Trying to identify yet another new camera

Sean McGown · Nov 13, 2020

https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/107691289

Don't see the usual decals on the rangefinder. Kalart?

Also, I see bunches of different info on the Kodak 101mm f4.5. I have to admit I haven't see a 1/800 sec shutter. Does anyone have experience with these shutters.

Lastly, any body have advice for a 6x9 film back? Even possible on this model?

BradS · Nov 13, 2020

Although advertised as a 4x5, it looks to me like a 2x3 or maybe a 3x4...in other words, it is a baby speed graphic.

The 101mm Ektar is a fantastic lens. Shutter looks like a standard issue Kodak Supermatic...pretty much stock baby speed.

Sean McGown · Nov 13, 2020

I can live with that. Possible to get a medium format film back?

BradS · Nov 13, 2020

Appears to have a plain spring back intended to use standard sheet film holders...for 2x3 sheet film which is medium format. There's a photo of a film holder but, something about it looks not right but...that's what you'll need...some film holders and a box of 2x3 sheet film.

Dan Fromm · Nov 13, 2020

Miniature Speed Graphic with Kalart RF and spring back. 2.25" x 3.25". Sean, since you live in a metric land, " means inch. The likely roll holder is an insertion type. The easiest to find is the Adapt-A-Roll 620, which slips in like a sheet film holder. They will feed film on a 120 spool, must take up on a 620 spool. Beware, there are three sizes to fit, respectively, 2x3, 3x4 and 4x5 cameras. You want one to fit a 2x3 camera.

Brad, "baby Speed Graphic" is widely used but is ambiguous. There's more than one model. Formal names are Miniature Speed Graphic, 2x3 Pacemaker Speed Graphic, 2x3 Pacemaker Crown Graphic and Century Graphic.

Sean McGown · Nov 13, 2020

@Dan Fromm, I'm 100% American, just live down here. That's perfect info since I have plenty of medium film and shoot medium film cameras. And, if you saw my other post, I bought what someone said was an Anniversary which will be 4x5. Any idea if the lens on the Baby will cover 4x5 if I mount it on the board for the 4x5? I read somewhere that the Kodak 101mm is optimized for 6x9 so maybe not.

BradS · Nov 13, 2020

Dan Fromm said:
Miniature Speed Graphic with Kalart RF and spring back. 2.25" x 3.25". Sean, since you live in a metric land, " means inch. The likely roll holder is an insertion type. The easiest to find is the Adapt-A-Roll 620, which slips in like a sheet film holder. They will feed film on a 120 spool, must take up on a 620 spool. Beware, there are three sizes to fit, respectively, 2x3, 3x4 and 4x5 cameras. You want one to fit a 2x3 camera.

Brad, "baby Speed Graphic" is widely used but is ambiguous. There's more than one model. Formal names are Miniature Speed Graphic, 2x3 Pacemaker Speed Graphic, 2x3 Pacemaker Crown Graphic and Century Graphic.

Thank you Dan. I knew that if you found this thread that you would have more accurate info.

shutterfinger · Nov 13, 2020

As Dan said its a Miniature Speed Graphic with a Kalart type F rangefinder.
https://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/miniature-speed-graphic.html
https://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=6684
An adapter kit was made back in the day to attach a Graphic Roll Film Holder in place of the ground glass focus panel. The lens and rangefinder must be calibrated to each other to use a roll film holder without the ground glass. I used .040 inch aluminum to make a washer like holder, flat on one edge bent 90° down to fit against the edge of the roll holder with a hole drilled to match the spring mount hole both top and bottom. Mamiya RB 67 roll film holders work, Pro S and Pro SD will need to have lockouts disabled.

Donald Qualls · Nov 13, 2020

Sean McGown said:
Any idea if the lens on the Baby will cover 4x5 if I mount it on the board for the 4x5? I read somewhere that the Kodak 101mm is optimized for 6x9 so maybe not.

You'll get some disagreement on this, and in fact it varies with different lens designs, but few 100-105mm lenses made for 6x9 cameras will cover 4x5 -- when focused at infinity. However, I've got a 105mm Agnar (Cooke triplet formula) that I use on my Speed Graphic -- haven't yet tried it on my Graphic View. If I set it hyperfocal, about 12 feet, and stop down to f/16, it just covers 4x5 film with a little softness at the extreme corners, no vignetting I can detect. It'd be great for street photography with a Grafmatic -- lock focus at 12 feet, anything beyond six feet is within DOF, and if you load 400 speed film, you can still get shutter speeds of 1/200 or so (even allowing for Sunny f/11 being more real in most of the temperate zone, or nearer the equator if it's not midday). Should make a great macro lens, too; 1:1 only requires 210 mm of bellows (instead of 300 mm for a 150mm lens).

It's sharp, too.

Anniversary Speed Graphic, 105mm f/4.5 Agnar, .EDU (= Fortepan) 400, Parodinal 1:50

xya · Nov 14, 2020

Sean McGown said:
@Dan Fromm...Any idea if the lens on the Baby will cover 4x5 if I mount it on the board for the 4x5? I read somewhere that the Kodak 101mm is optimized for 6x9 so maybe not.

yes, it was optimized for 6x9 and no, it doesn't cover 4x5. I had this one, tested it (nice sharpness and contrast), and gave it away as I only have 4x5 graflexes.

Trying to identify yet another new camera

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency