Pirate
Guitar playing Fotografer
Saw this photo here on the forum the other day and would love to know what kind of set-up this is. I want this!!
Thanks
Thanks

cklammer
Member
Mamiya C220 or C330?
Looks like a mix of old-style design medium format press camera and a comparatively modern electronic flash unit which IMO date the picture (together with the type of foam cup and style of clothing depicted) to late 70ties or early 80ties ... which would be the right period for the Mamiyas.
Looks like a mix of old-style design medium format press camera and a comparatively modern electronic flash unit which IMO date the picture (together with the type of foam cup and style of clothing depicted) to late 70ties or early 80ties ... which would be the right period for the Mamiyas.
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
That must be a Graflex 4x5 camera with a grip and a Metz CT-3 flash attached. Might be a Crown Graphic, with a top mounted Kalart or similar rangefinder.
Doesn't this guy work off Coney Island somewhere? I've seen this rig before...
Doesn't this guy work off Coney Island somewhere? I've seen this rig before...
achi4
Member
I am quite certain it is a Graflex Speed Graphic.
More than 50 years ago, I used one when I was a student at the `Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a photographer for the M.I.T. magazine, and for the Yearbook.
best regards
maurice
More than 50 years ago, I used one when I was a student at the `Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a photographer for the M.I.T. magazine, and for the Yearbook.
best regards
maurice
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
It looks like a Speed Graphic to me. The Mamiya C220/C330's are TLRs, not press cameras.
crawdiddy
qu'est-ce que c'est?
Now that's a lot of camera.
Pirate
Guitar playing Fotografer
I want a set up just like that!
What do I need to buy??
What do I need to buy??
back alley
IMAGES
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
I want a set up just like that!
What do I need to buy??
A cup of coffee for the gentleman holding your setup
It looks like a Graphic 4x5 camera, speed or crown I can't tell. And a large flash with grip, probably a Metz.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Yeah, it's a later Graphic 4x5 with a top mounted rangefinder. I can't tell in this photo if it's a Speed or Crown, the focal plane shutter winding key is not visible but could be blocked by the flash and bracket.
I have two earlier Graphics, one Crown, one Speed. Both have side mounted Kalart rangefinders. The Crown is going "nude" and is becoming a field camera slowly. The Speed is 99% restored. The only things missing are a few metal tabs on the focal plane shutter curtain which trip the flash. These curtains haven't been available for years and so I'm trying to get as much life out of this original one. I may sew some copper foil into the edge of the shutter for the flash synch. Focal plane flash or no, it's still a GREAT camera system.
Phil Forrest
I have two earlier Graphics, one Crown, one Speed. Both have side mounted Kalart rangefinders. The Crown is going "nude" and is becoming a field camera slowly. The Speed is 99% restored. The only things missing are a few metal tabs on the focal plane shutter curtain which trip the flash. These curtains haven't been available for years and so I'm trying to get as much life out of this original one. I may sew some copper foil into the edge of the shutter for the flash synch. Focal plane flash or no, it's still a GREAT camera system.
Phil Forrest
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
The Pacemakers had brushed aluminum lensboards, not black. The early Graphics and Anniversary models had black lensboards, some had black trim & front standard hardware. the top mounted RF places this as a later model, but he also probably has a few lenses mounted in whatever lensboards he could find. There was a lot of mixing and matching in the factory and over the last 70 years many cameras have been scavenged to make working bodies. I have enough parts to make a third Crown but no body/bed assembly.
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
Renzsu
Well-known
That shot's mine, he told me his mentor was that guy that's always outside of B+W with a similar camera.
Pirate
Guitar playing Fotografer
So what is the best body for building a setup like that?
Speed Graphic
Crown Graphic
Speed Graphic Pacemaker
Speed Graphic Anniversary
.....?
I like the idea of a top rangefinder vs. a side rangefinder.
Speed Graphic
Crown Graphic
Speed Graphic Pacemaker
Speed Graphic Anniversary
.....?
I like the idea of a top rangefinder vs. a side rangefinder.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Pacemaker Crown Graphic with a 127mm or 135mm lens.
They are numerous & relatively inexpensive. There are newer lenses that perform better than the originals, but the 135mm in Graflex shutter can still make an amazing image on 4x5.
The Speed Graphic is about 1lb heavier. The focal plane shutter is a benefit in case you want to use barrel lenses that have no shutters. If you never plan on using those lenses then the Crown is definitely the one to get. The rubberized material on an old shutter curtain can and does flake off during exposure using a regular lens in-shutter. It also is a great place for dust to collect and deposit on your negatives.
If you want to go for a real setup that is authentic looking and working, you'll want to find a Heiland Graflite or Graphic Flash synchronizer. They use flashbulbs which can be expensive per-exposure, but sometimes there is no substitute for that amount of light.
It's really an amazing and very capable system.
Start lifting weights! My Speed Graphic + Graphic flash + Grafmatic back weighs about 10lbs!
Phil Forrest
They are numerous & relatively inexpensive. There are newer lenses that perform better than the originals, but the 135mm in Graflex shutter can still make an amazing image on 4x5.
The Speed Graphic is about 1lb heavier. The focal plane shutter is a benefit in case you want to use barrel lenses that have no shutters. If you never plan on using those lenses then the Crown is definitely the one to get. The rubberized material on an old shutter curtain can and does flake off during exposure using a regular lens in-shutter. It also is a great place for dust to collect and deposit on your negatives.
If you want to go for a real setup that is authentic looking and working, you'll want to find a Heiland Graflite or Graphic Flash synchronizer. They use flashbulbs which can be expensive per-exposure, but sometimes there is no substitute for that amount of light.
It's really an amazing and very capable system.
Start lifting weights! My Speed Graphic + Graphic flash + Grafmatic back weighs about 10lbs!
Phil Forrest
sepiareverb
genius and moron
So what is the best body for building a setup like that?
I think you meant to say "What is the best body-building for a setup like that?"?
jan normandale
Film is the other way
go to the graflex site there's lots to read and discuss
www.graflex.org
here's a 4x5 Crown Graphic shot:
industrial neighbourhood
www.graflex.org
here's a 4x5 Crown Graphic shot:
industrial neighbourhood
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TareqPhoto
The Survivor
I am sold, i may get one of these soon i hope
AJShepherd
Well-known
I'd really like to try something like this, but I guess you have to have a darkroom for loading the sheet film and developing it?
FPjohn
Well-known
Changing Bag
Changing Bag
It is both a skill and talent to load sheet film in a changing bag or tent.
yours
FPJ
Changing Bag
I'd really like to try something like this, but I guess you have to have a darkroom for loading the sheet film and developing it?
It is both a skill and talent to load sheet film in a changing bag or tent.
yours
FPJ
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