New Crown Graphic! Which pedal is the gas and which the brake?

[Morca007]

I've been wanting to get into the large format world for a while now, and settled on a Graphic (ended up with a Crown rather than a Speed).
For $200 I seem to have found myself in the possession of a Crown Graphic with Graflok back, Optar 135mm f/4.7 lens, (uncoupled?) RF, and a few old film holders.

Now, the question is, how do I use it?

I've gotten ahold of the manual, but it assumes a little more knowledge of LF than I've got.
For example, the shutter has me completely dumbfounded, I've no idea how to cock or release it. And don't even ask me about loading the film or getting the backs into place!

So, where should I start? I've been reading various articles on graflex.org and looking around the internet. Anyone got a 'beginner's guide to LF' handy?

Thanks

 

[Gumby]

Congratulations. My suggestion is to keep reading, and keep the camera at yuor side whilst doing so! Fiddle with the camera to see how it works. Then load up some film and experiment.

Here are some other manuals. The operation manuals might be most useful to you right now.

http://www.southbristolviews.com/pics/Graphic/graphicmanuals.html

 

[Gumby]

Here's another good source for more generic and beginner LF "how to" topics, like loading film, etc:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/

 

[Keith]

This is useful ... http://www.graflex.org/

It's an interesting learning curve coming to grips with using a large format camera for the first time ... then you have to develop the film of course!

I found mastering my Crown Graphic one of my most satisfying photographic experiences ... good luck. 🙂

 

[Morca007]

Well, with a bit of reading, things are starting to come together.
Focusing on the large ground glass is quite nice, though it's not very bright compared to my Yashica tlr. The rangefinder is, in fact, coupled and working, now that I know to do fine focusing with the knobs instead of the track! This bit was a relief to figure out, as I'm hoping to use it handheld.
The side shutter release button doesn't seem to be working (or I'm using it wrong), so I've been tripping the shutter with my finger. Going to have to get that figured out.

These old film holders are pretty dusty, and the wood on a few of them is worn, going to have to clean and check them.

Exciting stuff, can't wait to get some film in it!

 

[JCT]

That's a beaut-- sounds like you got a nice deal. I love my Super Graphic, these days I have been packing it in my carryon luggage along with a loaded Grafmatic when I go on business trips, great excuse to go for a walk and shake off the effects of a long frustrating meeting!

Hand-holding takes practice, but is lots of fun if your light is good. I invested in a Gitzo Traveler tripod- serious bucks, but a pleasure to take along.

Two quick tips--- make absolutely sure that the front standard is carefully racked *all the way* back in the body of the camera before you try to close it, a common mistake that can lead to a sad outcome.

And for the shutter, in my case, once I found a comfortable holding position (can take some fiddling) I just taped a shutter release cable in place, inelegant perhaps, but it you are hand-holding you obviously want to avoid jostling anything.

Have fun and enjoy those big negatives. And good luck resisting the siren's song of 8x10 🙄

JT

 

[Steve M.]

Believe it or not, youtube has a ton of videos that will help you, from loading the film to operating the camera. Just go to it's site and punch in your search terms and there are a lot of helpful videos. Much better than a book.

 

[venchka]

I had more trouble loading a Hasselblad. You aren't alone. It gets easier.

Make a check list. Follow it. check each thing off. Sooner or later you will...

forget to close the shutter
Forget to flip the film holder
etc
etc

Good luck!

 

[Keith]

There is no gas pedal and there is no brake ... just a 'cruise control!' 😀

 

[dennyhenry]

Just a warning about old used wooden film holders. I was in the same boat as you about a year ago. I had just bought a crown graphic and it came with a few wooden film holders.
I had one holder that simply fell apart when I pulled it out after taking a shot.

It also took me a little bit to figure out that my shutter was under-exposing by about 2 stops consistently.

 

[Morca007]

Half test shot to make sure the camera works, half first real portrait with 4x5.
Thanks for your help, all.

 

[Solinar]

It looks like you've mastered the Crown Graphic. - Where did your subject find that shirt? - It looks to be right of the 1970's.

 

[Morca007]

Not quite mastered, I did a super close-up, but forgot to compensate for ligh fall off when the bellows are extended! And I still need to calibrate the RF.

 

[TheHub]

Hubba-hubba - what a beaut!

You could also try heading over to www.apug.org. Lots's of LFers over there.

 

[loneranger]

Vow, this is so NICE..
I need to get one of these!!!!!!

Half test shot to make sure the camera works, half first real portrait with 4x5.
Thanks for your help, all.