Vince Lupo
Whatever
I posted this camera in the 'Show us Your SLR...What???' thread, but thought I'd start a standalone thread for my latest journey in photographic oddity....
For some unexplained reason, I gravitate to weird cameras, and this is the latest preoccupation. I just bought this camera -- it's a 1934 National Graflex (120 format film, 2.25" x 2.5" frame size). It came from an eBay seller out of Singapore. It arrived last week and I noticed that it had the original owner's name imprinted on the inside the box and the camera's manual. Being the curious fellow that I am, I googled his name. Darned if something didn't show up!
There was an entry in the Ramsey County (Minnesota) Historical Society's database -- a picture taken by Martin H. Hense, Jr. back in September 1938 at the Minnesota State Fair (photo below with two nurses and two babies). I contacted the historical society and they not only sent me a copy of the image, but also some further info regarding Martin H. Hense, Jr. As of 1938, he still lived at the address that's on the camera box, and he was a driver/chauffeur for his father's cab company. Looks like he was in his early 20's. Other thing I found is that he apparently went to Forestry School for one year at the University of Minnesota in 1937. And actually, I did a bit more super-sleuthing and found out that he's buried at Ft. Snelling just outside Minneapolis (where my loving wife's grandfather and grandmother are also buried): Hense, Martin Hubert, b. 12/23/1915, d. 02/01/2000, Section 6-A, Site 492, US NAVY, AOM2 (which I'm assuming stands for Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Petty Officer?), WORLD WAR II.
My thinking is that since he was in his early 20's and he was a driver for his father's cab company, he likely didn't have a bevy of cameras at his disposal. Plus, he surely wasn't updating/replacing his cameras every 4 years (as some of us do.....hmmm I wonder who!). And here's the kicker for me -- the proportion of that photo is pretty close to the proportion of the Graflex's negative size (2.25" x 2.5"). So I think this camera took that photo below -- at least that's what I'm telling myself.
Graflex1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Martin Hense Graflex Photo by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
So far I've put two rolls of Arista 100 EDU black and white film through it to see how it would do, and here are a few results:
Riley at Mount Calvert by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot4 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot5 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
The first four shots were taken with the 75/3.5 B&L Tessar lens, the last two with the 140mm/6.5 B&L Telephoto. Negs scanned with my Nikon Z7 on a copy stand with an LED light box.
I noticed a few things after having completed these two rolls:
First, this camera is a challenge to hand-hold at shutter speeds under 1/100th of a second. The large focal plane shutter along with the 'fwap' of the mirror can cause a fair bit of camera shake, so it seems that it works better as a tripod camera.
Second, the 75mm lens has haze and should be looked at by the Camera Wiz himself, Frank Marshman. Further, I think that the second shutter curtain has pinholes -- I'm getting all these little white dots all over the images, and that's the only thing I can think that's the cause. I haven't had a chance to put a flashlight into the camera to see, as I have a roll of colour film in the camera at the moment. But that's my suspicion, so Frank will likely be seeing this camera soon (I swear the man has the patience of Job, as least as far as my cameras go).
The telephoto lens is really great -- those two shots above were taken wide open, and I was pleasantly surprised at how sharp they turned out. Only thing I don't like about the lens is that the close-focusing distance is about 12 feet! I found a Series VI closeup lens on eBay that I'm hoping is going to fit (as I'm assuming that the adapter ring is a Series VI), so that might help make the lens a bit more versatile. Actually the 75mm lens has a close-focus distance of about 6 feet, so it is a bit of a challenge as well.
Really though, this is a super-sweet camera and now I'm finding myself looking for other National Graflexes and related accessories (I've already found filters, filter wallet, leather lens hood for the 75mm lens and the black leather combination case). Don't know why I travel down some of the photographic roads I travel down (everything from glass plate stereo to the Hasselblad 907x!), but I suppose I may as well enjoy the ride and see where it all goes.
For some unexplained reason, I gravitate to weird cameras, and this is the latest preoccupation. I just bought this camera -- it's a 1934 National Graflex (120 format film, 2.25" x 2.5" frame size). It came from an eBay seller out of Singapore. It arrived last week and I noticed that it had the original owner's name imprinted on the inside the box and the camera's manual. Being the curious fellow that I am, I googled his name. Darned if something didn't show up!
