Graflex.org

134k · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:06 am Post subject: Very Basic setup from a beginner

I apologize for asking this question. However after a week or so searching google, the forum and the user manual...I still need help in regards to my camera. Background: I purchased a 2 1/4x 3 1/4 Pacemaker with a "23" Graflex rollback. It also has the Kalart side mounted rangefinder and has had a Copal 0 shutter with a 105mm Voigtlander lens installed by the PO. The lady who I bought it from has no idea how to use the camera (it was her husbands)..which goes the same for me. I'm assuming that that the PO has had the infinity stops set correctly with this lens (I will be doing a rangefinder alignment check tomorrow), But the camera is fine working shape. So on with my questions:

1)With the current infinity stops, do I unlock and pull the front standard up to these once after I open the camera door? (I was not sure if the front standard goes in "front" of the infinity stops, or behind them [if you are looking down at the camera from on top]. The manual looks like I pull the front standard up the already locked infinity stops, and lock it. Which brings up question 2

2)Do I re-lock the front standard lock once the front standard comes up against the infinity stops, or do focus to something at infinity first using the focusing knobs, and then lock ? [which brings me to a question...how can I focus to something with it unlocked? It wouldn't make sense as the bellows/front standard will just slide up/down the track]

3)If I am confusing anyone, which I probably am. Can someone please give me a step by step procedure from opening of the camera to ready to shoot for this camera? Just to make sure that I am sane and using this camera correctly.

Again sorry for my questions, although from reading past help from forum members, everyone here is treated rather nicely, and I truly respect that. Thank you greatly.

alecj · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 853 Location: Alabama

1. Yes, you move the lens standard up behind [between the stop and the back of the camera] the stops.

2. So far your logic is good. Lock the lens standard once it is moved up behind the stops.

3) Now that's a bit basic, don't you think? Different folks do the tasks in their own order. Using your logic, just remember before you shoot, the lens cap must be off, the darkslide removed, the lens focused on the subject, and the scene aligned in the viewfinder. That does not go into flash, or anything else. Keep reading your manual which should cover all this.

Don't apologize for asking questions about things you've unfamiliar with or want confirmation of. We're all anxious to help you understand and use your camera successfully. Good luck.

Henry · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:04 pm Post subject:

Another area of confusion is likely to be the rollfilm holder, i.e., how to load it with film. If you are at that stage, post another message and we'll go through the procedure.

Fortunately, there are still lots of emulsions, b/w and color pos. and neg., available in 120 film, although depending on where you live you may not be able to find it locally. A number of store sites (Adorama, B&H Photo, etc.) stock 120 at good prices for mail order. IMO using 120 film is one of the great joys of Graphic ownership.

wlewisiii · Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 55 Location: Madison, Wisconsin

All I want to do at this point is encourage you to keep at it. I have a nice 2x3 Speed Graphic as well with a CZJ 3,5/10.5 Tessar in Compur Rapid. The Kalart rangefinder is adjusted to the lens and I shoot 120 roll film exclusively with a RH10 back. All that remains is to get the focal plane shutter working again

for barrel lenses.

It's a very enjoyable means of shooting and, in many ways, can offer the best of both medium and large format shooting. There are some movements and the ground glass for critical focusing on the tripod and the ability to handhold and go walkabout with it.

Good luck and enjoy!

William
_________________
4x5 and a Tessar is heaven
"I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies..." Green Day

134k · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:07 pm Post subject:

Thank you all very much for your help. My "stupid" question was finally laid to rest. I think after reading the rollfilm holder manual (online), I think I maybe able to do this without too much trouble as well. Though, I will probably have more questions about everything else as time progresses!

bertsaunders

wlewisii,
Email me for instructions on curtain tension at
bsaunders1@bak.rr.com
Have a nice day....Bert

Discpad

Don't apologize!

Look, the only dumb question is the one not asked!

We're all glad you joined the Large Format club, even if with just roll film, so shoot away!

HINT: If you shoot 120 color print film, take it to Wal-Mart and slip each roll into a green & red envelope and mark on it 3 inch prints... In 2-3 days, you'll get back 3x3 prints and pay $1.76!

If you're outdoors, Fuji Reala 100 gives reasonably good color: UIse the Sunny 16 rule (1/100 second @ f/16 for sun, f/11 for light overcast, f/8 for shade), and the latitude of C-41 color print will work just fine.

