 lb, 4 oz. This is for a body with Graflok back, Kalart RF with viewing tube, Kalart Focuspot, tube finder and leather strap, but no lens or lens board. Oh, and a bit of dust.

 

[waynecrider]

Thanks Oren. It is indeed lighter then my 4x5 Crown which is stripped and over 1lb heavier. My 4x5 has 16mm more depth for the same back.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Minimum Flange-to-Film Distances
For Selected Graphic Cameras
Distance
Size & Model (inches) (mm)

2 1/4 x 3 1/4

Miniature Speed 2 5/16 58.7
Pacemaker Speed 2 7/16 61.9
Pacemaker Crown 1 3/8 34.9
Century 1 3/8 34.9

3 1/4 x 4 1/4

Anniversary 2 1/2 63.5
Pacemaker Speed 2 5/8 66.7
Pacemaker Crown 1 5/8 41.3

4 x 5

Anniversary 2 9/16 65.1
Pacemaker Speed 2 5/8 66.7
Pacemaker Crown 2 1/16 52.4

From Graphic Graflex Photography, 10th Edition

Note, Wayne, that to find out whether a lens will focus on your camera you'll have to find out its flange-to-film distance at infinity.

 

[waynecrider]

Thanks Dan, as usual you are a font of information..

I was hoping to use a 65mm but they usually run pretty big I believe.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Wayne, the 65/8 Ilex (much like the 65/8 SA) is not large.