Where'd you find your Graflex 5x7?

AveryMiller · Dec 1, 2021

Hi all!
I was going through a Graflex Speed Graphic manual, I was amazed to see a mention of a 5x7 speed graphics, something had never heard of!
Despite the various shortfalls of a portable 5x7 camera, the idea of them is just fascinating to me. I've had my eyes peeled for a 5x7 Graflex SLR for some times, but is seems this 5x7 speed graphic is even more rare. So I was curious: if you have a Graflex 5x7 (or any 5x7 press camera), how'd you come into contact with it?

shutterfinger · Dec 1, 2021

https://www.graflex.org/graflex-products-list.html
The 5x7 Speed Graphic was made from 1912 to 1925, top handle.
5x7 Graphic with 4x4 lens board 1930-1939, pre Anniversary.
Number made is unknown.

Sirius Glass · Dec 1, 2021

When camera shows come back, people will occasionally bring 5"x7" cameras to sell. Around 2010 to 2015 I see them for sale in the Washington DC area. I would expect them to pop up again. Of course there is always eBay.

GKC · Dec 1, 2021

I bought my 5x7 Speeder from a camera store, used of course.
I put a 203mm f/7.7 Ektar on the snout and couldn't be happier.

If a 5x7 press camera is what you want , Happy Hunting!

gordrob · Dec 2, 2021

I picked up a Linhof Super Technika V off the Large Format site a few years back and I love it. It is heavy at close to 13lbs without a lens. You can use it on a tripod or handheld. My favorite lenses for it are a 120mm Super Angulon or a Rodenstock 210mm.

GKC · Dec 2, 2021

gordrob said:
I picked up a Linhof Super Technika V off the Large Format site a few years back and I love it. It is heavy at close to 13lbs without a lens. You can use it on a tripod or handheld. My favorite lenses for it are a 120mm Super Angulon or a Rodenstock 210mm.

The Super Technika is a sweet camera!.
The 5x7 Speeder weighs in at 7-1/4 lbs which makes it a wee bit kinder on my back whilst hiking

Vaidotas · Dec 7, 2021

And Taylor, Taylor & Hobson made Cooke Anastigmat series II 8 inch lens, dedicated for Graflex 5x7.

rjmeyer 314 · Dec 27, 2021

I brought my 5x7 Speed Graphic and my 5x7 Auto Graflex off EBay over 20 years ago.For about 5 years the Auto Graflex was the only camera I used.

choiliefan · Dec 28, 2021

I've bought and eventually sold three 5X7 Auto Graflex SLR's through ebay.
My current 5X7 Press Graflex is also an ebay find which I purchased about three years ago for $38.
It was located about 40-minutes away so I picked it up in person.

My experience so far is that the slotted 5X7 double-sided film or plate holders are harder to find than the cameras.
On the other hand, the 5X7 bag magazines and Fairchild Aerotype bag mags are fairly plentiful.

All three of these Auto Graflex came with #34 Kodak Anastigmats. The Press Graflex uses interchangeable lensboards and came with a very rough French Rouselle? 4.5 lens.

Never handled a 5X7 Speed Graphic although quite a few have gone through the bay.
If I were looking to buy or sell today, I'd put out a feeler on one of the FB Graflex groups.

jimgalli · Jan 1, 2022

Have one of each. Ebay. Had the top handle Speed for many years. It's just a shear pleasure in use. Light and easy to use, and fun in a way because of limited options, you just focus on the main thing and let the rest fall as it will. Very freeing. The 5X7 Press Graflex is very recent to me and it's stalled for now while I solve the film holder conundrum. But even when that's done it's like holding a bowling ball while you look down the chimney and focus. First impression; extremely ungainly. Never-the-less I have a burning need to find a monster 1908 Fiat race car barreling around a track so I can copy-cat Lartigue's bent wheels at speed. Just needs to happen!

Sirius Glass · Jan 1, 2022

jimgalli said:
Have one of each. Ebay. Had the top handle Speed for many years. It's just a shear pleasure in use. Light and easy to use, and fun in a way because of limited options, you just focus on the main thing and let the rest fall as it will. Very freeing. The 5X7 Press Graflex is very recent to me and it's stalled for now while I solve the film holder conundrum. But even when that's done it's like holding a bowling ball while you look down the chimney and focus. First impression; extremely ungainly. Never-the-less I have a burning need to find a monster 1908 Fiat race car barreling around a track so I can copy-cat Lartigue's bent wheels at speed. Just needs to happen!

I have never been successful reproducing those elliptical wheel. If you get that photograph, please let us know how you did it.

jimgalli · Jan 1, 2022

He was panning with the action. Thus the people in the stands are leaning one way and the wheels lean the other. Distance from the car would also be critical. He seems to be 20 - 25 feet away. Less than infinity focus, so he must have prefocused and when he saw the car get sharp enough tripped the shutter while he's panning the action. Still, fire breathing Fiat's are hard to find in action now. But we do have dry lakebeds here and Model A Roadsters, so at least we can give it a go.

