1953 Pacemaker Speed Graphic In USE!

venchka

venchka

Veteran
Local time
2:56 PM
Joined
Apr 24, 2006
Messages
6,264
View My Gallery
I bought this camera, 2 lenses, flash & holders about 3 weeks ago. I learned since then that I bought everything from the original owner. I am the second owner of the Speed Graphic & Ektar lens. That is WAY cool!

Yesterday a box of Polaroid backs, Grafmatic back, Polaroid and Ilford HP5+ film arrived. Needless to say I had the camera on a tripod and a Polaroid 545 back in place as soon as I got home. This was the first time I had a 4x5 camera in use since 1969. So? What happened? Nothing on first attempt with Type 51HC film. The next 2 tries worked. Kinda. Sorta. Maybe. Exposures 4 & 5, while the film was exposed, the photos were horrid. I have a long way to go.

Things I learned:

1. The rangefinder and both shutters on the Speed Graphic work. The speeds may not be spot on, but they open and close as expected. No light leaks!
2. After the first abortive effort, the 545 back worked fine.
3. I need a loupe. I’m not sure if the Collinear II is slightly soft or my eyes can’t focus without assistance.
4. Type 51HC film is high contrast for sure. I haven’t seen negatives like this since I was spotting negatives of line work for a printing press.
5. The scans were made by someone else & not the greatest. The prints were scanned. The originals aren’t much better.
6. A Speed Graphic on a tripod draws a crowd. I had a 5 year old peering through the ground glass!
7. Does anyone know what ASA & development time to use with Polaroid Type 51HC film? This stuff is stange.
8. I am really looking forward to using the nearly 100 year old Voigtlander lens.

What a long strange trip this is going to be. 😎

By the way, not everyone will share their outtakes with the public! Both photos were taken wide open. First photo with the Kodak Ektar 127mm/4.7. Second photo with the Voigtlander Collinear II 200m/5.4.

Cheers!
 

Attachments

  • Kodak Ektar 127mm Small.jpg
    Kodak Ektar 127mm Small.jpg
    99.6 KB · Views: 0
  • Voigtlander Collinear II 200mm Small.jpg
    Voigtlander Collinear II 200mm Small.jpg
    94.1 KB · Views: 0
Last edited:
You might try the Polaroid type 55 film- much more manageable contrast there- one of the great films.

I like the Toyo ground glass loupe- simple, but plenty strong. I never shoot LF without it. Should be some of them around on ebay.

The 545 back can be a challenge on the Graflexes- mine had springs that were a little too weak for the older metal back I have- couldn't shoot pointed even slightly up with it.

Sounds like you're having a blast! You'll be shooting 810 in no time!
 
Wayne: Yay! If you don't want to splash out for a "genuine" loupe, I use a Nikkor E-series 50mm lens that was hacked -- mount removed and replaced by a ring cut from a translucent 35mm film canister ... the kind Fuji has used (may still) for their slide films. Works like a champ... a very cheap champ, at that.

I agree about the Type 55. A good print will result in a negative that is too thin, etc. BUT ... a good print is a marvel to behold. From a good neg (+1/2 to 2/3 stop) prints really well in an enlarger, and should give a wonderful scan.
 
I took my Speed Graphic to the Dragon Boat races in Taipei last month...it attracted as much attention as the boats! Most of the attention came from teens-twenties who thought it was cool and couldn't imagine big film and from the elderly who were trying to place the last time they saw one in use 😛

Next week I'm heading to Green Island and Orchid Island off the SE coast of Taiwan and I'm bringing along the graphic with lens (135/4.7 xenar), filmbacks (I haven't decided...either 6 and a changing bag or 12 and no changing bag), and a 6x12 rollfilm back.

Plus a Bessa for backup 😉
 
I have an old Agfa loupe at the house. I'll get it this weekend. AND I have been offered a pair of JOBO tanks for 4x5 at an affordable price. I may be developing some of the HP5+ soon. Naturally I'm pondering developers. That is an exercise in itself. Type 55 P/N is definitely on my shopping list. I have the Polaroid clearing bucket gizmo.

8x10 eh? I met someone last night who has his grandfather's 8x10 camera. He didn't know where to buy film. I told him about B&H, Adorama, Freestyle, etc., etc. I may have to get to know him better.
 
