Big Iron

Gordon Coale

Gordon Coale

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There doesn't seem to be a forum for large format rangefinders (there must be someone else out there) so I will put this with the much smaller medium format cameras. This is my 3.25 x 4.25 Speed Graphic before stripping.
 
And here it is mostly stripped. I'm removing the leather down to the mahagony, aluminum, and brass. I'm hoping I can get it all back together. It's really pretty simple.
 
Here is what a real focal plane shutter looks like. The Kalart rangefinder is off but it will be refurbished and will stay on this camera. Some remove the focal plane shutter to save weight at this point but the box and shutter are *very* light. It's staying. Unless I screw it up.
 
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The leather pulls off but leaves quite a bit behind. The residue is somewhat water soluble but sanding seems to work best. The leather on the aluminum was bubbling and corroded it. This is unfinished wood.
 
Gordon, the tung oil puts a beautiful finish on the mahogany. Do you plan on covering the aluminum back with leather or some other material? It's a pity that the pitting is so bad and IMO covering the aluminum plate will improve the appearance.

Walker
 
It is a bummer that the aluminum is corroded. No plans on covering. The bottom side of the bed is a complex shape. The thought of filling and painting the aluminum has crossed my mind. It's just more work. Maybe I will just look at it as "textured" aluminum.
 
What lenses do you have for this (now) beauty?

I have the same model; but the leather is in great shape. I do have a "Century Graphic" that could use some beautifying. Another things on my "to-do" list!
 
Gordon

Just a thought on the aluminum pitting. I think Devcon makes a two part liquid aluminum that might fill the pits and can be sanded down flush. Aluminum body filler might also work. I have not tried it but you could experiment on scrap aluminum to see if it would work and how it matches the original aluminum finnish.

Bob
 
Roman -- The Cameraquest page was the inspiration for this. As the Cameraquest site is an inspiration for a lot of things.

Brian -- The camera has the 127mm Kodak Ektar 4.7 in a Supermatic (x) shutter. Googling shows this to be a very sharp lens as are some of the other Ektars like the 203 and 80. The camera is the 3.25 x 4.25 so the 127 will allow a little more movement.

Nikon Bob -- I will look into the aluminum filler. Thanks.

It's been years since I've use a Speed Graphic and I'm looking forward to it. I will be using it as a field camera and using it hand held, so I'm keeping the rangefinder. I'm not interested in flash bulbs but my eBay watch list is now full of Metz 45s.
 
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Thanks for the photos and info Gordon. That really looks like a fun project. Way beyond me I am sure. I really enjoyed the photo of the beast of a focal plane shutter. I guess the 4x5 version is the same except for bigger?
 
The 4x5 is the same except a little larger. There is only .75 inch difference between the formats. I don't know what posessed them to make this format. I came across this camera in a trade in the mid 70s. I think. I don't remember so well from this period. I never used it until I found that J and C sells Efke 100 in this format. This will probably get me to cutting down 4x5 film in the future if this all works out. There is something about using and printing big sheet film.

There is also the Street Photography Safety Factor. I think it was Bill Pierce who told this story. It may be apocryphal. To paraphrase: An old time Speed Graphic user was bemoaning the rise of the little 35mm cameras. "When you hit someone with a Nikon, they go down but they just get right back up. When you hit them with a Speed Graphic, they stay down."

Something to consider.
 
Gordon Coale said:
An old time Speed Graphic user was bemoaning the rise of the little 35mm cameras. "When you hit someone with a Nikon, they go down but they just get right back up. When you hit them with a Speed Graphic, they stay down."
Something to consider.
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That's something my father told me more than 30 years ago; a Speed Graphic was very useful for getting out of tight spots and was a fearsome weapon, especially when folded up. I have my fathers 4x5 and with lots of sharp corners, I well believe it could cause considerable damage.

Another problem that arose when 35mm cameras replaced the Speed Graphic was bad backs. The Speed with a couple of film holders and flash bulbs was all the photographer carried. Not a lot of weight. Along comes the 35mm and suddenly the load increased with extra lens, spare bodies and other gadgets. The additional weight caused some photographers problems with their backs.

Walker
 
I'm always reading these threads without commenting. I know little or nothing about these big beasts, but !dang! they look nice. :)
 
Well, I've got a 2x3 version, but it's really only RF capable, as mine is a "naked" one with only the wire frame and GG for composing/focusing.

I've only taken one roll, of which I got about 4 shots before needing to service the back (now fixed). Need to get out an try another roll now.
 
Graphics are wonderful indeed. Great for tinkering, great for experimenting with various lens, and great for taking photos in general :)
2x3 format is a bit easier to work with, since you can still get film for it (120 format) and use roll backs. And you don't need a LF enlarger :)
For those interested, I have a short article on what I did with mine:
http://www.hrtranslations.com/photo/SG_lens.html.

Here it is, with a homebrew adapted repro "tele" lens:
 
Denis -- I saw your Speed Graphic page in my googling for Speed Graphic information but didn't realize it was yours. Cool! This is another reason to keep the focal plane shutter. I will have to try some lens hacks. (I still need to order some lens caps for you. Soon!)

These are really nice cameras. If anyone has one sitting around they should get it off that shelf and start playing with it.
 
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