Graflex.org

Simplify · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 43

The instrument does appear to be in the E+++ condition that the seller stated. However, there is a crack in the bottom left hand corner of the Ground Glass. I am able to focus using a loupe at the center of the Ground Glass. I am concerned that this missing chunk of glass broken off at an angle may affect my results.

I would like your opinions before I write the seller to advise him of this. I have never owned an LF before so I don't have the knowledge to decide whether I should write him or not.

Thanks!

Kathleen

RichS · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:15 pm Post subject:

Great news, and ummm, some bad I guess...

That's a position I hate to be in, and have been more than once. I have quite a few things here that I should have sent back but decided to keep for one reason or another...

The ultimate decision will be yours if you have the option to return it.

Thee worst case would be a full return and you would probably have to pay the postage back to the seller. You lose the camera but get most of your money back.

The best case would be the seller would pay for a new GG. And the cost of one is not all that high.

Middle ground would be the seller refund some amount of money towards a new GG...

Me personally? I would probably accept all the above and keep it... But that's me. Once I have something in-hand, I hate to give it up

Of course depending on how much glass you're missing, you might get along with it the way it is for some time? That's up to you also...

For an idea of how much a replacement GG would cost, go see Ground Glass Specialties, Home of Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass at:
http://www.satinsnowglass.com/
You will be suprised at the low cost and I (and many others) can attest to the amazing quality of the GG he provides. Since your camera is probaly old enough to not have an Ektalie (fresnel) screen behind the GG, it's very simple to replace it with a new one.

I think that's what I would do. And you'd have the best GG with the brightest view that you can get, well, without spending 10 times as much anyway

Good luck with it no matter what you decide...

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

How big is it? I've got a camera with all four corners missing. It was intentional on my camera.

To me the issue would be. What did the seller claim? If they claimed 100% I'd be bothered. If they claimed less then that I wouldn't be. But that's me. Last month I bought a 35mm camera that was allegedly "Tested and working 100%". Well you couldn't load film in the thing!@#$#$ I wrote the seller and he offered to have it fixed. I sent it back [he paid for shipping] had it fixed and the repair shop sent it back. If he had said as-is or mentioned it didn't load film right I wouldn't have been upset but he claimed working and tested.

t.r.sanford · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:03 pm Post subject:

There's no reason to distrust the image you see in the center of a groundglass with a corner broken off. On larger sheetfilm cameras, the GG often has all four corners cut away, for pneumatic reasons.

Groundglass does not ship well at all; I remember trying to buy a sheet of 8x10 GG from Edmund Scientific, a quarter of a century ago -- no matter how carefully they packed it, I received it cracked. I finally gave up; the point of which is, are you sure the damage did not occur in transit? The seller may not be mendacious. Or he or she simply may never have opened up the focusing hood...

Rangemaster · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:16 pm Post subject:

T.R.

I have shipped over 400 sheets of ground glass around the world as of today, including 8 x 10's, 7 x 17's, 8 x 20's and 16 x 20's and have not had a broke sheet yet, so it is not that difficult or expensive to get a ground glass to ship without breakage..

There are a few that regularly post here that can attest to getting their glass with no problem at all.

Dave

_________________
Focus on the Picture, Not on the Glass.
Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass

Simplify · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 43

I really did not mean to imply any malice on the sellers part. It very well could have cracked during shipment. It is just a triangular shaped left bottom corner missing approximately 1/2 inch long. If it will not affect the exposure then I really have no worries. I just don't know enough yet to make that conclusion. I think what you're saying is that it will not affect the exposure. In that case it is a beautiful camera and it is in E+++ condition. I'd love to keep it. Just don't know about the ground glass. That's all. If it will affect exposure then I will probably notify the seller and order a new one whether or not he chooses to do anything. I really do want a Speed Graphic! I am mostly happy!

Rangemaster · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:23 pm Post subject:

A broke or clipped corner will not affect your exposure on the film, when you insert the film holder it will be in front of the ground glass, your shutter speed and aperture opening is what determines your exposure.

