Graflex.org

[wperkins]

I recently bought a Speed Graphics camera, serial Number 987363. Can someone please tell me the year of manufacture?

Also, can I use an Ektar 152mm lens on this camera? The camera came with an Optar 135mm. The Ektar in question is already on a lens board. It fits, except for that "do-hickey" attached to the lens board (syncro?) that doesn't line up quite right with the shutter release linkage when I attempt to mount the lens board/lens onto this camera.

And finally, I have a Metz handle-mounted electronic flash that I use with an old Hasselblad camera. Have these flashes been adapted for use with the Speed Graphic?

[Dan Fromm]

You can use a 152 Ektar on y'r Graphic. If the infinity stops are set up for the 135 Optar that's on it, you'll have to set them for the 152.

If the shutter's release lever doesn't line up with the shutter release paddle, try (a) to adjust the paddle and (b) to rotate the lens as needed on the board. To rotate the lens, loosen the shutter's retaining ring, turn, tighten the retaining ring.

Which RF does y'r Speed have? Top or side (Kalart, most likely). If top, you'll need the right cam for the 152. If side, you'll have to adjust it for the 152. Or you can focus on the ground glass and not use the RF.

Sorry, I don't know if there are clamps to attach a Metz potato-masher to the side of a Graphic. But depending on the shutter, you'll need at most a bipost-to-PC cable to connect the shutter to the flash.

[1banjo]

hey wperkins

as far as I can find it's a 1963 the year of manufacture
the last speeds were made in 1963 & this can be found @
graflex.org/graflex-products-list.html
look for a 45 Pacemaker speed graphic 1947 to 1963
the last S # I can find is 964799 as a 1962
I don't know of any handle-mounted made to work on Metz
the graflex mounts are 1 1/2" (38mm) I thank a Metz is more
like 45mm (just over 1 3/4")
banjo

[45PSS]

I believe the http://graflex.org/graflex-products-list.html to have a typo for the ending date of the Pacemaker Speed and that http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/graphic-models.html is more accurate.

The camera is new enough to have a date code ink stamped on the bottom of the front most crossmember of the yoke (rails), if so check it here:
http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=3321&highlight=date+code

I use a Metz 45CT4 on my Super Speed via the tripod socket and the Metz bracket, the same should work for the Pace Speed. The Graflite clamps are smaller and will not fit the Metz.

There are three paddles listed in the parts catalog for the three different sizes of Graphic shutters, they are hard to find.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[1banjo]

hey 45PSS
I was all so going by The "not the serial number book list but" list of Graflex serial numbers.

in witch I don't see any after #964799 – pacemaker speed – 1962 .

And I do see that we have a disagreement in our documents here !
so I don't know which to go by now

banjo

[wperkins]

It seems that the date would be between 1947 and 1955, since my Kalart RF is located on the right side of the camera. Everything seems to work. I have made a couple of exposures using a Polaroid back and the between-the-lens shutter. The focal plane shutter moves through its paces without a hitch.

I was able to locate a connector cord that should allow me to use the Mecablitiz 45 CL-1 flash. I had to custom-build by identifying the connectors on each end and the length of the cord in between (Paramount website). This handle-mount Metz flash uses a flat connecting rod that attaches to the camera body at the tripod attachment point, and the flash sits on the left-hand side. I will be happy to pay $50 for the connecting cord if it works.

[45PSS]

If you have the factory Metz cord that attaches to a PC socket then you can get a PC to BiPost cord at any pro camera store for around $15 to $20 depending on the length. I use adapter cords and adapt to the Metz supplied PC sync cord without problems.

The flat connecting bar that attaches the flash to the camera body will separate at the flash by loosening the screw on the bottom by the clamp and pushing the lock button in and holding while pulling the bar out from the flash. Once the bar is removed it can be placed in the vertical slot for compact storage. With the connecting bar removed there is a screw that holds the clamp to the flash handle. Loosening or removing this screw allows the clamp to be removed and turned 180 degrees and reinstalled for right hand usage.

The serial number you posted is from the mid 1960's . This leaves two possibilities:
1. Someone has switched the bed from a newer camera to an older body. If such a switch was made and the newer rails used the date code would be present. If the original older rails were used then there is no dating the body.
2. This was a special order custom build which would have the date code on the rails.

The date code ink fades and wipes off easily with cleaners and may be hard to see unless the light is at a angle to the crossmember.
_________________
The best camera ever made is the one that YOU enjoy using and produces the image quality that satifies YOU.

[tsgrimm]

Getting hard to find a pro camera store these days. If you don't have one close by, Paramount makes the adapter needed.

http://www.paramountcords.com/graflex.asp