Graflex Pacemaker Speed Graphic..anyone?

The Speed Graphic is a wonderful machine, capable of most any photographic task. If you have never shot any large format before, it's a revelation, and the SG is a great start. The Crown Graphic is lighter, missing only the focal plane shutter. The Crown, because it's a little thinner, will take a wider range of of wide angle lenses.
This was taken with my 1947 Speed 3x4 using the original Optar 135mm lens. Rangefinder focussing, of course.

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The Optar is a good Tessar type lens, coated, and manufactured by Wollensak. This is "only" a 6x9 chrome, shot with a roll film adapter.

Have at it, man. Graphics rock. Consider a metal bodied Super Graphic if you want more view camera type movements.
 
Speed Graphic here, with the 127mm Kodak Ektar lens. Still very early on the learning curve here, but improving. 🙂

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I dont use it much (plan to use it more soon though) but it is a great LF camera. The 127 ektar lens on mine is nice, real 3d look, and looks nice close to wide open too. the focal plane shutter is of limited use, i wish it went down to lower speeds and would sync an electronic flash, but I have used some cool vintage barrel lenses with it too. Would still jump on a aero ektar 178 f2.5 or 305 f2.5 if one came up cheap
many LF cameras smaller and lighter by far, but the speed graphic is tougher and pops into action quicker, and the rf (which I dont use) would be handy too. Maybe a linhof is better but they are heaps more expensive too.
 
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