Speed Graphic Modification...

[JohnRichard]

Would it be a shear travesty if I mounted a dead shoe on the top of my Speed Graphic, and then attached a Sekonic L-208, or Voigtlander Meter II to it?

There is plenty of space on the top of my Speed. Looks to be two film canisters long, end to end from the weird Graflex finder to the left hand strap.
I guess its more the size of a pack of Camel 99's.

That's a lot of real estate for a little coldshoe and a light meter.

Thoughts?

P.S. I don't really care about the resale value of my speed. I use it, because it is meant to be used.

 

[mike c]

I can'nt see it hurting the functions of the camera any,if it helps in you using it more it be fine to me. Such a small thing wouldn't be noted anyway.

Mike

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

I have a Speed that was modified like that, but with the addition of a center screw in the cold shoe and a soldered wire to a Bi-post flash cord, when it worked it was very nice, popped a Vivitar 283 on there for 4x5 fill flash. The wire has seen its last days now however.

 

[BetterSense]

Where are you getting the shoe? I would like to put a shoe on my speed for putting viewfinders, flashes, and such, but I don't know where I'd get a shoe that could be screwed down.

 

[BradS]

Adding an accessory shoe doesn't seem like such a bad thing to do to a Graphic. I've seen much more heinous acts of violence carried out on the poor cameras.....an accessory shoe would actually be a welcome addition.

Strobo-frame offer a very sturdy and versatile accessory shoe...

 

[keithwms]

Putting a digital back on there would not be acceptable, but other modifications will be fine, just fine

 

[BradS]

Putting a digital back on there would not be acceptable, but other modifications will be fine, just fine

I was actually thinking of some of the butchering that people have actually done...like grinding down the front lock plate to allow the front to swing! Which is an abomination and heinous act of violence against these fine cameras! It just make me want to cry when people butcher the Graphics like that.

 

[JohnRichard]

Awesome! I haven't sourced a shoe yet, but when I do, I will let everyone know.

 

[Barry S]

I have an L-208 and find it's much easier to use hanging around my neck. I tried mounting it to the cold shoe on a GSW690II and found it very inconvenient to meter. It's a pain to use the mounted L-208 for incident readings, and for reflected reading and I'd rather point the meter and take my readings before getting out the camera. Keep in mind, that the meter display will be on top of the camera--not very convenient if the groundglass is at eye level. Also, the dark mass of the bellows may be in the L-208's fairly broad cone of reading area. Man, do I sound negative or what? Just try it.

 

[Christiaan Phleger]

Yeah, the Stroboframe shoe is good, there is a 1/4 thread on the bottom, you then could bold it on to the top, just would take a 1/4 drilled hole, make sure you check the clearances with the camera open and closed, mine is off to the far right (facing lens) so opposite the Kalart Rangefinder. I might change over my shoe to the strobo one, I have that kicking around somewhere...