I came to this forum for something totally different... then i found this thread, browsed three pages of posts, and now i feel compelled to post my opinion.
I recognize that Graflex rangefinder cameras are very nice, i know their value and i recognize that they have been undervalued (and snobbed by some people) for quite some time.
Now there is a resurgence, and many dedicated photographers, most of them not even bon when those cameraswere in their heydays, are looking with interest at them, either as large format RF cameras (with the added benefit of the availability at fair prices of graflock 120 magazines for 6x7 and 6x9), and as a cheap starting to step into large format photography.
Expecially the Speed Graphics, with their focal plane shutter, can be very appealing for the serious photographer on a tight budget. The big advantage of the Speed is that it allows to use cheap barrel lenses, and test those vintage glasses, with that nice retro look.
Everything 's perfect? Not quite. As you get involved in old barrel lenses, you'll soon discover that the most interesting ones (soft focus, process, and long Petzval lenses) would need a longer bellows extension. Some can't be focused on close subjects, and some others won't focus even at infinity!
The Graflex cameras were not meant for extreme lenses, too short focals need a recessed board, and the longer (but not so much..) focals were covered by lenses with telephoto design, which needed a much shorter back-focus than their focal lenght. For a 4x5" the wide angle was a 90mm, the normal a 135mm, and the longest one, as far as i remember, was a 270mm telephoto. You can't go much further. Even the weight of the lens is a concern, the front standard wasn't made for heavy lenses.
That is to say... the Graflex can be a wonderful camera. It was made with a purpose in mind: photojournalism. At that time the emulsions were not as good as today's, so that the bigger... the better!.
Even today it could be a very useful camera, but i'd prefer to use them with 120 backs or with smaller Fuji or Polaroid instant films for 405 back ( Fuji's are still there, and some Polaroid packs can still be found on Ebay every now and then). But when you use 4x5" sheet films, the shortcomings of the camera become more apparent.
It's not just for the limited movements (if you do portrait and lanscape photography it won't matter that much), the limits with the choice of lenses COULD be a problem.
For those willing to be able to shoot handheld, and still taste the full potentiality of large format, a Linhof Technika is the perfect toy 🙂
Maybe i am partial, i own one, but i am not a Linhof fanboy!
BTW, i think i am going to sell my Technika III... just to make it clear that is not the camera i love the most.
Nevertheless, it has triple extension, tilt/swing back, ample movements on the front standard, and since at least the mid fifties it comes with a standard graflock back.
The cost for a nice Technika is not so high anymore. I expect to get no more than 350 euros when i decide to put my camera on Ebay. It's a Technika III, fifth and last model before the IV, with graflock back, dedicated shutter cable, leather handle, and original Linhof lensboard. The back and base are almost identical to the Technika IV, the only design flaw was the front standard, that's not as robust as the IV's (but probably a little better than the Graflex's): this small flaw limits the use of very heavy lenses... but you can't mount most of them anyway, cause the lensboard is too small (albeit a little bigger than Graflex boards).
For handheld rangefinder photography, there is the added benefit of easily available cams. Original Linhof-selected lenses, sold with the Technika, had a matching cam with the same serial, but you can trust a non-matching cam if you don't use very long focals. The rangefinder is very good, and most of the times it's perfectly working, with no need for adjustments.
Of course a Technika IV or V, or a Master Technika, are still quite expensive, but not as much as they used to be.
The older Technikas are best avoided, unless they were refitted with a graflock back, and unless you're so lucky to find one in very, very good conditions (not very likely, most of them were professional workhorses).
The best option, price vs. performance, would be the Technika III. They are quite cheap, for what they offer. Just remember to choose the latest version, that is the evolving step towards the IV. It can be easily recognized by the graflock back and by the shape of the base/front cover: it's tapered instead of flat.
I have just found a nice set of cams for the Technika III 13x18, on sale on Ebay. Those cams would be a perfect mach for my 5x7" lenses! Ah, the Technika 13x18, that's a HUGE rangefinder! 🙂 But i am always too broke to afford one, when i have a chance. That is to remind me, once again, that photography could be a VERY expensive hobby!
have fun
CJ
