Graflex.org

[gyron]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy my first Graflex setup and I'd like some advice to make sure I don't buy something that isn't right for me.

What I think I want is either a Speed Graphic or a Crown Graphic (with flash) that is both a good user camera as well as looks nice on my shelf I plan to use it for informal portraits, since most of my friends and family are sick of me pointing my SLRs at them all the time!

I don't really plan to use it for landscapes, and I'd like something that is not too slow to set up and use, and is practical for hand-holding. A working flash would be very handy as well.

My background is purely 35mm, mostly SLRs and some rangefinders. I'm in Australia so I'd most likely be looking to buy online either via eBay or an online dealer, so recommendations in this regard would also be welcome.

I've trawled through graflex.org (which is excellent, by the way) as well as various forum threads, and what I *think* would suit me is a Pacemaker Crown Graphic 4x5 with a Graflok back and a 120 film holder, and flash etc. Would this be the right way for me to go?

Thanks,
Victor.

[Dan Fromm]

Not a bad idea, but if you're going to shoot roll film no larger than 2x3 you might be better off with a Century. Smaller, lighter, usually less expensive than a 4x5 Crown; has an integral Graflok back, so will take roll holders for 6x6, 6x7, and 6x9. Sorry, 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 2 1/4 x 2 3/4, 2 1/4 x 3 1/4.

[glennfromwy]

I tend to agree. If you're not going to use sheet film, a large camera is not the best choice. That is, unless you are out to impress. The Century Graphic, for all practical purposes, looks pretty much the same as the larger 4X5 Crown Graphic but is lighter and easier to handle than even the 2X3 Crown. Put a 127/4.7 Ektar lens on it and you'll have an excellent portrait camera.
_________________
Glenn

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

[gyron]

Thanks for the tip, that's an option I hadn't considered. I will certainly look into it.

I imagine that most of the time I'd be using 120 film, so I don't need to be able to use sheet film, but then again sheet film may be more practical given that you don't need to shoot a whole roll before getting feedback (from what I've read).

Although saying that, I've never actually tried to develop anything larger than 35mm anyway!

[Henry]

As a very satisfied Century owner, I second Dan Fromm's suggestion in re: the Century w/rollfilm back. There are a couple or three on uBuy right now, in fact, although they may not end up being at the best price. Make sure that the camera has a folding focusing hood w/intact ground glass in case you move up to tripod shooting. I'd further recommend that you get one with the Kalart rangefinder, as this will make handheld shots so much easier to focus accurately (adjusting the Kalart for whatever lens you end up with is another matter), and I would further recommend that you look for a Century camera with the Century shutter/Graftar 103mm f/4.5 lens, as this shutter is self-cocking and is therefore much more convenient to use than a shutter (such as the Graphex) with separate cock-and-release levers (these are fine for tripod shots w/cable release, and can, of course, be used hand-held but not as handily as the self-cocking shutter). There really is no advantage to lugging around a bulky 4x5 camera if you're only shooting roll film in 2x3" (=6x9cm) or 6x7cm or 6x6cm formats, depending on which film back(s) you acquire. You'll certainly want to consider also your choice of exposure meter, although it's possible to guesstimate exposure times and f-stop settings (Kodak used to make a little pocket calculator which gave pretty reliable results; totally lo-tech and requiring no batteries, and you'd certainly learn something about camera basics---judging light levels, and the relationship between between exposure time and lens aperture). I wouldn't waste money on an optical finder, if the camera isn't already equipped with one, as I find these to be not as useable as the built-in so-called sports ("wire frame") finder. IMO, roll film is the way to go, as there are still many emulsions available in b/w and color in the 120 film size. As for flash, a good reliable electronic flash will synch with the Century shutter; I use a Vivitar 2800 with a Paramount synch cord (Vivitar to bi-post).

Sorry for throwing so much detail at you right off, but the more one thinks about it the more one seems to need. I think that's the fix that most of us find ourselves in! Good luck in your search, and let us know how things turn out.

[bruiser]

Adding to all the above info is the fact that 120 size roll film is still available at most of the larger photo retailers in Oz and colour processing (if not doing your own B&W work) is still around.

The Century Graphic is a very good way to go.

Cheers,
Bruce

[Discoman]

crown definitely, unless you want to try to deal with the rear shutter of the speed, which takes only a little getting used to.

[gyron]

Wow, lots of great information there.

I'm definitely going to start looking for a suitable Century, sounds like it would be an ideal "user" camera. Although I may end up also buying a nice Crown just because I think they look so great

Manual metering doesn't worry me, I'm already used to that. As to developing film, I'll probably get the 120 roll film developed locally, and if I do later on buy a 4x5 Crown, then I'll try to develop the sheet film myself.

Thanks, everyone. Now to start shopping...

[glennfromwy]

Just so you know, 2X3 sheet film holders and film are readily available if you want to go with the Century Graphic, though film is only available in a couple of B&W emulsions. Don't overlook the 2X3 Crown Graphic, either. The predecessor of the Century and possibly a bit cheaper to buy. If you buy a 2X3 Crown, be sure to get one with a Graflok back, so you can use roll film holders. The Century has that feature molded into the camera body.
_________________
Glenn

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

[gyron]

A very late follow-up to my original posting

I eventually found the right camera at the right place at the right time; I ended up buying a 4x5 Crown Graphic. I love it!

My first aim is now to buy some 4x5 film holders, and eventually also a flash and a roll-film back. I've downloaded a PDF manual, I'll be spending some time getting the hang of this thing.

Nowadays I'm comfortable developing both 35mm and 120 film at home, I'll soon be trying to develop sheet film too, now that I have the Crown Graphic.