Graflex.org

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

Bruce aka bruiser has generously lent me a complete Graflok back to use when setting up the rangefinders and lens over the next few weeks.

But I have decided that I will not bother with trying to find spring backs, but I will make a 'skeleton' panel from a few old hacksaw blades and 1/4" plywood, which will let me use film holders and Grafmatics's.

I will post some pictures when I get them done...
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com

bruiser · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:07 am Post subject:

ahhhhhhh!! that's what I love about Graphics...make your own parts from anything left in a dark corner of the garage

I mailed the Graflok this morning to you Lynn, so fingers crossed it will arrive midweek.

In the meantime...have fun making your Lynnlok back!!

Cheers,
Bruce

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

Introducing The 'Lynnlok' Back

The latest innovative, 'can't-live-without' gadget for the Speed Graphic user!

Now that order has resumed in the room, let's unveil this technological break-through...

The Lynnlok back is a super-lightweight back made specifically for use with 'double-dark' film holders and the Grafmatic 45. Made from the highest grade spring steel and micro-cellular encapsulated carbon-fibre, these cutting-edge materials are bonded together using cold-forged 1040 steel rivets to withstand decades of professional abuse. The Lynnlok makes your Speed Graphic quicker and easiest to use while substantially reducing the operating weight.

The Lynnlok back securely grips the film-holder with machined slot on the leading cross-member which has been critically aligned with the slot in the back of the Speed Graphic. Never will your film-holder come loose while removing a dark-slide or cycling the Grafmatic 45! While the Lynnlok securely holds the film-holder, sliding your thumb under the ergonomically designed leading cross-member instantly releases the film-holder in natural, efficient movement that quickly becomes instinctive, allowing you to double your frames-per-minute rate with ease!

The Lynnlok is installed in seconds and will be available in natural finish or stealth black.

Demand is expected to quickly out-strip supply, so get yours today and enjoy the Lynnlok advantage over your competition!
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com

bruiser · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:58 am Post subject:

Brilliant work!!!!

You realise however that all royalties due for the use of the name 'Lynnlok' will be directly payable to my 'Purchase More Graphics' bank account

Seriously Lynn...I love that back!!!!!!!!

Cheers,
Bruce

IanG · Joined: 04 Aug 2006 Posts: 74 Location: United Kingdom

Nice one, simple but effective.

I'll refrain from bidding on Lot 14 or was it Lot 24

Ian

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

Ian,

I think it was Lot #14... go for it.

Bruce is sending me a Graflok back for set-up and calibration only. I cannot be bothered with putting other backs on the Speeds since I am not planning to use ground-glass at all after calibration.

For those emergencies, I am modifying a film pack holder to accept a ground-glass. I will make a second 'Lynnlok' back for the Black Speed.

I am a very happy Speed user!

Now if I could just remember to open the damn shutter on the lens...
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com

pv17vv · Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

I understand these 'spring kits' are not cheap when one finds them.
It might be interesting to do some kind of 'blue print' and upload it here to permit interested Graflexers to DIY them easily.

tsgrimm · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 158 Location: SE Michigan

pv17vv,

I saw a brand new in the shrink wrap 4x5 Graflex Spring Kit go for 19.95 USD about 14.31 Euros (today's rate) within the last three months.

Of course, it was up for auction and the final price will vary with the number of interested persons bidding.

They are rare on eBay, no doubt about it. The availability of good used Graflok backs may have kept this price down.

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

I serviced the shutter on the Black Speed today, and it happily 'clicking ' along. I also received the Speedex yesterday so I will make a lensboard for it and with the help of the Graflok back from Bruce, I will start testing the lens.
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

Well... here is the Speedex mounted on the Black Speed...

I spent a bit of time in the workshop yesterday and made a half-dozen lens-boards for the Speeds, while the boards are not as pretty as the factory boards, they are within the same 'spec' and work just fine. If anyone needs a board, let me know, it was as easy to make six as it was one...

Here is the Speedex on its board...

With the help of the Graflok back from Bruce, I reset the infinity stops and got the rangefinder roughed in. On the ground-glass the Speedex is a wild looking thing, with a very curved field and razor-thin depth-of-field. Not sure the rangefinder will be accurate enough to use with the Speedex. I can tell already that the Speedex is not what I was hoping for to use on the street, but it will be good for portraits and such like. I will get out and shoot some film with it later today and see what it looks likeon the negative before I make a final judgement.

I have a late 1944 Aero-Ektar in the way, so I am looking forward to using that lens on the Black Speed.

Now... I just have to get the flash gear sorted.
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com

bruiser · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:55 am Post subject:

That setup looks excellent Lynn!

Wonder why the Speedex would have a curved field? Anyone know their original purpose??

Like you said Lynn, a great portrait lens, although you might have to bolt the subject in place!

I can tell you will have REAL fun when the Aero-Ektar arrives

Cheers,
Bruce

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

Bruce,

The Speedex is the weirdest lens I have ever messed with. While it is a terror to focus at infinity, it seems to have bucket-loads of depth-of-field at 6 feet and under... maybe a projection lens of some sort... process lens... on the ground-glass it has little distortion and is frighteningly sharp at about 3 feet... with the greatest looking out-of-focus areas you can imagine.

What do you think?

The Aero will be a few weeks from deployment, as it will need a complete service and overhaul, including the diaphragm 'reconnected and the rear elements bleached. I got for a good price, but the real reason the I bought was because the glass is flawless inspite of the mechanical issues and internal dust.

Yes, I am looking forward to putting the Aero on the Black Speed. And as a bonus, the Aero is also from 1944!
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

Some studio shots...

Silver and Black...

The Silver Speed...

The Black Speed...

I like the Black Speed best, the brassing and patina is just beautiful.
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

The Aero Has Landed!!!

A reunion of the 'Class of '44'...

I reckon these two have a bit of catching to do... one can only wonder where the Black Speed has been and what the '44 Aero has seen... a thought that is intriguing and overwhelming at once. Maybe it is good that things can't talk...
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com

P. Lynn Miller · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Location: Sydney, Australia

It has been said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions...

I was fully intending to have the Aero overhauled before using it...
I was fully intending to buy a 'proper' lens-board from Jo Lommen...
I was fully intending to exercise patience and make sure the Black Speed/Aero was set-up properly...
I was intending...

Well... you can guess where I am going!

Of course, I was not going to wait for anything! I just had to head into the workshop and mount the Aero... Now!!!

I used one of my 'home-made' lens-boards and the original mounting ring, which I have heavily modified to used as the retaining ring on the back of the board. It was a very snug fit and I had to 'profile' the ring on the top so it would allow mounting the lens to the Black Speed.

So with some Yankee ingenuity and Australian hardwood, the lens fits like glove and is rock solid in use. To be honest, impatience combined with fiscal constraints was the catalyst for the project. The JoLo 44 board is about $250AUD delivered to my door, so I figured that an hour of my time is worth about $250, so while my solution is not as pretty, I can now buy some more film and the Polaroid back I want.

The Black Speed with the Aero-Ektar has to be one of the most gorgeous cameras I have seen in a very long time...

I get a tingling of the spine every time I pick up the Black Speed... 65 years young, veteran of the greatest conflict known to mankind and still capable of producing better photographs than I am able to compose. And getting more handsome with age, if only I could be so lucky!

While I may be headed down the road to 'you-know-where', at least I can be assured that I can back with a good negative!

Now off to load those Grafmatic 45's with some Tri-X. And, note to self, calibrate the range finder before I start burning silver!
_________________
P. Lynn Miller
Sydney, Australia

http://plynnmiller.com