Graflex.org

[Tarnsman]

Hello, I bought a great condition Speed Graphic with a spring back and Zeiss 135 lens..I measured the film holders and it is a 4x5....At this point I have some questions....I have all ready researched this great site without success.....The serial number is 263786...What model & year do I have ?........What is the exact name of the attachmnet I need to use 120 roll backs on it?.....What book(s) can I get to show me how to use it?.....What kind of quality is the Zeiss lens ?....Thank you all for all advice !!......M

[Jack5541]

Hi....

Congrats on your "new" purchase. We can defer to Gandalf who can date the camera for you, based on the serial# you gave. As far as the model, have a look at the "Camera Model" section which you can get to from the main Graflex.Org home page. You can look at photos of the various models and compare them to what you have.

As for the attachment for using 120 roll film backs, you said you have a spring back. Unless I'm mistaken (and if I am someone will jump up & correct me) for a spring back you would need to get one of the Calumet-style 120/220 roll film holders which can slip under the ground glass. This is because the ground glass panel and springs are more or less permanently secured to the back of the camera by screws. The Calumet roll backs kinda resemble the Polaroid instant 4x5 sheet film holders, but they are a bit thicker. Also, be aware that the usual Graphic "22" and "23" and "RH" series of roll holders are too bulky to fit under the GG panel like a regular film holder.

You could also replace the spring back entirely with a Graflok back if you were lucky enough to find one in good condition, but this is not an option I think I would pursue, for the fact that it significantly alters the camera and its value. After doing so, you might also would have to recalibrate the rangefinder.

As for books, once you ascertain the year and model of camera, check with John Craig at http://www.craigcamera.com/ in Connecticut John can provide you with a copy of the manual for whatever camera you have. You should also be on the lookout for a 10th edition (circa 1953)of "Graphic Graflex Photography" which is the so-called "master book" for Graflex cameras and it contains many great essays, written by photographers and experts of that era.

[ This Message was edited by: Jack5541 on 2004-10-16 08:38 ]

[t.r.sanford]

I replaced the spring back on an early "Pacemaker Speed" with a "Graflok" back some three decades ago, and I did not need to readjust the rangefinder. I think Graflex expected people to make this upgrade, and designed the "Graflok" back with the same spacing as its predecessor "Graphic" back.

If I'm buying, I regard a "Graflok" back as enhancing the value of the camera. I suspect that users will agree with me, while collectors might not.

A search through these posts will turn up a lot of information on adapting a 4x5 "Graphic" back to accept the rollfilm adapters made for "Graflok" backs. The basic idea is to remove the focusing panel and its springs, and bolt some sort of adapter to the top and bottom rails, using the fasteners that normally secure the springs to the rails. This adapter will consist of two lips or flanges that secure the RF adapter between the rails.