Negatives

[Travis L.]

or maybe it didn't and still doesn't matter all that much...

Exactly...

 

[charjohncarter]

I find it comforting that someone with his genius and experience still had trouble keeping exposure and focus perfect while pursuing candid shots!

Randy

I find it darn near impossible to readjust every shot with my IIIf (which I think HCB used). Maybe I need more practice or a box camera film like Verichrome.

 

[Harry Lime]

Or perhaps, given this was done in a combat situation, Rosenthal was using a Grafmatic sheet film holder or Graphic Film Pack Adapter rather than a Graflock back.

It is the two sheet holder that projects the image in a pseudo T shape, the septums in a Grafmatic don't hold and expose the film in the same way.

There is at least one picture of Rosenthal with his 4x5 on the summit. I need to see if I can dig it up and figure out what holder he's using.

Coincidentally I did the special effects for the shot in 'Flags of Our Fathers' when he takes the picture of them raising the flag. I haven't seen the movie in a while, but I remember getting all bent out of shape, because the cocking arm on the shutter doesn't trip and I think the actor pulls out the film holder before he puts the dark slide in again or something along those lines. It may also be the wrong type of Graphic and in hindsight he's not wearing the uniform he does in the original historic pictures.

Actors...

 

[charjohncarter]

US Navy photographers, as late as Korea used Graflex cameras. I worked for a man that covered Korea, and that was one that he used (the other, I think was a 2.25). When I was in the Army during the Viet Nam days, Nikon F(s) were the service camera. I guess it was far enough from WWII to use a Japonese camera, the Navy used Bessler Topcon(s).

 

[Harry Lime]

Joe Rosenthal was not a military photographer. He was a civilian with the Associated Press attached (embedded) to the 1st Marine Division at Iwo Jima. As such he was very likely carrying a Combat Graphic, not a (reflex) Graflex.

In the pictures of him on Iwo it's not a Combat Graphic, but a civilian version.


http://picturesoup.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/rosenthal_j.jpg

 

[Harry Lime]

US Navy photographers, as late as Korea used Graflex cameras. I worked for a man that covered Korea, and that was one that he used (the other, I think was a 2.25). When I was in the Army during the Viet Nam days, Nikon F(s) were the service camera. I guess it was far enough from WWII to use a Japonese camera, the Navy used Bessler Topcon(s).

Nikon got their big break with the press and military from David Douglas Duncan during the Korean War.

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/history/index.htm

 

[mbisc]

Or perhaps, given this was done in a combat situation, Rosenthal was using a Grafmatic sheet film holder or Graphic Film Pack Adapter rather than a Graflock back.

It is the two sheet holder that projects the image in a pseudo T shape, the septums in a Grafmatic don't hold and expose the film in the same way.

Very good point -- I didn't consider that -- thanks!

 

[BarnabyN]

Any more to share?