Graflex.org

[pmanzari]

I have an option to purchase a Mini Speed (circa 1940). Good condition with a Zeiss Tessar f4.5 105mm lens on a Compur shutter for $80.

This sounds like a good deal to me, especially with the Zeiss. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Dan Fromm]

Thoughts? Only one. If it hasn't been retrofitted with a Graflok back you won't be able to use Graflex roll holders and will be condemned to shooting sheet film (few emulsions) or using an Adapt-A-Roll 620 (despised).

It is possible to attach a Graflex roll holder semi-permanently, at the cost of not being able to focus on the ground glass. This will limit you to focusing with the RF, if the camera has one.

About AARs. I use 'em, prefer 'em to Graflex' own. Most of the world disagrees with me.

Good luck, have fun,

Dan

Afterthought. If you can check function before buying, do. Les Newcomer has made the point that pre-1947 (or so) shutter cloth is more prone to becoming brittle with age and to sticking to itself with age than modern (Pacemaker Graphics, Graflexes 1947 or so and later). Other things equal, you don't want to replace the shutter curtain.

[pmanzari]

Thanks.

I already have an Adapt-a-Roll and I actually enjoy shooting with sheet film. B&H photo sells it although it is a fairly limited selection.

I will mostly be using the front shutter so any problems with the focal plane shutter won't be a deal breaker.

[troublemaker]

Miniature Speeds are nice cameras. If it's in nice condition with a good bellows and rear shutter curtain etc, eighty bucks isn't out of line. Everything else can be serviced ussually.
As for the rear focal plane shutter... If it's working reasonably well, and or after cleaning and service, the rear shutter tends to be a lot more accurate than a front leaf shutter, esspecially at the faster speeds.
The pin rollers tend to get ginked up at the ends and inside and generally just need some fresh lube. The springs get lazy after fifty years, so I'll often not try to set the springs to get the curtain to pull down the way it would when new to allow for the time setting, but interestingly I still get really accurate speed readings from about 1/25 on up. Can't say that for old Supermatics and a lot of other leaf shutters where it's common to have faster speeds like 1/200 and 1/400 lagging a full stop or more. Just a thought regarding rear shutters. Don't count 'em out, they can be your friend.

[glennfromwy]

Go for it. You can also get B&W 2X3 sheet film from Freestyle Sales:

www.freestylephoto.biz
----and-----
www.digitaltruth.com

I made a jig to cut my own if I want color or slide film.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

[pmanzari]

Well I got the camera today . . . Focal plane shutter is A-OK. Bellows good, front shutter good, lens clean. I think it was a bargain.

Now all I need to do is figure out how to adjust a Hugo-Meyer rangefinder

[glennfromwy]

Hugo Meyer rangefinders are lens specific and there's little or no way to adjust the things that I'm aware of, sorry to say. I have a brand new one, in the box, that has no markings on it that indicate what it's matched to. Useless. Try to get yourself a Kalart rangefinder if you can. They're adjustable to many focal lengths. Does your focus scale match your lens? I shoot a lot using the hyperfocal distance for the lens at a given aperture. Makes it more of a point & shoot type thing. Works well for landscapes and street scenes.
_________________
Glenn

"Wyoming - Where everybody is somebody else's weirdo"

[45PSS]

Let's all go for a little site walk shall we,
www.graflex.org (the home page), open the Q&A link, explore the Graflex Speed Graphic FAQ, under Features do you see the Hugo Myer Range Finder link hidding at the bottom?, looking in it there is a here link (very weak imo) that takes you to the actual adjustment procedure.
Lots of other good stuff hidding on this site just like this one.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[pmanzari]

Found it. Now the HM is dead on accurate - It's a good thing.

Thanks all