Graflex.org

[moni]

Hello,

I have the chance to buy a super speed graphic with ectar but without battery plate and a speed graphic with optar and range finder.

Both have graflok back and are in best condition. What is the better camera?

Thank you

[Jim23]

Advantage of the Super Graphic:
Electric Shutter Trip (if it's working.... purchase the batteries and test). Someone is making reproduction battery doors. To test (without having a battery door), insert the batteries, and place jumper wire between the ends of the batteries + on one to - on the other and remember to observe polarity when inserting the batteries. If you are electonics-savvy, you can connect five 9v cells in series and using alligator clip leads, provide 45v (2x22.5v) to the +/- terminals inside the camera body to test first without purchasing the expensive batteries and repro. door.

Super has revolving back.

Super is all-metal. No wood screws.

Super takes PressLok tripod coupling (good luck finding one, and if you find two let me know).

Takes later Pacemaker lensboards (w/o electic trip).

Interchangeable RF cams for interchangeable lenses.

Disadvantage of the Super Graphic:

Electric trip (if it is not working), or simply use cable release directly to shutter.
RF - if it is out of whack, only one person I know can repair it - Fred Lustig.
If it is Super Speed Graphic w/1000 sec. leaf shutter - these have pitfalls.
RF - Metal tape that links focusing track to RF can get permanent "bend" from storing camera closed. Store camera in open position.


Advantage of Pacemaker Graphic:

Front/back sections of focusing track linked.
Comes with tubular viewfinder (was optional on Super Graphic).
Purely mechanical shutter trip (caution to check to make sure internal cable release is functional).
If top RF - takes interchangeable cams.
If side RF - Kalart RF is simpler to maintain (see instr. on this site).
Speed Graphic model has 1/1000 sec. FP shutter also.
Crown Graphic (w/o FP) is lighter to carry than Super Graphic.
Easy to find "parts cameras"

Disadvantages:
If top RF - same problems as Super Graphic; however, more accessable for repairs. "Ball and spacer tube" require proper maintenance.
If side RF - RF must be calibrated for each lens, usually normal lens.
No revolving back.
Camera has wooden body under the vinyl covering (wood screws hold many parts secure).

[Les]

Ooh tough choice.... If this is your first graphic camera, then I'd nod towards the Super Graphic as long as it doesn't have the 1000 rodenstock shutter.

It has the benefit of the rotating back which is nice if your doing portraits or shooting tall trees. It won't do real well with wide angle lenses beyond a 90mm as the lens will want to be inside the body and there's no good way of focusing it other than tugging on the front standard.

The speed Graphic's body is thick/deep enough to limit wide angle lenses to about 80mm. I'm not sure a 75mm lens will focus to infinity.

With long lenses the Speed Graphic might have an advantage if you want to use slower (dimmer) process lenses. These usually show up with out a shutter, sell cheap, and are very very sharp. You'll need the Speed Graphic's focal plane shutter for these lenses.

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"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

[RichS]

Just to toss out a spare monkey wrench...
I use a 65mm f/8 Super Angulon on my SRF Speed and focus to infinity with no problems. I even like the dark corners Never tried the 75 since the 65 had no chance of working on the GVII, so the 75 went into a recessed board for the View...
And since I mentioned a side rangfinder, that's my choice. SRF Pacemaker Speed. May not be "one of the above", but I like it much better than the top mounted model. Can't speak for a Super, but still have hopes


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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"
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