Speed Graphic Repair and Lens Recommendation

pixelrandy · Nov 24, 2014

Hi,

I'm really new to shooting 4x5. I purchased a Speed Graphic Pacemaker a few months back. While I'm happy with the results, I'd like a lens with a longer focal length. I'm having a hard time figuring out what the markings on the front of this lens mean:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelrandy/15287039899/

Is the lens 150 mm or 265 mm?

I'd like to get a longer lens as I am often shooting objects (trees, clouds, rock formations) from a distance and I'd like about twice the reach I'm currently getting.

So here's what I'd like to do and I'd appreciate recommendations if my plan isn't wise, etc.

- Lens recommendations would be appreciated
- Once I have the new lens, I'd like to send the camera and lens to someone that can install new bellows and calibrate and possibly repair the range finder so that it's calibrated to the new lens. It's not calibrated with my current lens, but I'm okay with that.

I'd love to hear lens recommendations for a longer lens and someone that knows these cameras and can do any needed repairs. I got the camera for a great deal, so I don't mind spending money getting it back to proper working order. I have a second lens plate (correct terminology?), so I'm good there.

Thank you in advance!

Cheers,

Randy

PS - Here's a shot I took with the current lens about a month ago. https://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelrandy/15027850273/

Jim Noel · Nov 24, 2014

It is a convertible lens. With both elements in , it is a 150 mm. With the front element removed, it is 265, which answers your need fora longer lens. It will be a little soft, but very usable. Use the green f-stop markings for the 265.
The repairs you are talking about may cost more than the camera.

Fotoguy20d · Nov 24, 2014

Is that your camera in the photo?. The top rf uses cams, assuming the linkage is still together (does the rf move when you adjust the bed?). If the rf is missing parts, forget about using it - more trouble and expense than is worth. Bellows is an easy replacement, around $40 for the part and an hour or so.

Dan

Pioneer · Nov 24, 2014

Looks like a nice camera. Your lens is a convertible 150mm/265mm lens with a maximum aperture of f/5.6. Your Sinar Symmar is made by Schneider Krueznach, a very reputable lens company known for good optics. I am sure that www.largeformatphotography.com will have a lot of information on the lens. It is considered a normal lens for 4x5, similar to 50mm on a 35mm camera. In my experience 150mm is a bit longer than typical for Speed Graphics. 135mm or 127mm seems more common as these cameras were often used by press photographers who wanted the wider perspective.

Dan Fromm · Nov 24, 2014

As has already been mentioned, your lens' (both cells mounted in the shutter) focal length is 150 mm and the rear cell's focal length is 265 mm. Your 4x5 Pacemaker Speed Graphic doesn't have enough extension to focus the rear cell alone to infinity, let alone closer.

If you want a longer lens, by all means get one. The longest non-telephoto lens that makes sense on a 4x5 Graphic is a 210. There are many, look on eBay or at keh.com.

If you want a still longer lens, your only choices are telephotos. Original issue teles for your camera were 10" (also engraved 250 mm)/5.6 TeleOptar (also sold as TeleRaptar) and 15" (also engraved 370 mm)/5.6 TeleOptar (ditto). In addition there were Schneider TeleXenars and TeleArtars and Rodenstock Rotelars. The 270/5.6 Rotelar was sold with a variety of slightly smaller apertures as a TeleOptar.

Opinions on the Wollensak Teles (Optar, Raptar) are divided, some love 'em, others think they're best used as paperweights. Same for the TeleXenars and Rotelars. TeleArtons, however, get consistently good reports.

Don't succumb to an 8"/5.6 TeleOptar, it is strictly for 2x3. And be careful when shopping for TeleArtons, not all cover 4x5. Check here http://web.archive.org/web/20100922053809/http://www.schneiderkreuznach.com/archiv/archiv.htm for more into on TeleArtons.

pixelrandy · Nov 24, 2014

So much great info here! I'll have to process it all tonight and will play with the lens while I'm at it.

I'm in $40 for the camera and another $40 for the holders. It came with a 6x9 back too. Hmm, there were extra bits in the original metal case it came in (I've since moved it to a Think Tank Backpack as it doesn't fit in its case with the tripod plate mounted to the bottom). It seems there were lots of little metal rods, etc. Perhaps those are part of the RF cam system. Anyways, I don't mind putting a few hundred in repairs if I can get the RF working correctly.

