Graflex.org

[Yaquina143]

I picked up this one for the collection a week or so ago but it has a back on it that I don't recognize. It doesn't look custom done, in fact, judging by the wear on the body, etc, I would say that it was likely set up like this when new.

I have had many many SG's, but I have never seen or read about a back like this before.

The film slides that came with it are sloted along the top and bottom edge so that the capture bar will hold them in place, just as it does the focus glass back. The film holders were clearly manufactured with the slot, not modified.

The serial number on the camera body is 325908.

The furniture as you can see is blackened, which usually places the camera in the late 30's to mid 40's.

Anyone know if this is a different model of SG?

http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg001.JPG
http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg002.JPG
http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg003.JPG
http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg004.JPG
http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg005.JPG
http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg006.JPG
http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg007.JPG
http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg008.JPG
http://www.yaquinaphotography.com/sg009.JPG

[Les]

Looks like a standard issue Graflex back, rather than the more common Graphic back.

Yes it is confusing, but here's a history soundbite. The SLR type cameras (Series B,C,D, RB Auto, etc) are called Graflex cameras and with very few exceptions, used a special back with slotted holders.

The Graphic line of cameras (Speed, Crown, RB cycle Graphic, etc) all had what we would call a 'normal' or Graphic back, and used Graphic holders.

Pretty soon photographers had one of each and were frustrated that they needed to stock separate holders for each camera.... so the Graflex back started showing up on the Speed Graphic.

As long as you have the slotted film holders, it will work very well for you, particularly as a rangefinder camera. But not so well as a view camera as the switching out of the ground glass will become tiresome very quickly.

Why the Graflex back on a military camera? No idea. Some say the Navy preferred it, I can't prove it and the Navy wasn't one to tag every thing like the Signal Corps. Another example of military intelligence? Possibly. But it is absolutely original.
_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

[Yaquina143]

Is this a rare configuration?

I have collected a lot of SG through the years, especially military issues, but this is the first one I have ever seen.

[pv17vv]

There is another one offered on the Bay now.
#360302399949

[Les]

Rare is such a relative word. The Graflex back was available on the Speed from 1916 until 1962, and it certainly is easier to find a Graflex back on a Top handle or Pre-Ann than say an Anny, and are quite scarce on Pacemakers particularly once the Graflok back came out.

They certainly are uncommon, but they show up at least 3 or 4 times a year on ebay.
_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

[pv17vv]

Les, I wonder, who still bought a Graflex back in 1962 ???

[Sirius Glass]

[bertsaunders]

THIS IS A NORMAL GRAFLEX BACK, WITH AN OLD STYLE ACCESSORY ATTACHED...THE "ACCESSORY" WAS A GG BACK WITH A POP-UP HOOD AND CLOTH SIDE SHADES! MUCH LIKE THE MORE MODERN GRAFLOK POP-UP HOODS, AS THEY NEEDED SOMETHING TO PROTECT THE CURTAIN, AND OF COARSE PROVIDE A WAY TO FOCUS OTHER THAN A RF! VERY COMMON IN THE EARLY DAYS!
HAVE A NICE DAY.....BERT

[Les]

[bruiser]

Hi Yaquina143,

From reading through wartime military training manuals it seems the US Navy may have preferred the Graflex back on their Speed Graphics as that particular branch of the armed forces seemed to be a big user of the 4x5 Graflex SLR cameras. The film holders and film pack adapters were then interchangeable between the two types of cameras, impossible (as Les said) if the Speed Graphics were fitted with Graphic spring backs.

Cheers,
Bruce
http://graflex.coffsbiz.com