Graflex.org

Beezilly · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 10:42 pm Post subject:

I am brand new to LF photography. In fact, I'm really brand new to film photography in general. I own to nikon D-slr's and have shot / learned with them for more than 2 years now. I'm in the process of leaving all that 'business' behind, and ready to relax and have fun creating photographs with that at slow, even pace and prints with that timeless black and white feel. I just recieved my speed graphic from someone on ebay yesterday.

The person selling it didn't know anymore about the speed graphics than I, and so I told her to measure the back and she did and said it was 4x5, like I wanted but instead, I've finally got the camera, and its 3x4. I believe it was an honest mistake though. I was really dissapointed, but then I was happy to learn from this site that the camera should at least be usable by cutting down sheets of 4x5. It has a spring back. The possibility of getting a good roll film holder for it seems nill from what I've read so far, although this site suggested it may be possible to shave down a 4x5 back. I have never been that intersted in the roll film deal anyway (maybe that will change once I start dealing with sheets) but if anyone has any experience / suggestions?? much appreciated.

I would like to at least give the camera a chance, everything else seems to be in good condition. The billows look good. And the shutter works (once I figured it out). It probably took me 45 min to even get the bed open, I finally realized that little bump was a button / latch!! The lens is 90mm Wollenstack (forgive spelling). Since I got 3x4 instead of 4x5 I should have to worry less about coverage area / movements?? I cocked the lens shutter, and I can't seem to get it uncocked. I need help with this thing! Though I guess I can just open the lens shutter and use the focal plane shutter instead.

I can also see that the ground glass needs a good cleaning. Suggestions on that are welcome as well.

To start, I wish to pick one developer, and one paper, and stick with that, just making contact prints and maybe scanning (black and white) to go to epson 2200 or lightjet. So I'm really open to suggestions on film, paper, and scanning in general. I have no experience scanning either. Though what I've read so far, has not gotten me too fired up on scanning negs, seems the dynamic range of digital sensors (something I was hoping to leave behind) rears its head in scanning much the same as digital capture? Most photogs who scan, are scanning chromes? Maybe fuji should push there regular and highlight pixels into the scanning arena?? Or maybe I should forget about scanning and go old school all the way.

I know you guys don't like general questions, but I'm so new I don't have any specific ones yet.

Thank you for your time,

Andrew Marshall

Indianapolis (area), Indiana, USA

RichS · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2004 11:30 pm Post subject:

Congrats on the new camera. There's nothing 'wrong' with 3x4. And if you search through these forums, you'll find that out. Plenty of people like that format.

And if you look at this thread, you'll see that you're not alone...
http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?topic=3076&forum=1&2

Unfortunately, I'm in a bit of a rush at the moment, or I would try to help with the shutter. You may have pressed a 'focus' button if it has one. Generally there are two levers. One to cock it, the other to fire it. Try moving those levers, gently! If someone else doesn't offer the solution by the time I get back, we'll see what we can do

A slightly better description of the shutter would help...

As far as film, paper and developer, that's pretty simple, or complicated... As you wish... Go to J&C, pick a film as there aren't all that many in 3x4. I would suggest a J&C 200 as a middle of the road film. D-76 developer is about as standard and easy as you can get. Works fine in trays, tanks & drums and will do just about any B&W film. I can't offer much help with paper as I've kinda moved off to POP stufff and I doubt that's what you're looking for. But the folks here will be happy to offer suggestions

Enjoy! You figured out how to open the case, so you're half way there!

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Ah, the old oops, thought it was a 4x5 post... seems to happen a lot.
Anyway, occasionally a 3x4 120 roll film back passes by. Perhaps someone here can clarify if i am correct about this, but you could then use quite a variety of lenses and even enjoy a little more bellows length than offered by the 2x3 Graphics. I use 135 Optars with my 2x3's all the time and they make very nice corner to corner images since they cover 4x5. If you are not sure about it,maybe you can oopps it back to the seller?
Check on film prices and film holders etc. There is much more in options with 4x5 and 2x3, but the 3x4 has its ups also as mentioned above.
Have fun,
Stephen

Beezilly · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:38 am Post subject:

This shutter has a lever for adjusting aperture, one for cocking the shutter (which is cocked, but wont fire), one that I assume is supposed to release the shutter (although it's not doing anything at all) and one that as you push it down, catches so as to lock the shutter in the open position. That it there is no B, M, Z position lever as in the next lens, see below..

Aside from this I have another lens that came mounted on a lens board (off the camera) that is intersting to me. It's german I think, and appears quite older to the casual observer (that's me). I believe the make reads C.P. COERZ. Its shutter seems to work ok, I wonder about the focal length it's marked 5 inches. I'll do some research on this one!

thanks for the links

andrew

Beezilly · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:39 am Post subject:

sorry, just saw 5 in = 127 mm

45PSS · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 4:21 am Post subject:

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-25 11:09 ]

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Is the Wollensak a Raptar, and in a Rapax Shutter? These are relatively easy to fix. And it says you have a Speed, does the focalplane shutter work?
stephen

Beezilly · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:11 pm Post subject:

Is the Wollensak a Raptar, and in a Rapax Shutter? These are relatively easy to fix. And it says you have a Speed, does the focalplane shutter work?
stephen

I don't have the lens w/me now, but yest I believe Raptar, and Rapax is correct.

Yes the focal plane shutter seems to work great, although I have no idea how close the actual timing of it may be.

Beezilly · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2004 12:14 pm Post subject:

45PSS -thanks especially for the glass cleaning instructions, knowing me I would have cracked it for sure.

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

I saw on the other post you have the Spring back. Once you get or if you have film holders, keep reading and figure out your focal plane shutter. Then all you do is keep the front leaf shutter open and rely on the back shutter and dark slide. Once you have a few film sheets you are ready to make exposures. Chances are if the rear shutter's springs work and the curtian in good order it will be close enough.
I have a non-working 90 Raptar in a Rapax shutter here I will be servicing this evening. After that I don't have any left to work on. I will be glad to look at yours if you don't want to open it up, but they are kinda neat to fix.
regards,
Stephen

Beezilly · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:16 am Post subject:

Stephen,

I cleaned the ground glass, and while that was air drying, I began tearing down the lens, slowly. And after what seemed forever, poking / pulling, this and that, it began to function, somewhat, though both lenses are acting as though they have peanut butter on the shutter leaves sometimes. 30 minutes later I finally managed to get the lens back together. Everthing about this camera and LF lenses amazes me.

I put the german made lens on this evening, was able to see the upside down image very brightly and clearly this time even at night with regular interior lighting(the wollensak is f/6.8 while the other one opens to f/2.

NEAT! My girlfriend was not as impressed for some reason.

Dan Fromm · Joined: 14 May 2001 Posts: 2148 Location: New Jersey

troublemaker · Joined: 24 Nov 2003 Posts: 715 Location: So Cal

Peanut butter? I can't remeber what works well to get peanut butter off...
Sounds like your having a good time with it, and that is most important. I don't suspect too many of us have pleased our love interests when we pay attention to mechanical gizmos. I am not even sure I am allowed to take my cameras on trips anymore.

Beezilly · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 3:50 am Post subject:

Dan,

The post was supposed to read f/2.8. I don't know how the smile face that led you to believe 2.0 got in there.

All that is written on the lens is quite difficult to read.

But... Goerz Dacor Series 1N No Oa No 312734
DRP Compound D.R.G.M No 165040

Beezilly · Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 4:10 am Post subject:

Dan near the glass is says 6.8, but near the lever, marked stops read 2.8 4 8 16 32 64 128. Could someone explain??