Bummer about the lens not focusing to infinity when converted. Might make a great portrait lens at that length, but then I'm back to the range finder not working.

Thanks everyone!

Great info on the lens too. Really appreciate all your help.

Cheers,

Randy

Sirius Glass · Nov 24, 2014

Check out www.graflex.com in the Help Section. 45PSS does camera Speed Graphic repair.

shutterfinger · Nov 24, 2014

You need to read http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_4.html . To download it you open each page and save or print it.
I'm that person mentioned on the other site. I'm backlogged at the moment. I'll send you a pm on servicing fees once you figure out what you need and find another lens. I do not have parts and finding a new bellows will be difficult but they can be made by some companies.

removed account4 · Nov 24, 2014

you might be able to use your lens converted if you make a lens board that sticks out
sort of like a cone.
i've got both a 10" and 15" teleraptars and i can't complain, they are nice lenses
but as dan said YMMV

hamradio · Nov 24, 2014

It's hard to go wrong with an Ektar 203/7.7, too. Fairly cheap on eBay, and a great performer on 4x5.

Sirius Glass · Nov 24, 2014

My experience is that a 210mm lens is hard to accurately aim and compose handheld. I use a tripod for the 210mm lens and focus on the ground glass.

Alan Gales · Nov 24, 2014

Look for a Rodenstock Geronar 210mm f/6.8 lens or the Caltar version. I have seen some of these recently sell for less than $100.00 on Ebay. Of course they are up and down in price due to Ebay being an auction.

I had the Caltar version and it would fold up inside my Crown Graphic. It was snug but it fit.

Alan Gales · Nov 24, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
My experience is that a 210mm lens is hard to accurately aim and compose handheld. I use a tripod for the 210mm lens and focus on the ground glass.

In my opinion hand holding large format is silly. The film costs too much to be doing this.

Isn't that what they invented Hasselblads for?

Sirius Glass · Nov 24, 2014

Alan Gales said:
In my opinion hand holding large format is silly. The film costs too much to be doing this.

Isn't that what they invented Hasselblads for?

Handholding a view camera does not make sense, however Graflexes, Crown Graphics and Speed Graphics were designed and built to be used handheld. The Graflex company also built 5"x7" handheld cameras. I shoot most of my 4"x5" photographs handheld.

I would not handhold a 8"x10" camera.

Alan Gales · Nov 24, 2014

Sirius Glass said:
Handholding a view camera does not make sense, however Graflexes, Crown Graphics and Speed Graphics were designed and built to be used handheld. The Graflex company also built 5"x7" handheld cameras. I shoot most of my 4"x5" photographs handheld.

I would not handhold a 8"x10" camera.

Yes, they were indeed designed for that. I just feel that 4x5 and 5x7 film is a bit pricey for handheld shooting.

removed account4 · Nov 24, 2014

Alan Gales said:
In my opinion hand holding large format is silly. The film costs too much to be doing this.

Isn't that what they invented Hasselblads for?

that's why they have a sports finder, works great with 6". 10" and the 15" tele's ..
i used to shoot buildings being demolished hand held with a 15" ... never had trouble ...

Alan Gales · Nov 24, 2014

jnanian said:
that's why they have a sports finder, works great with 6". 10" and the 15" tele's ..
i used to shoot buildings being demolished hand held with a 15" ... never had trouble ...

I believe you.

It's just much easier to get a shot that has camera shake or the framing is slightly crooked when shooting hand held than when using a tripod. Like I said, it is just my opinion. I've stated it before on the LFPF and a pro told me told me that it took him years to figure that out.

Axle · Nov 25, 2014

hamradio said:
It's hard to go wrong with an Ektar 203/7.7, too. Fairly cheap on eBay, and a great performer on 4x5.

I'll second this, it was my first LF lens. I just need to pony up and get a lens board for my Crown Graphic so I can use it again.

John Koehrer · Nov 26, 2014

jnanian said:
you might be able to use your lens converted if you make a lens board that sticks out
sort of like a cone.

AKA "top hat"

Speed Graphic Repair and Lens Recommendation

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