There was an entry in the Ramsey County (Minnesota) Historical Society's database -- a picture taken by Martin H. Hense, Jr. back in September 1938 at the Minnesota State Fair (photo below with two nurses and two babies). I contacted the historical society and they not only sent me a copy of the image, but also some further info regarding Martin H. Hense, Jr. As of 1938, he still lived at the address that's on the camera box, and he was a driver/chauffeur for his father's cab company. Looks like he was in his early 20's. Other thing I found is that he apparently went to Forestry School for one year at the University of Minnesota in 1937. And actually, I did a bit more super-sleuthing and found out that he's buried at Ft. Snelling just outside Minneapolis (where my loving wife's grandfather and grandmother are also buried): Hense, Martin Hubert, b. 12/23/1915, d. 02/01/2000, Section 6-A, Site 492, US NAVY, AOM2 (which I'm assuming stands for Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Petty Officer?), WORLD WAR II.
My thinking is that since he was in his early 20's and he was a driver for his father's cab company, he likely didn't have a bevy of cameras at his disposal. Plus, he surely wasn't updating/replacing his cameras every 4 years (as some of us do.....hmmm I wonder who!). And here's the kicker for me -- the proportion of that photo is pretty close to the proportion of the Graflex's negative size (2.25" x 2.5"). So I think this camera took that photo below -- at least that's what I'm telling myself.
Graflex1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Martin Hense Graflex Photo by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
So far I've put two rolls of Arista 100 EDU black and white film through it to see how it would do, and here are a few results:
Riley at Mount Calvert by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot4 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Shot5 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
The first four shots were taken with the 75/3.5 B&L Tessar lens, the last two with the 140mm/6.5 B&L Telephoto. Negs scanned with my Nikon Z7 on a copy stand with an LED light box.
I noticed a few things after having completed these two rolls:
First, this camera is a challenge to hand-hold at shutter speeds under 1/100th of a second. The large focal plane shutter along with the 'fwap' of the mirror can cause a fair bit of camera shake, so it seems that it works better as a tripod camera.
Second, the 75mm lens has haze and should be looked at by the Camera Wiz himself, Frank Marshman. Further, I think that the second shutter curtain has pinholes -- I'm getting all these little white dots all over the images, and that's the only thing I can think that's the cause. I haven't had a chance to put a flashlight into the camera to see, as I have a roll of colour film in the camera at the moment. But that's my suspicion, so Frank will likely be seeing this camera soon (I swear the man has the patience of Job, as least as far as my cameras go).
The telephoto lens is really great -- those two shots above were taken wide open, and I was pleasantly surprised at how sharp they turned out. Only thing I don't like about the lens is that the close-focusing distance is about 12 feet! I found a Series VI closeup lens on eBay that I'm hoping is going to fit (as I'm assuming that the adapter ring is a Series VI), so that might help make the lens a bit more versatile. Actually the 75mm lens has a close-focus distance of about 6 feet, so it is a bit of a challenge as well.
Really though, this is a super-sweet camera and now I'm finding myself looking for other National Graflexes and related accessories (I've already found filters, filter wallet, leather lens hood for the 75mm lens and the black leather combination case). Don't know why I travel down some of the photographic roads I travel down (everything from glass plate stereo to the Hasselblad 907x!), but I suppose I may as well enjoy the ride and see where it all goes.
raydm6
Yay! Cameras! 🙈🙉🙊┌( ಠ_ಠ)┘ [◉"]
So cool Vince. Thanks for taking the time to share this.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I don't have the tele for mine. It's an interesting camera to say the least.
The designers overpromised on the size of the camera.
Boss said they couldn't change the dimensions.
"We'll just sell it as a camera for women because they have small hands"
I've yet to use my Auto Graflex Series B in 2x3, but it's significantly bigger than the National Graflex.
Thanks for sharing, Vince. I think I'll go and dust mine off
The designers overpromised on the size of the camera.
Boss said they couldn't change the dimensions.
"We'll just sell it as a camera for women because they have small hands"
I've yet to use my Auto Graflex Series B in 2x3, but it's significantly bigger than the National Graflex.
Thanks for sharing, Vince. I think I'll go and dust mine off
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I don't have the tele for mine. It's an interesting camera to say the least.
The designers overpromised on the size of the camera.
Boss said they couldn't change the dimensions.
"We'll just sell it as a camera for women because they have small hands"
I've yet to use my Auto Graflex Series B in 2x3, but it's significantly bigger than the National Graflex.
Thanks for sharing, Vince. I think I'll go and dust mine off
It seems that telephoto lens is a tricky one to find, as well as that leather lens hood for the 75mm lens. I think I'm really lucky to have found both.
