Anyone ever had an urge to play around with a Crown/Speed Graphic? I ran across a super nice Speed Graphic 4x5 with 135 Graflex Optar 4.7 lens and all the goodies including flash gun, bulbs, case, etc but no film holders. Are those still obtainable in decent shape?
Speed Graphic 4x5
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Sure, all of that stuff is not hard to find. Mine is a Pacemaker Speed Graphic and it's in very good shape: both the focal plane and lens shutters seem accurate, the bellows is good, the rangefinder is good, and even the beam-focus works. Movements are adequate for what I do.
I have plenty of 4x5 film holders, but just one Grafmatic holder - which is a clever little mechanism.
Actually, the flash is a bit hard to find because the Star Wars folks appropriate them for Light Sabers.
I have plenty of 4x5 film holders, but just one Grafmatic holder - which is a clever little mechanism.
Actually, the flash is a bit hard to find because the Star Wars folks appropriate them for Light Sabers.
Would it be worth the purchase? I know zero about those sort of cameras but was always intrigued by them.This is it...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151867582655?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/151867582655?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
You can learn a lot about the camera at www.graflex.org and ask questions on www.graflex.org/forum.
Keep your eyes open - there are some more out there. And, no, I'm not selling mine. You can definitely find filmholders. If you get one with a good focal plane shutter, you can have fun making your own lenses and use barrel lenses as well. Lots of fun to be had. 
That was a little bit of a bummer as it looked like it was in such good condition. I did run across a Crown Graphic but, I don't know the difference between it and the Speed Graphic. I guess I need to look over that link Sirius provided.
A Crown Graphic uses the shutter in the lens.
A Speed Graphic can use either the shutter in the lens or the focal plane shutter.
A Speed Graphic can use either the shutter in the lens or the focal plane shutter.
That looked like a good camera and a good buy, especially with the case and flash. There's plenty of nice one's out there.
Yes, but with the Speed Graphic you can take photographs like this
but you cannot do it with a Crown Graphic.
A clue for you.
Look at the wheels and people and telegraph poles and work out why they are leaning in opposite directions. Its not the lens doing the distorting.
The effect is caused by the focal plane shutter.
It only distorts when you photograph something moving. In the sample image the photographer panned the camera to follow the car, the wheels and people are leaning because the moving slit in the shutter captures the bottom of the photograph before the top. This type of photograph lead to the now iconic depiction of speed in illustrations by using similar distortion. If you are using a tripod to film still subjects you will never see this effect. The Crown does not have the focal plane shutter so cannot do this, the speed can do this but doesn't have to. The speed gives you the option of using this effect to imply motion in a way that a leaf shutter cannot.
That slanting distortion is due to the slit in the focal plane shutter traveling vertically. The same thing happens to a lesser degree in smaller cameras with a focal plane shutter.
As for the camera you missed out on, the selling price was reasonable, considering the extras and its clean appearance. One can get by without the case, flash, and sync cords. Just the camera and a few film holders fit in smaller cases. Perhaps better yet, a small case for just the film holders and maybe a light meter, and carry the camera folded up for protection. When shopping for these cameras, if you never intend to use a focal plane shutter, the Crown Graphic may be a better choice than the slightly heavier and bigger Speed Graphic. The Crown may also be better with really wide angle lenses because the body is shallower due to the lack of focal plane shutter. Until one is familiar with Graphics, it's wise to have a knowledgeable photographer check the ads. Sometimes these cameras are missing small parts like a battery cover or infinity stops. Some sellers are also inexperienced with them, and can't advise a buyer on faults.
There are other press cameras that some photographers like as well as the Graphic line. B&J has a revolving back, handier than rotating a Graphic on a tripod. It also has more versatile front tilts, and it takes the once common 4" square lens boards that are easier to fabricate than the stamped aluminum boards for later Graphics. Even the old Anniversary model of Graphic is better for a very few uses. Other press cameras like the Busch, Meridian, and MPP each have their good points. The Linhof is prized by some owners, and priced accordingly.
As for the camera you missed out on, the selling price was reasonable, considering the extras and its clean appearance. One can get by without the case, flash, and sync cords. Just the camera and a few film holders fit in smaller cases. Perhaps better yet, a small case for just the film holders and maybe a light meter, and carry the camera folded up for protection. When shopping for these cameras, if you never intend to use a focal plane shutter, the Crown Graphic may be a better choice than the slightly heavier and bigger Speed Graphic. The Crown may also be better with really wide angle lenses because the body is shallower due to the lack of focal plane shutter. Until one is familiar with Graphics, it's wise to have a knowledgeable photographer check the ads. Sometimes these cameras are missing small parts like a battery cover or infinity stops. Some sellers are also inexperienced with them, and can't advise a buyer on faults.
There are other press cameras that some photographers like as well as the Graphic line. B&J has a revolving back, handier than rotating a Graphic on a tripod. It also has more versatile front tilts, and it takes the once common 4" square lens boards that are easier to fabricate than the stamped aluminum boards for later Graphics. Even the old Anniversary model of Graphic is better for a very few uses. Other press cameras like the Busch, Meridian, and MPP each have their good points. The Linhof is prized by some owners, and priced accordingly.
This was another I was looking at. does it all look intact and a decent price?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381449633501?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/381449633501?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
It looks good and it is from a seller with a high rating. The price is about right.
Because of the focal plane shutter the Speed Graphic can go to 1/1000 second. The lenses on the Speed Graphic and the Crown Graphic can only go as short as 1/400 second.
Yes, but with the Speed Graphic you can take photographs like this
but you cannot do it with a Crown Graphic.
I sure stirred up a heap of trouble with this photograph!
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