Inherited a pre-anniversary speed graphic

S

shaaktiman

Guest
And spent this past weekend learning how to use it. Here is a sample of my first film photo from it. Loving the detail.

So, does anyone else have one of these? I have a bunch of questions and could use some advice. I know practically nothing.
 

Attachments

  • box.jpg
    box.jpg
    196.1 KB · Views: 0
  • box_spot.jpg
    box_spot.jpg
    266.1 KB · Views: 0
What questions do you have? I may be able to answer one, it might even be the correct answer:)

I do have a few graphic cameras also.

Wayne
 
I want one and it could've been in the cards next year had I not decided to go to the dark side and finally get a Leica for myself with my tax return. However, I got a good tip from someone at APUG about large format cameras: wait and spend a decent amount of money for a camera with decent movements...so that's what I'm doing.

But anyway, it's a great camera and I wouldn't pass one up if it was just sent my way. What lens does yours have and what shutter?
 
It has a zeiss tessar lens and a compur shutter. (are these any good? zeiss is rightly famous but this lens is OLD. I've had mixed results so far.)

OK, on the focal plane shutter, what does the designation "T" mean. "O" is fully open, and the numbers are to set the slit width, but what in the world is "T"?

Where can I send it to get a CLA and have the speeds and curtain firmed up? It's in good condition but I'd like to really restore it. Can I do it myself?

Can anyone recommend a book to learn about this camera? I need to learn how to change lenses, what lenses I CAN use. etc, etc.

APUG! That's where I have to go. I forgot about them.

thanks so much,

adam
 
Call Fred Lustig at 775-746-0111. He has the parts for Graflex and the know how to overhaul your speed graphic. No web site. He is in Nevada.

Wayne
 
Zeiss tessar lenses very much set the standard for their time. Kodak Ektars and Graflex Optar are tessar-type lenses and were usually found on these press cameras. Even modern compact, large format lenses use similar lens formulas. Though being an older, uncoated lens, I'd expect a less contrast than with a more modern lens.

If the lens shutter is sticky, Carol at Flutot's has done CLA's on a few of my older shutters and she's reasonably priced. (http://www.flutotscamerarepair.com/)

Tessar lenses can have pretty wide aperture capability, though best sharpness is usually found at about f16. For your particular example, do some tests over different apertures to see what's acceptable to you.
 
shaaktiman said:
It has a zeiss tessar lens and a compur shutter. (are these any good? zeiss is rightly famous but this lens is OLD. I've had mixed results so far.)

OK, on the focal plane shutter, what does the designation "T" mean. "O" is fully open, and the numbers are to set the slit width, but what in the world is "T"?

Where can I send it to get a CLA and have the speeds and curtain firmed up? It's in good condition but I'd like to really restore it. Can I do it myself?

Can anyone recommend a book to learn about this camera? I need to learn how to change lenses, what lenses I CAN use. etc, etc.
Click to expand...

Hi Adam,

Like Jason said, Zeiss tessars are pretty good lenses for medium or large format. The widest aperture (usually f/'4.5) is intended only for focusing purposes. Working apertures are in the f/11-f/22 range. Of course, this is theory, and you can get interesting results full-open, especially for portraiture or table top still-life shots.

If you want some more info on the Speed Graphic cameras, besides graflex.org, you can also visit Jo Lommen's site.

You will find instruction manuals available for free download on Rich's South Bristol View website.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Abbazz
 
I also inherited a Pre-Anniversary 4x5 Speed Graphic from my late father-in-law. I have not attempted to use it. Years ago, I had a much earlier 4x5 with the Zeiss Tessar and, though old, it produced good results.

Jim N.
 
I see no reason why a Speed or Crown Graphic should be on anyone's wish list for too long, as they sell pretty cheap (in comparison to many of the interchangeable lens 35mm rangefinders). Heck, I have an entire Pacemake Speed Graphic outfit (camera body, 90mm Linhof Angulon, 152mm Ektar, 270mm Linhof Tele-Arton, carrying case, 2 120 film backs, tripod, 5 film holders) that I bought for less than $400. I saw a really nice Pre-Anniversary 4X5 Speed Graphic sell on Ebay recently for about $50 (it even had a Zeiss Tessar on it, though the in-lens shutter was sticky).

As far as lens choices are concerned, you can stick just about ANYTHING on a Speed Graphic, as long as it'll fit on a lensboard. However, the lens might not cover the entire 4X5 frame, depending on what type of lens you use (and the format for which it was originally intended). The nice thing about these large format cameras is that they don't force you to buy a certain brand of lenses in a specific camera mount (for instance, buying Nikkor glass for your F-mount Nikon). You can stick a 170mm Kodak Anastigmat off of an old Kodak 3A folder onto the front of the Graphic if you want (and this even covers the entire frame!). To change lenses, you'll need some lensboards to mount the lenses on To change these lensboards, move the two tabs on the top and bottom of the lens standard out of the way, and you pull the board out. You'll only be able to calibrate the rangefinder for one lens, so you'll have to focus other lenses of different focal lengths on the ground glass. If you need some more info, feel free to ask.