This is a really complex camera to use, I have to say, and you have to do things in a very specific order to take the picture, advance the film and reset the shutter (even closing the camera up requires specific steps). First you have to make sure that the mirror is down, then you wind the shutter speed dial on the right (shutter speeds are controlled by slit widths, so the shutter speed is a constant 1/30th of a second). Then you push the button so that it takes the picture, then before you wind the film to the next frame you have to reset the mirror (so that the film does not get exposed by the slit between the shutter curtains), then you release the film lock, then you wind the film to the next frame, then you reset the shutter and then you can take another picture. Whew!
BTW do you think that those little white dots I mentioned is a possible sign of pinholes in a shutter curtain?
Ambro51
Collector/Photographer
This is All just sooo good! Amazing the camera innerds have held together through your test rolls! See what it will do with Ektachrome after you clear the lens haze. Quite a compliment overall to the collectors over the decades who preserve these items. I often fear (and have been) being the klutz who breaks,drops, “repairs beyond useability” these relics. Be Careful and Enjoy! (Next step on the Graphic weirdness ramp is the Graphic Number 0. )
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Oh I'm looking at the Super D next! A nice little compact camera
I just fear what's going to happen when Frank decides to hang up his camera repair tools for good -- hopefully many years down the road!
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I think it could be pinholes, yes.
They would be in the closing curtain (those visible when the shutter isn't cocked).
Because they're the only ones exposed to light (for a significant amount of time) when the mirror is up.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I just checked both shutter curtains and they seem totally fine. No light leaks. Plus, I checked the negative frames and the dots don’t seem consistent, so I think something else is going on. Maybe my film developing chemicals? Dust in the camera? But if it was dust, then there’d be black dots on the positive, not white. Hmmm....
Timmyjoe
Veteran
That's fascinating Vince, and very cool. Have fun with the camera, and share more images.
Best,
-Tim
Best,
-Tim
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I developed a roll of C41 (Ektar 100) this morning, and I think I solved the issue with the white dots. Either it's that Arista EDU film or my black and white chemicals need to be dumped, as I don't detect any white dots on the Ektar film.
Admittedly I'm not the best colour neg converter (despite trying in both Negative Lab Pro and ACR, and having both undergrad and grad school colour darkroom experience, hasn't seemed to help!), but I'll get the hang of it soon enough. They all seem to get a cyan cast when I convert, and I have to contort myself into all kinds of unnatural positions to exorcise that cyan cast from the images. Ah well, that's perhaps for another discussion entirely!
In any case, I'm pretty pleased with the results. The strip of negs turned out fine, with just a tiny bit of overlap on the last two frames. All the others had nice spacing, and no light leaks or anything weird.
Just some quick backyard shots, with another shot of some hopeless guy on his deathbed...
Backyard Graflex5 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Backyard Graflex4 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Backyard Graflex3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Backyard Graflex1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Sleeping Vinny by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
The sharper pictures were taken with the 140mm telephoto lens, whereas the less-sharp images are from the 75mm. Clearly the 75mm needs some help, as there is haze and low contrast as a result. Have to say I'm impressed with that 140mm.
I'm going to still send the camera and lenses to Frank and have him do the full spit'n'polish. I think they deserve it.
Admittedly I'm not the best colour neg converter (despite trying in both Negative Lab Pro and ACR, and having both undergrad and grad school colour darkroom experience, hasn't seemed to help!), but I'll get the hang of it soon enough. They all seem to get a cyan cast when I convert, and I have to contort myself into all kinds of unnatural positions to exorcise that cyan cast from the images. Ah well, that's perhaps for another discussion entirely!
In any case, I'm pretty pleased with the results. The strip of negs turned out fine, with just a tiny bit of overlap on the last two frames. All the others had nice spacing, and no light leaks or anything weird.
Just some quick backyard shots, with another shot of some hopeless guy on his deathbed...
Backyard Graflex5 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Backyard Graflex4 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Backyard Graflex3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Backyard Graflex1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Sleeping Vinny by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
The sharper pictures were taken with the 140mm telephoto lens, whereas the less-sharp images are from the 75mm. Clearly the 75mm needs some help, as there is haze and low contrast as a result. Have to say I'm impressed with that 140mm.
I'm going to still send the camera and lenses to Frank and have him do the full spit'n'polish. I think they deserve it.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Good to hear it's not pinholes.
Were the dots outside the film frames on the negatives as well? Could've been emulsion damage or flakes in the chemicals.
Anyway. the Ektar shots look fine.
Were the dots outside the film frames on the negatives as well? Could've been emulsion damage or flakes in the chemicals.
Anyway. the Ektar shots look fine.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Good question Rick - I just checked and yes, the dots are also outside of the frames. At least that seems to point to either the chemicals (which I suspect is the culprit) or the film itself. However this is the first time I've used this Arista film, so I didn't know what to expect (have to say I'm not a fan of it). Only reason I bought this film was because B&H was out of FP4 Plus at the time.
