I finally did it!

[BW400CN]

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

 

[NeeZee]

Looks great! Never tried large format, but it bet it's fun. Happy shooting!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

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.

 

[robert blu]

wow, what a beauty!
robert

 

[CMur12]

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

 

[lxmike]

boy oh boy what a beauty

 

[Trius]

Slow photography is great!

 

[Huss]

Great pics of the camera! How did u take them?

 

[JoeV]

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

 

[BW400CN]

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]

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]

I made a lens for a camera like this, assembled it last week actually:

~180mm ~f2.9

 

[BW400CN]

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 😀 - forgot to open the front shutter :angel:

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]

...
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]

Great! Kudos to you!

That's what makes rangefinder forum so interesting is to have someone as a member like you.

 

[BW400CN]

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]

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.

 

[Jockos]

Sorry but I couldn't see your pic.

Strange.. Try here:

http://www.largeformatphotography.i...pound-lenses&p=1290049&viewfull=1#post1290049

🙂

 

[BW400CN]

Strange.. Try here:

http://www.largeformatphotography.i...pound-lenses&p=1290049&viewfull=1#post1290049

🙂

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]