Dave

_________________
Focus on the Picture, Not on the Glass.
Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass

Simplify · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 43

Ah! Now I see you are the gentleman who sells this glass. I may well wind up getting a new on anyway as it was indicated above the brighter the better!

Focusing with a loupe is a whole new experience for me and seeing an image upside down and backward was even more of a surprise! If I could get something a bit cleaner and a bit brighter, then it would be well worth alleviating that factor when learning in a controlled environment!

Boy, I have a lot to learn!

Now, I see we have a choice between clipped and unclipped. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

Having the corners removed makes it easier to check if the lensboard is leaking light-) You can check the aperture. If you can see the whole thing it's supposed to not vignette. I think that's the story.

Simplify · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 43

Okay! I suppose as time goes by and I read a little more I'll know what that means.

Ummm .... So, you would recommend clipped? Should I get the 1/4" - 3/8" - or 1/2"? It sounds to me like clipping is a GOOD thing!

Nick · Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 494

I think it's a religous issue. If you scan the archives of rec.photo.equipment.large-format from google groups you'll see people 100% sure both ways are the only right way.

Pick what you enjoy.

Rangemaster · Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject:

Simplify,

Yes, I sell glass, and no, I did not post to sell you glass, I don't use this forum for promotion, I do however try to help out with questions as much as possible, based on my several years of experiance with these and many other types of cameras.

In the old days, many corners were clipped to be able to check if a lens was vignetting, that is cutting off light at the corners, I shot my cameras both ways, it all depends on what camera and what lens I am shooting that particular day, also as T.R. Stated, on some of the cameras, especially the ones with air tight bellows, it can be a real benefit to being able to close the door or fold the camera up if you have the corners clipped as it allows the air to escape as the camera is folded. I had a 16 x 20 a few years ago, without clipped corners and that thing was almost impossible to get closed, until I clipped the corners so the air could displace.

If I can help, let me know, but it sounds as if your camera has a very workable piece of glass in it now.

Dave

_________________
Focus on the Picture, Not on the Glass.
Satin Snow(TM) Ground Glass

Simplify · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 43

HaHa! Would not want to be involved in that debate! Anyway, it sounds to me like a little clipped corner may be useful.

I was attached to it before it even arrived! I feel like I've just adopted a child or something!

I actually named my Speed Graphic before even arrived! Since it is the Anniversary Edition and was THE most used camera during WWII I've aptly named her "Mad Anne". The Kanawha Trail is right up the road from my house too!

Anne Bailey, "the white Squaw of the Kanawha", is the heroine of border warfare days in the Kanawha Valley. She is said to have been born in Liverpool, England. She came to America about 1761 and settled near Staunton, Va. Here she married Richard Trotter, who was killed in the Battle of Point Pleasant. Immediately upon learning of her husband's death, Anne became "Mad Anne" and, clothing herself in the garb of a frontiersman, set out to avenge her loss.

She became a scout and as such did her bit in the region of present Charleston during the Revolution and the Indian wars that followed. After they ended she resumed her civilian life and customs, having meanwhile married John Bailey. Her remaining years were spent at Gallipolis, Ohio, where she died.

So, have any of you actually picked out names for your cameras?

Simplify · Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Posts: 43

Thank you Dave! I do understand that and it does make sense! Thanks for sharing that bit of knowledge with me! I am just so excited about this new adventure in Photography! I feel like a small child on Christmas Morning!

So, if mine is clearly not new, then one could assume that yours would be brighter?

glennfromwy · Joined: 29 Nov 2001 Posts: 903 Location: S.W. Wyoming

Clipped corners can help prevent a very disheartening bellows collapse or split, which can happen when the bellows are extended or retracted rapidly. That is why T.R. explained it as "pneumatic reasons". For some reason, the Pacemakers didn't come with clipped corners. At least none that I've had. The backs on these seem to be less "pneumatically challenged", however.

_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"