Graflex.org

[Barney]

Hello All: Recently moved to Montana, and haven't been on here for awhile. Yesterday I aquired an older Speed that has been heavily used and worn but works good. The Serial is 360xxx, and it has a typical 135mm F4.7 lens by Wollensack on a 4 x 4 lensboard. Inside the lensboard at bottom is a 45 degree chamfer on the board that faciltates placing it in the camera for mounting. The top lens board lock is the typical with "Speed Graphic" engraved on it. The shutter release is a neat little piece that is mounted with two small screws to the lensboard. The screw heads are flushed mounted on the inside, and the nuts are of the acorn type on the outside. You push the spring loaded release horizontally to release the lens shutter. The Kalhart seems to be pretty accurate for distance compared to focusing on the ground glass; however, the side to side focus is slightly off. A couple of questions please. What is the little switch for on the lens? It has off, then 0,5 20? Is that related to the flash? Because of the 4 x 4 lensboard would that place the camera date in the 1928 to 30's or so? I shot a 54 polaroid with the focal plane shutter at F8/100, (B4) around 7PM last night, and it came out pretty good. The shutter in the lens is pretty slow though, the other polaroid shot was overexposed a stop or so, and needs to go to Grimes for the usual CLA, and shutter speed postings. JP Mose how have ya been? I enjoy the site here, it is a good one!!

[Les]

The 4x4 lensboard with a champfer on it means it's wood. that coud place it anywere between 1912 and 1947.

Some of the PRe-Anniversary cameras did have the Speed Graphic name on the top slider starting in the late thirties?

If the front standard locks by twisting the pull, It's an Anny, if the front standard pulls out by pinching two finger holes together, it's a Pre-Ann.

If it's got chrome trim and block letters for "Speed Graphic" then it was made between 40-'43. If it's mostly black it's a War Time Speed, If the Speed Graphic letters are Italic then it's a post war Speed from '45-47

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

[t.r.sanford]

...further to the question, yes, the switch you mention is a flash synchronization selector: 20 is for medium-peak flashbulbs, 5 for fast-peak flashbulbs (SM and SF), and 0 for electronic flash.

I have a shutter release very like the one you describe on my "Anniversary Speed."

[Rangemaster]

Hellow Barney,

What part of Montana did you move to, I to am located in MT and have a collection of graphics that get used both in Glacier and Yellowstone.

Dave

[Barney]

Dave: I live in Lewistown. I get up your way maybe we can get together, drink a coffee, etc.
The lensboard is naturally wood. It is also black. The words "Speed Graphic" are in black on a chrome slider. The pull is bright chrome, and you twist it to lock. There is no Graphic by Graflex metal ID tag inside the bed like there is in my Crown with top rangefinder. The Graflex plate is on the side and holds the speed settings for the focal plane shutter. It has a front rise only. The back sight for the sports finder is square not round like my Crown. The infinity stops are not fold overs. The have springs on each stop that are engaged before the front standard comes to a stop. I loaded some Tri-X last night in the Grafmatic holders I have. I will give the camera a workout today with the Focal Plane shutter. Let ya all know how they turn out in a few days or so. Thanks for all the additional Info, and have a safe and happy Memorial Day. Remember a Vet!!

[disemjg]