Graflex.org

[troublemaker]

Looks like I have six or seven Century bodies now of various dates and none have paralax correction. I have never had any trouble pointing the camera a little higher as with a TLR style camera for closer subjects. I have been hand holding my Graphics for nearly a year now and find it to be convenient to have any kind of view finder whether it be optical or wire sports. True, the roll back keeps the face a bit far from the optical style finder, but I find i prefer the transition from RF to the optical as opposed to wire frame finder. If the RF is adjusted reasonably well, one may just shoot using the RF as a centering as well as focussing devise and if in a hurry shoot and crop later. On the other hand, I have been using the longer Optical finders I have rather than the stubby standard Century models. Either one will work but the longer type allieviates the roll back problem and gives more of an SLR thru the lens kind of feel. A frame finder is also nice for getting an idea of composition right side up as well as on the GG when time and support allows. I have found that the finders and mask for my 135 Optar on the 4x5 are very close to the full image of a 162mm while leaving plenty of room to move on the 135, so I can use it for both without needing different masks. I have learned quickly why these cameras remained fairly unchanged for so many years. They are versatile, tough, and with a little practice, fast. And fast is fun !!! (gets kinda spendy though with 4x5 film and a slick new (old) Grafmatic and a 35mm mentality.
Whereas I used to point and shoot too much, I also think too much, thus I call mine a "point and think". Ok, TMI.
Regards,
Stephen

_________________
Anyone can buy tools...

[atget2]

Hello pierson,

I too have gone from Speed Graphic to view camera -quite recently as I just aquired my Graflex View II last week and I am still working on putting a kit together. The Pacemaker to Graflex View lensboard adapter make it great combo. I haven't shot much more than a dozen exposures with the Speed and I'm hooked on LF!! But I believe I can really appreciate the Speed Graphic for what it was intended. I also got a couple of Grafmatic film magazines with the idea of trying my hand in the "street photography" genre. While I was visiting Stephan Cooper here in Albuquerque looking for series filters, he gave me a great tip that I would like to pass on here. To test some of these vintage and other lenses; i.e. for coverage etc., and to test light-fastness of second-hand film holders, film magazines, lensboards etc. Stephan suggested that I make exposures on 4x5 sheets of single weight photo paper and process them as cheaply as I can. Stephan says "go out and shoot, shoot, shoot ...anything. Get used to the sequence of making an exposure". The idea being that once you begin to feel comfortable with the mechanics of quick shooting with the press camera, you can focus more on the subject matter with less chance of forgetting to cock a shutter, or pull a dark slide, or forgetting to flip over a film holder. BTW Stephan as a number of hard to find widgets, lenses, etc. His URL is http://www.pgsys.com

[RKnoppow]

I think this camera has had the back replaced. There were two arrangements used for parallax correction of the sports finder. The older method was to move the front frame up and down. Later Pacemakers have an adjustable peepsight. It sounds like this is an older camera with one of the parts replaced. To use it set one on infinity and leave it there. Compensate with the other. Check the sight against the ground glass at to make sure the settings work.
Because lenses which focus by moving the whole lens have an angle of veiw that varies with the distance focused on a wire frame finder mounted on the lens standard will show the actual view of the lens where an optical finder will not. A wire finder is quite accurate provided its used with a "normal" lens. It will not work for telephoto or retrofocus lenses unless the frame is mounted over the second principal point.



_________________
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA USA
dickburk@ix.netcom.com