Also films were very slow in 1908 so at best he's probably at 1/30th second panning.

Sirius Glass · Jan 1, 2022

jimgalli said:
He was panning with the action. Thus the people in the stands are leaning one way and the wheels lean the other. Distance from the car would also be critical. He seems to be 20 - 25 feet away. Less than infinity focus, so he must have prefocused and when he saw the car get sharp enough tripped the shutter while he's panning the action. Still, fire breathing Fiat's are hard to find in action now. But we do have dry lakebeds here and Model A Roadsters, so at least we can give it a go.

Also films were very slow in 1908 so at best he's probably at 1/30th second panning.

I tried that a number of times panning ... but I just cannot get it done correctly. Maybe the key is to have a vintage Fiat to photograph.

jimgalli · Jan 1, 2022

Sirius Glass said:
I tried that a number of times panning ... but I just cannot get it done correctly. Maybe the key is to have a vintage Fiat to photograph.

At risk of hi-jacking the thread but I think what is needed is a Graflex Invitational at the Race of Gentlemen. We simply must get to the bottom of this problem!

AveryMiller · Jan 1, 2022

I've had a blast reading everyone's responses, so thanks to everyone whose commented so far!

gordrob said:
I picked up a Linhof Super Technika V off the Large Format site a few years back and I love it. It is heavy at close to 13lbs without a lens. You can use it on a tripod or handheld. My favorite lenses for it are a 120mm Super Angulon or a Rodenstock 210mm.

I've heard linhof be referred to as "the porsche" of cameras and the V is a great example why, just a beautiful design! And I imagine worth the weight

choiliefan said:
I've bought and eventually sold three 5X7 Auto Graflex SLR's through ebay.
My current 5X7 Press Graflex is also an ebay find which I purchased about three years ago for $38.
It was located about 40-minutes away so I picked it up in person.

My experience so far is that the slotted 5X7 double-sided film or plate holders are harder to find than the cameras.
On the other hand, the 5X7 bag magazines and Fairchild Aerotype bag mags are fairly plentiful.

All three of these Auto Graflex came with #34 Kodak Anastigmats. The Press Graflex uses interchangeable lensboards and came with a very rough French Rouselle? 4.5 lens.

Never handled a 5X7 Speed Graphic although quite a few have gone through the bay.
If I were looking to buy or sell today, I'd put out a feeler on one of the FB Graflex groups.

It's exciting to hear that deals can be had!! I'm always sure to look at listings of unidentified cameras, although I don't know the various models apart from each other enough to recognize them in just a picture (at least, yet). Your tip about facebook groups would have never crossed my mind, there are some very passionate large format groups over there with some really amazing gear!

jimgalli said:
Have one of each. Ebay. Had the top handle Speed for many years. It's just a shear pleasure in use. Light and easy to use, and fun in a way because of limited options, you just focus on the main thing and let the rest fall as it will. Very freeing. The 5X7 Press Graflex is very recent to me and it's stalled for now while I solve the film holder conundrum. But even when that's done it's like holding a bowling ball while you look down the chimney and focus. First impression; extremely ungainly. Never-the-less I have a burning need to find a monster 1908 Fiat race car barreling around a track so I can copy-cat Lartigue's bent wheels at speed. Just needs to happen!

Now this is an idea. The real question is, does anyone here own any century old goggles and race cars?

GKC · Jan 1, 2022

jimgalli said:
He was panning with the action. Thus the people in the stands are leaning one way and the wheels lean the other. Distance from the car would also be critical. He seems to be 20 - 25 feet away. Less than infinity focus, so he must have prefocused and when he saw the car get sharp enough tripped the shutter while he's panning the action. Still, fire breathing Fiat's are hard to find in action now. But we do have dry lakebeds here and Model A Roadsters, so at least we can give it a go.

Also films were very slow in 1908 so at best he's probably at 1/30th second panning.

This sounds like a job for Ortho film, and I just happen to have a box.

jimgalli · Jan 2, 2022

AveryMiller said:
Now this is an idea. The real question is, does anyone here own any century old goggles and race cars?

Yes, when we do this we'll take the wind screen off of the Model A and my high school buddy, Glen, now 70 years old will don a WWII leather helmet and googles. Of course, just a slight miss at 65 per in the ancient Ford with bleary goggles and he'll wipe out an entire line of other old farts with their old black leatherine cameras. These are acceptable risks.

Arthurwg · Jan 2, 2022

I bought my 5x7 Press at a flea market in Manhattan years ago. Seemed to work when I bought it but now appears to be stuck. I think the shutter and mechanism are OK. Need a repair person who won't cheat me.

Sirius Glass · Jan 2, 2022

jimgalli said:
Yes, when we do this we'll take the wind screen off of the Model A and my high school buddy, Glen, now 70 years old will don a WWII leather helmet and googles. Of course, just a slight miss at 65 per in the ancient Ford with bleary goggles and he'll wipe out an entire line of other old farts with their old black leatherine cameras. These are acceptable risks.

Better aim the car downhill with a tailwind.

Where'd you find your Graflex 5x7?

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