Got me a Crown Graphic

[cmedin]

I told myself I didn't want to get back into LF, but the bug struck... found a 4x5 Crown Graphic with rangefinder, viewfinder, Wollensack 135mm lens for $150. Not sure why I was the only bidder at that price; seller had 100% feedback and best I can figure the poor description (not even indicating that it was a 4x5) and fuzzy picture turned people off. We'll see what it looks like when it gets here.

Used to have a Super Graphic, which I adored. I know this one does not have the same movements, but it'll be a good 'starter' camera for me to see if I want to get back into it. If not, I can probably sell it for what I paid and move on. Luckily I have a tank capable of 4x5, as well as a D2 enlarger with a 135mm Rodenstock enlarger lens so I'm all set for doing this.

Now.. for the rangefinder, shutter and anything else mechanical, any suggestions on good resources where I can learn a bit more about them and how to adjust/clean/service them?

 

[ChrisN]

Congratulations! We're going to have to have a 4x5 rangefinder challenge one of these days, with the number of these that are coming back into play.

The best source seems to be Graflex.org (http://graflex.org/) - a messy website with an attached forum, but plenty of info there if you dig. I found manuals (including how to adjust the rangefinder) at http://www.southbristolviews.com/ . Cheers!

 

[jolefler]

Great find, but "Ouch"!

Great find, but "Ouch"!

Big film = big money/lotsa time. Results well worth it, though. 8X10's you'd swear are contact prints! Nice.

Wish my back was up to hauling around all that stuff for an afternoon....nah!

Chris, Just throw your Barnack in a pocket (it does have a collapsable Elmar, doesn't it?). 🙂

 

[cmedin]

Actually, collapsible Summar. 🙂 Am looking for an Elmar though, so if you see any nice deals...

I used to shoot a Super Graphic back in the late 90s. Didn't do a LOT of it, but what I did was really enjoyable and the negs were just flat out outstanding. I figure that for occasional use, it'll be a fun camera and it can't weigh much more than my RB67!

edit: just recognized your name, did I outbid you on a Summitar recently? The bidder ID looked familiar... you were better off though, turned out to have terrible decementing on the rear elements and is practically worthless. 🙁

 

[jolefler]

Could very well be....

Could very well be....

I've been kind of interested in another 50mm lately. If you outbid me on a f1.5 it had to be early in the auction....man, those are pricey lately! I'm probably going to settle for a Summar, but those have been steep, too. 😕

 

[cmedin]

I wouldn't necessarily call it 'settling'--a good Summar is a really great lens. 🙂 Mine set me back $125 with a hood and filters, so there are still cheap ones to be had...

 

[FrankS]

The 4x5 Speed Graphic sitting on a shelf is going to have to wait for me a while longer, until my life gives me more time and energy. But I know it's there, and I'm waiting too.

 

[literiter]

I used Speed and Crown Graphics in the early '60s when I worked as a photographer for a small town newspaper. Later it was Mamiya C33s but I never got to use 35mm stuff professionaly till much later.

At the time Graphics were the tool of choice for some newspapers, but they sure were awkward. Not the tool for casual street shooting.( but think of Weegee.) I cannot think of too many cameras that are that versatile with such a large negative.

Now I think I may get another.

 

[jolefler]

Not to mention they're...

Not to mention they're...

easy to work on, too! That is assuming you have tools capable of heavy truck repair (ie. 3/4" drive socket set, 10lb. sledge, etc.) 😀 .

Chris, I did find most of the repair/adjustment lit @ Graflex.org sufficient to do everything needed to really restore a basket-case Speed. I may still have a spare rf mirror if yours is dim.

 

[cmedin]

Well, the beast arrived in the mail today. I think I got lucky; the ebay auction just had one very blurry picture and not a lot description wise, so it was a bit of a gamble. However, the camera looks pretty great. There's some paint wear, the leather covering is pretty dry, and viewfinder and rangefinder are pretty dusty/dirty. BUT, the lens is beautiful and crystal clear, the shutter seems fine at all speeds (exception mentioned below), and everything is smooth. The rangefinder is pretty contrasty too, a pleasant surprise as I was half expecting it to be badly faded.

Now for the one 'broken' thing, though it might not be for all I know... when in T mode, the shutter opens by pushing the button as expected, but does not close the same way. It does close if you turn the shutter speed dial slightly. What I don't know if is this is how it's supposed to work (my Leica III 'T' mode works the same way) or whether something's out of whack. Any ideas?

jo: thanks for your input and offer. 🙂 I'll be looking at the graflex.org manuals all night and learn all I can about this thing.

 

[cmedin]

Well, replying to myself here. Found the Graphex shutter repair manual online and been perusing it. Took the thing apart this afternoon. Looks like the culprit was a sticky Bulb lever, which some Ronsonol cleared up. It was quite educational to poke around inside the shutter and seeing how things really work. 🙂 Now everything seems to be working great and the times sound quite accurate to my ear....

 

[jolefler]

Magic juice,

Magic juice,

that lighter fluid stuff! Vodka's almost as good!

Good job! How soon do we see some scans of contact prints?