Graflex.org

[office888]

I am new to 4x5 Photography and have recently bought a small kit on ebay. Could someone tell me what i need? I do realize that i need more film holders, considering this "kit" only comes with one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2986916041&ssPageName=ADME:B:BN:US:1

Things i intend on buying:
Graflex 120 Adapter
Seven more Holders
Graflex Flash with Reflector (Probably two. I think the twin flashes look much better )
Different Lenses (I need help on suggested mm's)

Thanks,
Richard

_________________
"Graflex cameras are like peanuts...you get one and you just can't stop." - Me

[Les]

Okay forget the 120 adapter until you have gone through at least 4 100 sheet boxes of film. There's little benefit of hauling around a 4x5 to get 120 size negs.

the Ektalux is an under rated flash, it drawback is it was "cutting edge" at the time and used special cords which you have, but also 22.5v batteries and a capcitor. Once up and running it's a much more reliable and lighter than 3 D cells. This is probably original to the camera too, so keep that i mind.

Lenses. Well the next lens is a 90, either an Angulong, Optar or even the 88mm B&L, which is a nice lens that goes cheap.

Work with those for a while then see if you really need a long lens.

_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

[Baker]

[Rangemaster]

I have to say, if you want a 120 back then by all means get one, I have found the 120 roll film back very beneficial when I am doing interiors on homes and such beacuse of the tilts and swings and I refuse to spend 400 hundred on a bellows set up for my medium format bronicas and living within 20 miles of Glacier National park, I use the 120 back quite often due to the fact I am not a person who likes to wait when it comes to getting my film developed and we have no local labs that deal with 4 X 5 developing so I have to send off, but I can get 120 developed and printed in about 1 1/2 hours from the time I drop it off, I would do myself, but hate to set the whole lab up to do 10 or 20 shots especially since I only shoot slide or C41, but again for the low cost I have found the 120 back to be a great item to have.

Dave Parker

[office888]

22.5 volt? Where the heck do i buy 22.5 volt batteries and a capacitor? Sounds like i pretty much just bought a flash for the sake of looking like i have a flash. Any adapters i could buy to adapt 22.5 into a more modern voltage, or any webpages that sell 22.5v batteries?

_________________
"Graflex cameras are like peanuts...you get one and you just can't stop." - Me

[sobahguy]

Hello...
This sounds like the same battery needed for the electric shutter release on Super Graphics. If so here's a link...

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F004%5F012%5F002%5F000&product%5Fid=960%2D0437

Can be ordered @ Radio Shack stores with 7-10 day delivery to your door. Midwest Photo also usually has them in stock.

[ This Message was edited by: sobahguy on 2004-02-20 06:40 ]

[Micah in NC]

[quote]
On 2004-02-20 06:34, office888 wrote:
22.5 volt? Where the heck do i buy 22.5 volt batteries and a capacitor? Sounds like i pretty much just bought a flash for the sake of looking like i have a flash. Any adapters i could buy to adapt 22.5 into a more modern voltage, or any webpages that sell 22.5v batteries?
[\quote]

Richard,

Sobahguy is almost correct.

The 22.5 volt battery you need is not the same physical size as the Graflex Super Graphic battery he mentioned.

The one for the Ektalux is skinny. It looks like this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F009%5F004%5F000%5F000&product%5Fid=960%2D2089

You can use the wider battery in the Ektalux--the one which Sobahguy suggested--but you probably won't be able to fit the battery cover on.

I have an Ektalux, but mine doesn't work anymore. It didn't have a battery cover when I bought it, so I used Scotch tape around the batteries/handle to keep them in place.

I haven't torn into mine, but I think the capacitor (aka "condensor") is dead. The Ektalux is neat because it can trip a solenoid on the camera's shutter and/or power other flash units (up to six other units, when two 22.5V batteries are installed!). It also has interchangeable reflectors and an adjustable (wide or narrow) flash beam, achieved by moving the bulb holder in or out with a sliding switch at the rear of the flash gun.

Also, the Ektalux takes both large screw base bulbs (like #2 and #3--size as regular household light bulbs) OR the medium-size bayonet base bulbs (like #5 and #25--same size as a common walnut).

--Micah in NC

[ This Message was edited by: Micah in NC on 2004-02-20 12:10 ]

[disemjg]

Don't worry about the flash; you got a good deal on the outfit, assuming that the camera checks out OK when you receive it. You can find Graflites for reasonable prices; I have gotten two in the past few months for $40 each, and they came with 7" reflectors. Call Midwest and ask for used old style Riteway holders, get the seven you mentioned, and use the camera as a 4X5 before you try adding other stuff you may not need. Enjoy your new toy!

[Les]

I'm gonna agree with sobaguy on the battery, I just got an Ektalux and have the Radio Shack batteries on order. The one that came out was a mallory version of the same (fat) battery. the price was still on it @ 1.54 and was very dead. Also the dummy battery is the same size as the fat one.

Les
Oh, and Radio Shack is by far the cheapest for these. I"m looking into making a battery pack out of rechargeables, but it hasn't gone very far yet.

the benefit of the 22.5v batteries is reliability. With a 3 cell system it only takes a couple of high resistance contacts...a bit of corrosion on a tab, some fingerprint oil between batteries, old flash cord, etc. To lower the voltage to the point that thing will fail intermitently, maybe there's enough to fire the flash, but the solenoid didn't have quite enough power to trip the shutter....end result....spent bulb, no picture, and a photographer that's not a happy camper.

Now with the 22.5v battery that dumps into a good sized capacitor, you end up with a lot of current and a vairly high voltage . The high resistance doesn't have near the effect on 22.5 as it does on 4.5. And if you read the instructions on the Ektalux flash it says to use TWO 22.5v batteries for the solenoid...that's 45v, it's gonna trip every time!



[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2004-02-20 19:31 ]

[office888]

Wow, thanks for your help guys. I am currently awaiting this camera in the mail. I recently went out and bought a pack of Ilford HP5 Black & White 4x5 film (25 sheets). I expect to receive the Crown Graphic in the mail friday, then go shoot my sister's graduation from college on saturday. I ordered the skinnier version of the batteries today.

Thanks for your help!

Richard

_________________
"Nice flash...let me see that" *FLASH* "MY EYES!"

[ This Message was edited by: office888 on 2004-02-23 06:11 ]

[Micah in NC]

Richard,

Well, I hope the "skinny" batteries don't let you down. They should last a good while, maybe not as long as the fat ones. I think my memory is going downhill!!!

Sorry if I misled you. (Thanks for the correction, Les. And my apologies to sobahguy.)

Let us know how that Ilford film does for you!

--Micah