BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
Coming from a 9x12cm folder I wanted an upgrade for 4x5" to use more film and have the possibility to use Polaroid film.
Looked for a long time to find a Graflex Speed Graphic here in Europe, but tit was nearly impossible to find a good one or one for a good price which is worth to rebuild it.
Stumbled over a dealer on Etsy who was selling one and was willing to ship to Europe.
So here she is - A Graflex "Pacemaker" 4x5" Speed Graphic
Some minor repairs needed:
- new ground glas
- calibrate the rangefinder
- reglue the leatherette on the door
- find what's wrong with the shutter switch - like welded in position "front" but the FP shutter fires.
Waiting for my Fuji FP145 back to start with some FP100C
Graflex "Pacemaker" Speed Graphic by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr
What a lovely face! by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr
Graflex "Pacemaker" Speed Graphic by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr
Graflex "Pacemaker" Speed Graphic by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr
Lenses for the Graflex by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr
Looked for a long time to find a Graflex Speed Graphic here in Europe, but tit was nearly impossible to find a good one or one for a good price which is worth to rebuild it.
Stumbled over a dealer on Etsy who was selling one and was willing to ship to Europe.
So here she is - A Graflex "Pacemaker" 4x5" Speed Graphic
Some minor repairs needed:
- new ground glas
- calibrate the rangefinder
- reglue the leatherette on the door
- find what's wrong with the shutter switch - like welded in position "front" but the FP shutter fires.
Waiting for my Fuji FP145 back to start with some FP100C





NeeZee
Well-known
Looks great! Never tried large format, but it bet it's fun. Happy shooting!
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
Great Press Camera!
I'm on the third one, without rear shutter.
Using photo paper as negative is also fun with this and no cutting is required.
I'm on the third one, without rear shutter.
Using photo paper as negative is also fun with this and no cutting is required.
robert blu
quiet photographer
wow, what a beauty!
robert
robert
CMur12
Veteran
Very cool! My approach to MF is more akin to that of a lazy LF shooter. One day, I need to try LF for myself. I commend you for making the leap.
- Murray
- Murray
lxmike
M2 fan.
boy oh boy what a beauty
Trius
Waiting on Maitani
Slow photography is great!
Huss
Veteran
Great pics of the camera! How did u take them?
JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
Nice camera! Try some Harman Direct Positive paper sometime. Rate it at ISO 3 in bright sun or ISO 1.6 in shade, then develop in liquid concentrate developer diluted 1+15 for about 3 minutes. A Jobo tank will do, with changing bag, in your kitchen. You get fiber paper silver prints (kind of like wet polaroids) straight out of the camera.
~Joe
~Joe
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
Great pics of the camera! How did u take them?
Believe it or not - there are shops which sell digital cameras and I got one
they are done with my trusted old Sony NEX 5 and a Canon nFD 3,5 50mm Macro
Nice camera! Try some Harman Direct Positive paper sometime. Rate it at ISO 3 in bright sun or ISO 1.6 in shade, then develop in liquid concentrate developer diluted 1+15 for about 3 minutes. A Jobo tank will do, with changing bag, in your kitchen. You get fiber paper silver prints (kind of like wet polaroids) straight out of the camera.
~Joe
Thanks for the input!
I´ve got here the Imago Direct Positive paper in 9x12 cm for my Voigländer Bergheil - did not use it until now.
The only paper developer I´ve got at the moment in the house is Ilford Multigrade - do you think it will work?
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
So my FP 145 come this moment and the missing ground glass was replaced yesterday - so maybe I do the 1st shot in a few minutes on Fuji FP100C silk which was waiting for this moment.
Jockos
Well-known
I made a lens for a camera like this, assembled it last week actually:
~180mm ~f2.9
~180mm ~f2.9
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!

2nd shot
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr
1st shot was a classical - black horse in front of a black wall at midnight in a dark moonless night
have to find a way to get rid of the structure from the silk film.
Love the positive - but the scan doesn't do it justice.
JoeV
Thin Air, Bright Sun
...
I´ve got here the Imago Direct Positive paper in 9x12 cm for my Voigländer Bergheil - did not use it until now.
The only paper developer I´ve got at the moment in the house is Ilford Multigrade - do you think it will work?
I'm sure it'll develop, the only issue I see is excessive contrast, which seems to be a problem with most of these kinds of papers I've used over the years.
Here's a link with picture from the Large Format Photography forum:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?116878-IMAGO-Positive-Paper
~Joe
Bill Clark
Veteran
Great! Kudos to you!
That's what makes rangefinder forum so interesting is to have someone as a member like you.
That's what makes rangefinder forum so interesting is to have someone as a member like you.
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
I made a lens for a camera like this, assembled it last week actually:
![]()
~180mm ~f2.9
Sorry but I couldn't see your pic.
I'm sure it'll develop, the only issue I see is excessive contrast, which seems to be a problem with most of these kinds of papers I've used over the years.
Here's a link with picture from the Large Format Photography forum:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?116878-IMAGO-Positive-Paper
~Joe
thanks for the link
Great! Kudos to you!
That's what makes rangefinder forum so interesting is to have someone as a member like you.
thanks - I´m just playing a bit and like to show what has happend.
So if something blows up in Austria - I'll tell you :angel:
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
So guys I tested the rangefinder and it seems to be correct.
Got out two very nice shots from our local church inside - try to get the negs and scan them - otherwise I will scan the positive and show them here - so stay tuned.
Got out two very nice shots from our local church inside - try to get the negs and scan them - otherwise I will scan the positive and show them here - so stay tuned.
Jockos
Well-known
Strange.. Try here:Sorry but I couldn't see your pic.
http://www.largeformatphotography.i...pound-lenses&p=1290049&viewfull=1#post1290049
BW400CN
Bessamatic forever!
Thanks - there I'm allowed to see the thumbnail.

RF Test
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr

RF Test
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr

1st colour
by Michael Relguag, auf Flickr
Innsbruck - Wiltener Basilika
RF Test focused on the Fence with 1/30 f4.7 handheld
Ok it's something to learn again.
Used the scanner settings I normally use for color film - but they don't work - with complete new settings I get color.
Cleaning the front and the backside is also something which can't be learned to perfection with one neg - I'm getting better, but I'm far away from where I wanna be!
Jockos
Well-known
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