Graflex.org

[blix]

I just won an auction for a Crown on Ebay.
Take a look at it, it`s item 2981943076
And if you can tell me what it is, what kind of film holder it has etc... , I would be happy, I have no experience with these cameras yet... Any info you can get out of the auction is appreciated.

Thanks


_________________
Amund

[primus96]

Well itlooks like you have got yourself a nice outfit.
I hope you can find a 3 cell battery holder for the flash.
The camera should be dated between 1947 and 1955 because it has the side mounted rangefinder.

I would reccomend getting a manual for this camera. Search 'Graflex' on ebay. Theres a guy doing the manuals on CD.
I have a 'Crown myself and this camera should have the Supermatic (X) marking on the shutter.
The main leaf shutter has X sync for electronic flash on my 'Crown so I can get a adapter cord from Paramount.
The solenoid on the lens board is for use with the bulb flashgun.

The film pack adapter is no use.
You have some film holders so get some film and enjoy yourself.

[Micah in NC]

Amund,

Hi. Welcome to the "club!"

Your new Crown Graphic (Pacemaker Crown Graphic) was made between 1947 and 1954 (in '55 the rangefinder moved atop the camera, not on the side).

I hate to tell you this, but the kit appears to be missing the battery holder (battery case/grip) which is often spirited away to become a fake movie prop from a popular science fiction movie of the 1970s.

I hope the battery case is in the box--you might want to ask the seller if he overlooked it in describing the kit. Or, look in his other auctions and see if he has listed it seperately, thus appealing to the mmovie fan crowd, mentioned above. Such things have probably happened before.

Anyway, there is a page here on the Graflex.org site that offers more details on your camera, and shows what the battery case should look like:
http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/pacemaker-crown-graphic.html

The Ektar lens is of legendary high-quality glass, made by Kodak. This camera does NOT have a rear shutter--no focal plane shutter, as the Speed Graphics do--so the shutter must be built-in with the lens. But you're okay on that point because your Ektar is mounted in a Supermatic (X) shutter--that is, assuming your Ektar's Supermatic shutter is working!

You don't really have to worry with the flash bulbs because your shutter is a Supermatic (X) shutter, the "X" meaning X-synchronization, for electronic flash. All you need is your favorite electronic flash, a bracket, and a bi-post to PC cord (that's Pronto-Compur cord, not Personal Computer!), and you'll be flashing in no time!!!

The film holders are Fidelity cut film holders. These hold two sheets of film each, one sheet per side. (They must be loaded with sheet film in the dark.) They have a dark slide on each side to keep out light. To use them, you focus the camera (using either rangefinder or ground glass at camera back), make sure the shutter is then closed and set for the correct shutter speed and aperture for subject light conditions, and that the shutter is cocked. Then, insert the film holder into the back of the camera and pull out the frontmost dark slide (the one closer to the front of the camera), thus readying the film for exposure from the shutter. Press the shutter release to take your picture. Replace the dark slide. That's it; you've just taken your first picture with a Graflex! Then, for a second picture, pull the film holder out of the camera back, flip it over, re-insert in camera back, and pull the dark slide--again, frontmost dark slide.

The other film holder, the Film Pack Adaptor, is rather useless, I've learned, as primus96 said above. Film packs (a 16-sheet pack of film) have not been manufactured in many years, rendering all the film pack adaptors into old photographic curiosities and that's about all.

(I'm a newbie here still, so maybe the more seasoned Graflexers can chime in on this...)

--Micah in NC

[ This Message was edited by: Micah in NC on 2004-02-01 23:10 ]

[blix]

Wow, thanks a lot for your help, everybody!
According to the seller the shutter works at all speeds and it has the x-sync.
It will probably be shipped without the flasbulds, as they are likely to be crushed in shipping to Norway.... I hadn`t planned on using them anyway,so maybe if anyone is interested, I could get you in touch with the seller if you want the bulbs(and the case too probably)

Here`s a couple of questions:
Do I need a special film back with ground
glass?
I found that I can use Polaroids with a 545 back,are the "quickload" 4x5 films meant for this back?
Polaroids would be great for learning at first I guess....
Thanks again, and I`m sure I`ll need more help when it arrives next week


_________________
Amund

[ This Message was edited by: blix on 2004-02-02 09:54 ]

[ This Message was edited by: blix on 2004-02-02 10:38 ]

[primus96]

The trick is remembering that sequence of operation in the heat of the moment.
get the vendor to send the flashbulbs in a seperate package.
Even if you don't want the flash bits they are bound to be of interest to someone here.

As Graflex Sid and others know the 'Graphic will make folks think you are a professional or at the least you know what you are doing.
It still commands respect, even in the digital age. They are very effective too, I was photographing a memorial ceremony for fishermen lost at sea this Sunday and I had people stepping OUT of my way.
I managed to hand-hold the beast at 125th/sec so you should be able to do likewise if the body release is smooth.