Read the book, Stupid!

Read the book, Stupid!

I read the facts on Type 51 P/N film. The film is designed for copying line art. Duh! The prints are high contrast. For normal negatives I need to shoot at ISO 80. I'll try that.

I have the Polaroid clearing bucket. I will get the chemical to use. How do you clear the Polaroid negatives? Just load them & pour in the clearing chemistry? Let sit how long? If a person had a darkroom, this little holder for 10 sheets & some containers of the proper depth would make a very inexpensive setup.
 
Wayne, IIRC, I had the clearing solution in the bucket, then dunked the negatives in. As for clearing time:

Clear negative: Immerse negative in sulfite solution and agitate
gently for 30–60 seconds or longer, if desired. The solution can be
used in trays (with emulsion side up), or in deep film tanks. Put each
negative through individually or use clip-type film hangers such as
the Kodak #6 hanger. Insert each negative carefully and keep the
negatives from touching each other. Remove tabs and back coat
material. Negative must be cleared of backcoat dyes and residual
layer. Negative may remain in solution up to 72 hours.​

(from the Polaroid datasheet: http://www.polaroid.com/service/filmdatasheets/4_5/55fds.pdf)
 
Thanks Earl. That's what I pictured. The circular holder is really nice. 10 sheets go in easily. The holder would be perfect for dunking in a row of tubs. If you have a real darkroom.

Speaking of 4x5...Did you use all of the 4x5 sleeve pages I sent? If you can spare some I now have a use for them. Same dael as before: I'll send a Hamilton your way.
 
Here it is!

attachment.php
 
Wayne, this makes me want to take the trip to the Cypress country to learn LF photography from you. How far are you from Dallas?
 
Learn from Me?

Learn from Me?

shadowfox said:
Wayne, this makes me want to take the trip to the Cypress country to learn LF photography from you. How far are you from Dallas?
Click to expand...

I'm flattered. You must have mistaken me for someone who knows something. 😱

Seriously, this is my second Graphic. I bought the first one in 1971. Sold it a couple years later. Never exposed any film with it. At the moment, I have made 3-4 exposures with the latest camera. A large format expert I am NOT!

You are welcome to visit and yarn and tell lies and maybe make a picture or 3 anytime. I spend about 99% of my time working in Houston. That leaves little time for fun. I'm generally free Saturday afternoons & Sundays. On the weekends I'm not in Houston (about everyother or every 3rd weekend), I get to home and play in the woods. The house is about 7 miles north and east of Hawkins which is on US 80 about 100 miles east of Dallas. I'll be home for 3 whole days at Labor Day. Send a PM if you want to get together.

OOPS! Mrs. Wayne hasn't seen the Pacemaker. She may need a pacemaker when I finally get around to using it in her presents.
 
Wayne, your post contributed to my brewing LF GAS !!!
Thank you for the invite, I'd have to wait for a while to take up on it because my daugther is too young for hours of driving. But please keep your door open. I'd love to just see an LF camera in action.

Will

venchka said:
I'm flattered. You must have mistaken me for someone who knows something. 😱

Seriously, this is my second Graphic. I bought the first one in 1971. Sold it a couple years later. Never exposed any film with it. At the moment, I have made 3-4 exposures with the latest camera. A large format expert I am NOT!

You are welcome to visit and yarn and tell lies and maybe make a picture or 3 anytime. I spend about 99% of my time working in Houston. That leaves little time for fun. I'm generally free Saturday afternoons & Sundays. On the weekends I'm not in Houston (about everyother or every 3rd weekend), I get to home and play in the woods. The house is about 7 miles north and east of Hawkins which is on US 80 about 100 miles east of Dallas. I'll be home for 3 whole days at Labor Day. Send a PM if you want to get together.

OOPS! Mrs. Wayne hasn't seen the Pacemaker. She may need a pacemaker when I finally get around to using it in her presents.
Click to expand...
 
Indeed they did. I know I did. Way back in 1969 for the U.s. Army. I'm working in that direction. As well as on a tripod. All of my cameras get used both ways.
 
Maybe in Europe and maybe in an auction situation. I stumbled into my recent Pacemaker purchase from an individual I met through a photo forum like this here in Houston. Much less than the prices you may be seeing in Europe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom