Graflex.org

monkeykoder · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 28

So I guess my first assumption about this auction when I went to bid , that something in the auction would make it worth at least $150 was somewhat correct? Would I be stupid to try to ask the guy for a small amount of refund or would I just be being rude?

DHF845 · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:15 am Post subject:

monkeykoder,
I have a Miniature Speed, 1938 model with pop-up optical finder (makes it look a bit like a Pre-Annie of same era). Mini Speeds had two focusing knobs, chromed hardware, and aluminum beds- like the soon to be Anniversary model. Sort of like a half-way point. I assume yours has the common Graphic spring back.
With focal-plane flash synch, tons of inexpensive lenses, and the easy availability of 2x3 roll film backs, it's a great camera. Put a modern 120 back on it (look for the better-designed Singer/Graflex lever wind backs for btwn. $50-$100, very easy to find). Considering the advantages of 120 film, I'd say keep it.
Do go to the main Graflex.org pages and read about Speed Graphics, and about converting a spring back to take a Graphic Roll film holder. Best of luck and enjoy your new camera. It's worth the money.
_________________
Got first Speed Graphic at 15 (1976).Other kids were using 35mm SLR's. I ran around with flashbulbs and sheet-film holders, I wanted to be Weegee (#2084).

bruiser · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:18 am Post subject:

Hi, this isn't the first, and certainly not the last, instance of sellers describing 2x3 miniature Speeds as 4x5 Speeds.
One 2x3 seller told me 4x5 was the OUTSIDE dimensions of the camera body so it 'had to be a 4x5' while another thought the 4x5 description applied to the dimensions of the drop bed!
Once you've seen a few Speeds (and Crowns) the differences are obvious, but for the first time buyer this is often not the case. Graflex never made things easy!
Cheers to all from Downunder,
Bruce

monkeykoder · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 28

Right about now I'm regretting having the camera shipped to my parent's house it is there RIGHT NOW and it isn't getting the attention it deserves. According to my dad at least all the shutters operate the bellows has no apparent light leaks and the lenses look like they might work and the light meter functions I should be taking pictures with it in a couple of weeks at the most (or however long it takes to get the film in from freestyle and a darkroom set up). Does Ilford still make HP5 in 2X3 or has that recently been scrapped (I didn't see it at freestyle). Also where would I find an instruction manual or the like for this camera?

DHF845 · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:14 am Post subject:

If this is your first Speed Graphic, get a reprint of the original factory instruction manual. Don't overpay for a vintage original if you're actually going to use it, leave them for the collectors.
Check this place out, they have it, they're great to deal with: go to www.photobooksonline.com, then search "Graflex Graphic Press Cameras Instruction Manuals" on their website. The second item listed is a reprint 1943 Miniature Speed Graphic manual, $12.00. Or go to their ebay site, there's an equally good reprint 1941 Miniature Speed manual for only $9.90. They take Pay-Pal.
Good luck, congrats on your Mini Speed, they're great cameras. Get a 120 roll film back too, even if you have to put a 23 Pacemaker rear end on it to get the Graflok back. It's worth the trouble.

monkeykoder · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 28

Thanks for the advice I ordered the instruction manual.

DHF845 · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject:

monkeykoder-
Building a system around your camera is easy and cheap, and adding to it with accessories will not be throwing good money after bad.
I like the Mini Speed because it's among the last old-school, handcrafted cameras from Graflex. Anniversary Speed Graphics and Miniature Speed Graphics were made at the zenith of craftsmanship, reliability and workmen's pride. We shall not see their like again.
Mini and Anniversary Speed Graphics are great hand cameras. They're not field or view cameras, and never will be. They don't have shifts and swings. If you really wanted a 4x5 camera for tripod use a Graphic View is what you need. Sell your Mini Speed on eBay and get what you really want.
But if you got it for hand-camera use, you'll grow to love this camera. Best of luck with it.-DHF

monkeykoder · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 28

I have no problem with learning with the limits of this camera until I run into something I want from it that I can't do from there I can figure out what the next step is. I figure for the price I haven't really lost much in terms of money and I've gained a lot in terms of experience. I think I'm doing good.

monkeykoder · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 28

Serial number 396930 looks to be in excellent shape but if I want to use the light meter (weston 650) I'll have to get a replacement photocell which probably isn't worth the effort but it would look cool to be using it. Lenses = Kodak Ektar 101mm f:4.5 manufacture date 1946 and a PERLE "WIDE ANGLE" 6.5cm f:6.8 glass on lenses is a little dirty but I think I can clean it. Definitely a graphic back

C. Henry · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 2:45 am Post subject:

Looking at my copy of Shutterfinger's "Not the Serial Number Book List ... But" the four nearest listings to your camera's serial number are;
394550 - 3x4 anniversary - 1946
395280 - 3x4 anniversary - 1946
Your camera - 396930
397653 - anniversary -1946
398792 - 3x4 anniversary - 1946

And the nearest 2x3 entries (identified as such) on that list are:
377356 - miniature speed - 1946
410196 - 2x3 crown - 1947

Makes it almost certain that your camera was built in 1946.

C. Henry

monkeykoder · Joined: 24 Aug 2008 Posts: 28

Seems to agree with the date on the lens saying maybe the lens is original.

DHF845 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 10:49 am Post subject:

monkeykoder-
I'd say you're doing great! 101mm Ektar was a coated, top-quality OEM lens for your rig. The 65mm wide-angle is about equal to a 28mm on a 35mm camera. Get an 8 inch (200mm) lens and you'll be set for portrait work with the equivalent of a 80mm (on a 35mm). Hint: lenses in barrel are much cheaper (and more compact) than lenses in shutter, something you can only do with a Speed Graphic.
IMHO, I'd equip your camera with folding infinity stops (you can have 3 pairs set for three different length lenses). Find (or make) focusing scales for the different focal lengths and attach them to the bed/focusing track (and get wide, normal and tele viewfinder frames for your optical finder). You'll have an interchangeable-lens 2x3 camera outfit for about the price of one Hasselblad lens!

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

DHF845, one of the Mini Speed's disadvantages relative to the 2x3 Pacemaker is that its infinity stops don't fold down. For all practical purposes, they're fixed. A nice image that shows them is here: http://www.graflex.org/speed-graphic/miniature-speed-graphic.html

Another disadvantage is that the outer rails aren't linked to the inner rails, which makes focusing lenses so short that they make infinity with the front standard on the inner rails difficult. Doable, as users of Super Graphics will tell you, but not as easy as it could be.

Also, there's no guarantee that a 101/4.5 Ektar made in 1946 is coated. Some were, others, including my E0 3946, weren't.

DHF845 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject:

Dan Fromm-
My bad. I thought all post WW II Ektars were at least front surface coated, but not by '46, right?
As far as inf. stops, I did it by altering the camera. I modified my Mini by screwing Pacemaker-style stops to the outside flats of the focusing rails (I drilled two tiny holes in each side to bolt the stops on). I wouldn't suggest doing this to a rare, antique camera. The stops fold down flat to outside of track, front standard passes over them. Not original factory style, but it works.
A low-profile 65mm lens in barrel just makes it onto the back of the front focusing rails at infinity. A lens like a Super-Angulon in a Seico shutter probably won't.
I don't think everyone should alter or modernize their cameras. I was trying to offer some ideas of how to get more usability from the equipment he has.

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

There have been discussions here about when EKCo started coating lenses. No one's ever claimed to own a 1947 or later Ektar that was not Lumenized (hard coated). Some of us, me among them, have reported uncoated 1946 Ektars, others have reported Lumenized ones. Others have asserted, but without giving serial numbers, that EKCo initially applied soft coatings to inner surfaces, later applied hard coatings to all surfaces; this is possible but without solid examples I don't believe it. From all this I conclude, possibly wrongly, that EKCo started coating lenses for civilian applications some time in 1946. Not on January 1st and before December 31st.

Interesting that you fitted Pacemaker bed stops to a Mini. If the RF is going to be used, one set of bed stops for the lens the RF is set up for is essential.

Otherwise, I'm not sure. This because I use more focal lengths on my 2x3 Graphics than it is practical to mount stops for. Since I focus on the GG and don't use the RF at all, I use a piece of metal shaped like an inverted top had that fits the rails nicely as a sort of moveable stop to square up the front standard ...

I suppose Minis qualify as antiques, but they don't seem that rare. Every time I go looking for 2x3 Speeds on eBay I find more Minis than Pacemakers.

I have a 65/8 Ilex that's very much like a Super Angulon. It focuses at infinity on my 2x3 Pacemaker Speed's inner rails, i.e., behind the hinge and inside the box.

Cheers,

Dan