If you're indoors, Fuji Pro 800Z will easily carry you over the finish line at f/5.6 & 1/60 without a flash for brightly lit indoor scenes.

wlewisiii · Joined: 20 Jan 2005 Posts: 55 Location: Madison, Wisconsin

[quote="Discpad"]

HINT: If you shoot 120 color print film, take it to Wal-Mart and slip each roll into a green & red envelope and mark on it 3 inch prints... In 2-3 days, you'll get back 3x3 prints and pay $1.76!

[quote]

Since you say 3x3, do they only do the square or would I be able to get my 6x7 films processed for that price as well? I shoot a fair bit of Reala so...

Thanks,

William
_________________
4x5 and a Tessar is heaven
"I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies..." Green Day

Discpad

Of course they'll (Fuji's outlab service, which Wal-Mart uses) process & print 6x45, 6x7 & 6x9 through their Frontier with a 3 inch roll of paper. When I give them 6x45, I get back 3x4 inch prints. 6x9 should give you 3x4.5 inch; while 6x7 should get you back 3x3.5 inch

Of course, you can specify 4" width for the roll paper used, for slightly more money. -- I believe it was $4.89 for double 6x45 prints (16 frames roll for 32, 4x5.3 inch prints).

I always order glossy for 120 & 220 film, so I can easily scan the prints on my flatbed scanner. (My Sony UY-S90 minilab film scanner only handles 35mm & APS).

Just for sh!t & giggles, I'm going to throw a sheet of 4x5 color neg film at them... It'll be a test shot; but I want to see if they choke on it. They probably will, because there is no film gate for the Frontier. OTOH, Kodak's HR-500 scanners can handle 4x5 negs & chromes...

Hope this helps!

134k · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject:

Discpad..quite ironically, I got back into shooting 120 because of the Walmart processing! How funny is that? I just hope that this service doesn't get done away with, though I suspect it wont, as long as 120 film is made available.

Discpad · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:09 pm Post subject:

Actually, Wal-Mart's out-lab processing is done by Fuji itself. Here in the NYC metro area, it's done at the Albany NY lab.

I know for a fact that if you drop a roll of Kodachrome into a Wal-Mart out-lab it goes to Dwayne's (duhhh!). But, from what I understand, E-6 now also goes to Dwayne's; but PE would have to confirm it.

rmbroome · Joined: 10 May 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Memphis TN.

I am glad that your Wal Mart does 120 film The ones here do not. I bring mine to a lab. I have two that does the 120 and the one that does the 4x5 for me. I tried to load the 120 fast and put one in like I was loading my TLR lost that one.

134k · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 11:23 pm Post subject:

Actually Walmart sends 120 away. The employees won't know what you're talking about, but if you call the 1-800 number on the drop off envelope at the Photo Dept, they'll tell you that they can process and develop 120 film...just that it takes up to 2 weeks for turnaround. You simply write directions under the comments section and voila, in two weeks you have 120 developed.

134k · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:49 pm Post subject:

What a bummer, my last roll of 120 was returned to me yesterday at Walmart. It looks as if Fuji Color Lab no longer does 120, or at least according to the customer service rep I spoke with (800-433-7929). What a disappointing thing to find out.

Henry · Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:12 am Post subject:

Don't despair. In a big urban area like SF, you'll have no trouble locating a lab/photo store that can handle 120. The chemistry for color negative (C-41) and color positive ("slides," transparency film, E-6) is the same as for corresponding 35mm films. Check the phone book, call around for best price. What's a good price? Where I live, the lab in the photo store I use does C-41 for $4/roll, E-6 for $4.99/roll, 120 film. That's development only; prints are extra, and of course the E-6 is unmounted. The film is returned in a long sleeve, uncut, or cut and inserted into PrintFile sleeved pages, acc. to my preferences. I usually ask for uncut, and I cut and sleeve myself.

I scan the film into Photoshop and print my own, so I never get prints from the lab. YRMV.

BTW, I find it hard to believe that a Fuji lab would not process Fujichrome, which of course is their very own brand, or any other variety of Fuji film, for that matter.

(Later edit: 'course you never said it was Fujichrome, my mistake!)