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
As far as I'm awara Arista EDU 100 is Fomapan 100. I know they had some Quality Control issues in the past, but for the last 5 years I've used it and I have very little complaints. And it's cheap
Hmm, the release button on my National Graflex II is a little hesitant. I think something is bent under the panel and prevents the mirror release getting turned far enough. Will take it apart this evening.
Hmm, the release button on my National Graflex II is a little hesitant. I think something is bent under the panel and prevents the mirror release getting turned far enough. Will take it apart this evening.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
As far as I'm awara Arista EDU 100 is Fomapan 100. I know they had some Quality Control issues in the past, but for the last 5 years I've used it and I have very little complaints. And it's cheap
Hmm, the release button on my National Graflex II is a little hesitant. I think something is bent under the panel and prevents the mirror release getting turned far enough. Will take it apart this evening.
That's funny because my shutter release button is a bit too sensitive! I've inadvertently hit it more than a couple of times and taken a beautiful blurry photo of the ground
BTW I'll be joining you in the Graflex RB Series B club -- just bought a real sweetheart last night and also managed to find the Graflex 23 'slotted' roll film back for it. I wasn't aware of how scarce they are!
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
The link between the arm running from the top to the bottom and the mirror release thingy at the bottom is worn on mine. There's up to half a millimeter play between the two parts.
I hear you. Slotted sheet film holders are already quite expensive. But the Graflex 22 and 23 for a 2x3 are like hen's teeth. I got my 23 from someone in Vietnam, of all places.
I hear you. Slotted sheet film holders are already quite expensive. But the Graflex 22 and 23 for a 2x3 are like hen's teeth. I got my 23 from someone in Vietnam, of all places.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Hah. I still need one for on my 4x5 Series D and Kodak Auto Graflex, those sizes at least are somewhat less rare.
For now I've replaced the copper wire in the release linkage of the National Graflex with a longer bit from a paper clip and folded it over the top to take up the slack from the wear. But the results are the same. Pushing the release button (or using the cable release) just doesn't make the arm travel far enough to consistently release the mirror/shutter. :\
I will have to dig deeper inside the camera, but I fear that'll release the curtain spring tension.
For now I've replaced the copper wire in the release linkage of the National Graflex with a longer bit from a paper clip and folded it over the top to take up the slack from the wear. But the results are the same. Pushing the release button (or using the cable release) just doesn't make the arm travel far enough to consistently release the mirror/shutter. :\
I will have to dig deeper inside the camera, but I fear that'll release the curtain spring tension.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I guess you've seen Jo Lommen's page on the National Graflex? He does a nice step-by-step on how to adjust the curtain tension. Unfortunately he doesn't advise on how to adjust slit width, which is the issue with another National Graflex I have. Ah well, one more thing for Frank to look at!
Vince Lupo
Whatever
I just picked up yet another National Graflex -- this one has some really nice accessories with it (such as the hard-leather combination case, filters, filter wallet, leather lens hood with case, instruction manual, Kodak cable release). All three of my National Graflexes are heading off to Frank today for him to work his usual magic. I’ll probably end up selling one and keeping two.
One of the things I found inside this latest camera was an old roll of exposed film. It just said 'panchromatic' on the backing paper, and 'Germany' (where the film was made). So no film speed, no nothing. It was on an old metal spool, so I'm thinking at least 1950's vintage, maybe? Were they still using metal spools in the 1960's? In any case, just for the fun of it I developed the film -- I took a stab at D76 1:1 for 10 minutes. Something turned up!
Graflex Found Film1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Found Film2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Found Film3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Found Film4 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
I really love those last two shots -- something really spooky about them. Almost looks like the person is on a train looking out of the window. I'd be interested to know where this is!
One of the things I found inside this latest camera was an old roll of exposed film. It just said 'panchromatic' on the backing paper, and 'Germany' (where the film was made). So no film speed, no nothing. It was on an old metal spool, so I'm thinking at least 1950's vintage, maybe? Were they still using metal spools in the 1960's? In any case, just for the fun of it I developed the film -- I took a stab at D76 1:1 for 10 minutes. Something turned up!
Graflex Found Film1 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Found Film2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Found Film3 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
Graflex Found Film4 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr
I really love those last two shots -- something really spooky about them. Almost looks like the person is on a train looking out of the window. I'd be interested to know where this is!
Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
Cool find
It looks like some sort of transformer substation.
It looks like some sort of transformer substation.