Speed vs Crown Graphic in 2 1/4 by 3 1/4

narsuitus · Jan 9, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Using roll film in a press camera or view camera makes no sense. That is just dragging around a heavier than necessary camera to shoot a roll of film.

When I am shooting subjects with medium format roll film but then need to shoot something that requires view camera movement, I would rather use a roll film adapter with my view camera verses shooting the subject with sheet film so I only have to develop a batch of roll film instead of developing a batch of roll film and a batch of sheet film.

Dan Fromm · Jan 9, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Using roll film in a press camera or view camera makes no sense. That is just dragging around a heavier than necessary camera to shoot a roll of film.

Eh? Wot? Press and view cameras accept interchangeable lenses.

You're right if your goal is to shoot with only with a normal lens, or with just one w/a lens, as with some Fujis. But if you're going to use more than one lens, a fixed lens camera just won't do.

juan · Jan 10, 2021

FYI - this guy stumbled upon one of the Speed Graphic Model 1000s at a thrift store.
http://youtu.be/D2rNzXcmueY

Dan Fromm · Jan 10, 2021

juan said:
FYI - this guy stumbled upon one of the Speed Graphic Model 1000s at a thrift store.
http://youtu.be/D2rNzXcmueY

Thanks for posting.

The camera is a top RF Pacemaker Crown Graphic in beautiful condition. It was made in 1960, has an Optar-badged Rodenstock lens in the fast shutter on a Super Graphic board. The lens is probably an Ysarex (tessar type). Although the top lens board slider is marked "Speed Graphic" the camera doesn't have a focal plane shutter.

That the fellow doesn't use the body release, which seems to be hooked up, is surprising.

Cholentpot · Jan 10, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
Using roll film in a press camera or view camera makes no sense. That is just dragging around a heavier than necessary camera to shoot a roll of film.

I can shoot 6x9 out of a Century Graphic for a fraction of the price that it would have cost me to get a 6x9 camera. It's light and quick to use too.

It's also the coolest thing I can carry around. Shooting a press camera is so cool that hipsters haven't even glommed onto it.

BrianShaw · Jan 10, 2021

Cholentpot said:
It's also the coolest thing I can carry around. Shooting a press camera is so cool that hipsters haven't even glommed onto it.

Shhhhhhhhh...

Cholentpot · Jan 10, 2021

BrianShaw said:
Shhhhhhhhh...

The prices of these things are going to skyrocket at some point. Mark my words.

Xpan? Nah, try XXPAN! For a tenth of the price!

35mm through one of these little guys and you have these panoramas. Amazing stuff.

Dan Fromm · Jan 10, 2021

Cholentpot said:
Xpan? Nah, try XXPAN! For a tenth of the price!

35mm through one of these little guys and you have these panoramas. Amazing stuff.

You probably don't know it and would deny it if you do know but you're very close to quoting a comment on the Century/2x3 Crown that I've posted more than once. "Who needs an Xpan? The Century/2x3 Crown cost much less and can do much more."

By using 35 mm in one you're giving up the cropping opportunities that using 120 film and lenses that cover 2.25" x 3.25" offer. To get an idea of the lenses that can be used on these cameras, see https://1drv.ms/x/s!AggQfcczvHGNgYhYGeQuOzsBIyw8Og?e=uIWOnL for wide angle lenses and http://www.galerie-photo.com/telechargement/dan-fromm-6x9-lenses-v2-2011-03-29.pdf for lenses I've used.

Cholentpot · Jan 10, 2021

Dan Fromm said:
You probably don't know it and would deny it if you do know but you're very close to quoting a comment on the Century/2x3 Crown that I've posted more than once. "Who needs an Xpan? The Century/2x3 Crown cost much less and can do much more."

By using 35 mm in one you're giving up the cropping opportunities that using 120 film and lenses that cover 2.25" x 3.25" offer. To get an idea of the lenses that can be used on these cameras, see https://1drv.ms/x/s!AggQfcczvHGNgYhYGeQuOzsBIyw8Og?e=uIWOnL for wide angle lenses and http://www.galerie-photo.com/telechargement/dan-fromm-6x9-lenses-v2-2011-03-29.pdf for lenses I've used.

I stuck to the 101 because I had the kalart calibrated for it. With the synced rangefinder the camera because very fast to use. A rangefinding DoubleXPan!

I'd love to scan the sprockets too but my DSLR scanning rig can't pull it off. With the abundance of cine film I've collected, shooting 8 shots on a roll of 24 doesn't hurt too much and it looks pretty darn good.

Paul Howell · Jan 10, 2021

I found the manual for the miniature speed online, and only one line concerning the shutters, "The Speed Graphic is usually provided with 2 shutters; the focal-plane shutter, and a between the lens shutter." Usually means that some were produced with only one shutter? My speed is 2 1/2 inches deep to shallow for the focal plane shutter, there are no drills holes for one either. On the top of my example is what I think is a a store decal, Flaton.

Luckless · Jan 10, 2021

Cholentpot said:
Shooting a press camera is so cool that hipsters haven't even glommed onto it.

My beard, hat, local brew ciders, and Busch Pressman apparently disagree...

Cholentpot · Jan 10, 2021

Luckless said:
My beard, hat, local brew ciders, and Busch Pressman apparently disagree...

I brew my own beer, beard at times and wear a hat as part of my religious attire.

Uh oh...

Dan Fromm · Jan 10, 2021

Paul Howell said:
I found the manual for the miniature speed online, and only one line concerning the shutters, "The Speed Graphic is usually provided with 2 shutters; the focal-plane shutter, and a between the lens shutter." Usually means that some were produced with only one shutter? My speed is 2 1/2 inches deep to shallow for the focal plane shutter, there are no drills holes for one either. On the top of my example is what I think is a a store decal, Flaton.

Stop dreaming. Accept reality. People have been know to remove Speed Graphics' focal plane shutters.

shutterfinger · Jan 10, 2021

Paul, why don't you bite the bullet and post the serial number then Dan or I can tell you whether it was a custom body or not???

Paul Howell · Jan 10, 2021

I don't see one. BTW, it's not a store decal, very faint, on the front of the rails, the cross bar, engraved G. Flaton, the name of the owner.

shutterfinger · Jan 10, 2021

Read post 19 and click on the thumbnail.

EDIT:
My Miniature is 2 7/8 inches deep from front edge of the body to the back mount edge; it is 1 3/4 inches deep from the front edge of the body to the bellows mount plate; and its serial number is shown in the attached picture.

kmcsmart · Jul 18, 2023

Cholentpot said:
The prices of these things are going to skyrocket at some point. Mark my words.

Xpan? Nah, try XXPAN! For a tenth of the price!

35mm through one of these little guys and you have these panoramas. Amazing stuff.

What setup are you using for 35mm film on your Century? I’d love to give it a try.

Cholentpot · Jul 18, 2023

kmcsmart said:
What setup are you using for 35mm film on your Century? I’d love to give it a try.

It's been a while. I fabricated a leader out of 120 paper. I use some 3D printed knobs to get the 35mm can to fit in. I use a Graflex 6x9 and a Horseman 6x7 holder. Lens is a standard 101mm I think.

The last thing I did with alternate films was some 16mm through the back. I got some crazy wide images.

Speed vs Crown Graphic in 2 1/4 by 3 1/4

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