Oh, and Stephanie, you can pick up a Graphic View II pretty cheap if you are looking for lots of camera movements. It's not the lightest thing in the world, but it works!
 
The T setting should be kinda like bulb, except that you don't have to hold the shutter release. Hit the release, the shutter opens and stays open, hit it again and it closes.
 
burninfilm said:
Oh, and Stephanie, you can pick up a Graphic View II pretty cheap if you are looking for lots of camera movements. It's not the lightest thing in the world, but it works!
Click to expand...

Yeah...and the tripod I'd have to have for the thing would be even heavier. :D

I'm thinking more about how many movements I'd really need at first...and the answer keeps on coming back to me as NOT MANY. I'd be doing mostly landscapes and portraits with the thing at first...for landscapes movements would be nice, but for portraits they really aren't needed.
 
LOL. Yeah, you'd need a heavy duty tripod for sure. I use a heavy old metal "Compac Tripod" manufactured by the "Davis & Sanford Co.". It works, but just barely.

Stephanie, it sounds like the "press" type cameras would suit you well. They have a few movements, such as front rise/fall, left/right shift, and some front tilt. Many even have a dropping bed, which comes in handy when using wide angles. Plus, they can be hand-held, so you aren't always stuck to a tripod for your portrait shots.
 
I'll agree with that. Since I don't see you using seriously ancient barrel mount lenses, I'd say to get yourself a newer Crown Graphic with top mounted RF and a coupled Ektar and I think you'd be pretty happy. I'd say the 127/4.7 would suit you best - don't even think about movements but it's really well corrected on axis and is a quite fast lens for the format. Imagine it's the J-12 equivalent :)

Add a handfull of Grafmatics for your film holders (6 shots each) and you'd be set for what you're looking to do there. Add a 7"reflector & some GE #22's if you really want to have fun ;)

William
 
wlewisiii said:
Since I don't see you using seriously ancient barrel mount lenses, I'd say to get yourself a newer Crown Graphic
Click to expand...

William,

Speed Graphics are a lot of fun precisely because they have this nice focal plane curtain shutter, which makes them able to accept any kind of lens or optical contraption you can think of. The shutter is quite basic, making it very rugged and easy to repair. It doesn't add much weight or bulk to the camera and it's definetly worth it.

As for price, Crown Graphics tend to command higher prices, because they are a little more compact and a lot of people think they are more reliable.

Stephanie, don't forget that 4x5 film is LF, that means that it is an order of magnitude more difficult and more expensive to use than 120 rollfim. You will not be able to use the same developping tank, nor the same scanner or enlarger. And if you don't want to process the film yourself, you will quickly learn to know what "professional lab" means in terms of cost.

My suggestion: buy a cheap Speed Graphic with a rollfilm back. If you get a Calumet C2N back, you can even buy any old Speed Graphic model without a Graflock back, as the C2N can be slipped under the ground glass. Such a camera can be bought for about $200, without lens, and the rollfilm back for about $100. With rollfilm backs, you will be limited to 6x7 or 6x9 format (slip-in type backs are more common in 6x7 size), but you will be able to mount any lens: for starters, buy a 4in. magnifying loupe and mount it in a cardboard home-made barrel. Later, you could add an old Rapid Rectilinear lens or a huge f/2.5 7in. Kodak Aero Ektar lens, like David Burnett. Lots of fun guaranteed. And those old shutterless barrel lenses are so incredibly cheap... You can even get them for free: buy a cheap old LF view camera with a nice barrel lens on ebay, keep the lens, clean the camera and resell it for the same price! :rolleyes: In a few months time, you will have to move to a larger house in order to accommodate your lens collection :eek:

Hey, don't tell anybody about that. It could drive the price of barrel lenses up :p

Cheers,

Abbazz
 
Abbazz said:
William,

Speed Graphics are a lot of fun precisely because they have this nice focal plane curtain shutter,
Click to expand...

Abbazz,

I own an anniversary and a barrel mount B&L Tessar. I'm always on the lookout for barrel mount lenses. That Tessar is pre-WW I. Hell, by what I can find it's pre-Titanic :) That 6.3 lens remains my favorite LF lens. ;) I'd have to say I'm pretty well aware what the FP shutter can give a photographer....

That said, I've talked with ms. Brim for awhile now. She can tell me bugger all and I'll walk away content. You? Let me simply suggest that you've a few months to go before I'll pay similar attention. Given what I believe I know of her preferences, she will not use a FP shutter. To not cart that thing around from day one is a win for her.

So bleed like me and we'll all deal with the mess all the digi-kiddies leave behind.

William
 
Er...William...I actually MAY use a focal plane shutter because barrel lenses can sometimes be found cheaper than lenses with shutters. ;) If I come into a Speed Graphic at some point (and I'm sure I will), I'll most likely take it over a Crown. I keep forgetting about the no FP shutter thing.

But I won't tell you to bugger all...I like you too much. :D
 
Er...William...I actually MAY use a focal plane shutter because barrel lenses can sometimes be found cheaper than lenses with shutters. ;) If I come into a Speed Graphic at some point (and I'm sure I will), I'll most likely take it over a Crown. I keep forgetting about the no FP shutter thing.

But I won't tell you to bugger all...I like you too much. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom