comp_wiz101
Compulsive Tinkerer
Hi, I'm thinking of getting a Crown graphic 4x5 with 2 grafmatic backs, a bunch of normal backs, an older style Polaroid 500 sheet film back (apparently usable with a bit of experimentation)... and some other items. It has been a while since I've seen it, so I cannot remember the lens+shutter combination. I believe that it has the Graflok back, and side mounted kalart with the electric light bulb to "beam" the rangefinder spots. This would be my first large format camera, and I would perhaps get a rollfilm back for it eventually. I can get it for a good price as well. Any thoughts for a newbie?
kmack
do your job, then let go
I would say go for it. Large but easy to handle. Developing 4x5 black and white is no harder than roll film and 50 sheets of 200asa 4x5 can be had for as low as $20.
I borrowed one for a few weeks and loved it. I wanted to buy it but the owner is not selling. Heck if it is in reasonable shape and at an reasonable price buy it and sell it to me.
I borrowed one for a few weeks and loved it. I wanted to buy it but the owner is not selling. Heck if it is in reasonable shape and at an reasonable price buy it and sell it to me.
Carrotblog
Established
Hi there,
If it's at a good price then go for it - I don't have one although I've used one before.
It's a cheap entry route into 5x4" and the parts are easy to come by - does offer around 20mm of shift, some tilt and base board drop.
Do make sure that your Grafmatic septums are all perfectly straight and that there is no attempted alterations - these are reputed to scratch film when bent. The Graflex Crown Graphic should also come with an international Graflok back that allows you to use any 5x4" international roll film back. If it is spring-loaded only, then you might think twice....
The side mounted Kalart will only be mounted for a specific focal length - probably 127mm or 135mm so make sure the lens matches, otherwise you will need to recalibrate.
I used to love these! How nostalgic your post has evoked memories in me!
xoxoxoxo
Miffy
http://carrotblog.livejournal.com
Overall, it's a lot of fun and you should check out www.graflex.org where the Graflexgeeks hang out
If it's at a good price then go for it - I don't have one although I've used one before.
It's a cheap entry route into 5x4" and the parts are easy to come by - does offer around 20mm of shift, some tilt and base board drop.
Do make sure that your Grafmatic septums are all perfectly straight and that there is no attempted alterations - these are reputed to scratch film when bent. The Graflex Crown Graphic should also come with an international Graflok back that allows you to use any 5x4" international roll film back. If it is spring-loaded only, then you might think twice....
The side mounted Kalart will only be mounted for a specific focal length - probably 127mm or 135mm so make sure the lens matches, otherwise you will need to recalibrate.
I used to love these! How nostalgic your post has evoked memories in me!
xoxoxoxo
Miffy
http://carrotblog.livejournal.com
Overall, it's a lot of fun and you should check out www.graflex.org where the Graflexgeeks hang out
comp_wiz101
Compulsive Tinkerer
Recalibration of the rangefinder is no biggy for me (all of the cameras in my signature I've needed to repair) It's been a while since I've seen it, and I'd be checking again before hand, but I believe it is the graflok back, because it is sprung AND has the sliding metal strips (kind of like the lensboards) to remove the board for other accessories.
*As I was writing this, I found a set of comparison pictures at Pacific Rim Camera.... now I'm sure it's a Graflok*
I was thinking that I'd start off with paper negatives, then develop some ortho film, and work my way up to pancromatic once I have it down pat.
*As I was writing this, I found a set of comparison pictures at Pacific Rim Camera.... now I'm sure it's a Graflok*
I was thinking that I'd start off with paper negatives, then develop some ortho film, and work my way up to pancromatic once I have it down pat.
robertdfeinman
Robert Feinman
Advice
Advice
I would suggest starting with Polaroid film. The type 55 B&W gives a negative and a positive. Unfortunately the exposure needed for each to be optimized is not the same, so the thing to do is expose for the negative and just use the print as part of your filing system.
The per shot cost is higher, but you don't have to fuss with loading graphmatics (which can be tricky, epsecially if they are stiff or warped). You also don't have to buy much to process the film, a simple tray or tank to clear the film and a way to wash it as well.
If you want to use film, I suggest starting with easyloads which look a lot like polaroid packets. I don't think they will work properly in the old model polaroid holder, so you might look for a newer one on ebay.
If you are getting a crown instead of a speed you won't have the back shutter. This is a great feature since you can mount any sort of lens on the camera with it. 35mm lens and enlarging lenses make great closeup lenses, for example.
There is practically nothing that can go wrong with the crowns, but the shutters on the lenses may need a CLA - this can be expensive.
There is nothing quite like looking at a 4x5 negative or transparency!
Advice
I would suggest starting with Polaroid film. The type 55 B&W gives a negative and a positive. Unfortunately the exposure needed for each to be optimized is not the same, so the thing to do is expose for the negative and just use the print as part of your filing system.
The per shot cost is higher, but you don't have to fuss with loading graphmatics (which can be tricky, epsecially if they are stiff or warped). You also don't have to buy much to process the film, a simple tray or tank to clear the film and a way to wash it as well.
If you want to use film, I suggest starting with easyloads which look a lot like polaroid packets. I don't think they will work properly in the old model polaroid holder, so you might look for a newer one on ebay.
If you are getting a crown instead of a speed you won't have the back shutter. This is a great feature since you can mount any sort of lens on the camera with it. 35mm lens and enlarging lenses make great closeup lenses, for example.
There is practically nothing that can go wrong with the crowns, but the shutters on the lenses may need a CLA - this can be expensive.
There is nothing quite like looking at a 4x5 negative or transparency!
tetrisattack
Maximum Creativity!
I love my crown graphic more than any of my other cameras, and that may well include the Leica.
I don't use the rangefinder, preferring the ground glass for focus and composition. Maybe I would if it were actually operational but the mirrors have long lost their silver.
The focussing rails are easy to screw up if you drop the bed when the rails are in the wrong place, so be on the lookout for that.
Also, importantly, I found out in the middle of a project last year that the speeds on my lens (an Optar, I think?) were off; the shutter spring governing the high speeds was fatigued and essentially impossible to adjust. I would suspect that my lens is not the only one in this state. I put a new lens on the camera but it might not be so simple if you wish to use the rangefinder.
At any rate, I took this picture this morning...
I don't use the rangefinder, preferring the ground glass for focus and composition. Maybe I would if it were actually operational but the mirrors have long lost their silver.
The focussing rails are easy to screw up if you drop the bed when the rails are in the wrong place, so be on the lookout for that.
Also, importantly, I found out in the middle of a project last year that the speeds on my lens (an Optar, I think?) were off; the shutter spring governing the high speeds was fatigued and essentially impossible to adjust. I would suspect that my lens is not the only one in this state. I put a new lens on the camera but it might not be so simple if you wish to use the rangefinder.
At any rate, I took this picture this morning...
Attachments
R
Rich Silfver
Guest
a) Make sure you get cams for all the lenses - they can be a pain to find,
b) Does it have a Fresnel screen?
c) Make sure it has the graflok back
b) Does it have a Fresnel screen?
c) Make sure it has the graflok back
comp_wiz101
Compulsive Tinkerer
IT has the Kalart side rangefinder, so it does not use cams, you just align it for one lens
Adam Muir
say no to trash buttons
dont think, just buy! think later while looking at your beautiful 4 X 5 neg/trany