Posted by Les on April 09, 2001 at 08:38:04:
In Reply to: Graflex Terminology posted by Usuff Omar on April 09, 2001 at 05:28:56:
The only standard we have as far as terminology is concerned is what the company used. People that don't know what the company used make up their own and that too has to be considered.
Graflexes are normally the large boxy cameras with a mirror in them--The Super D, RB series B and the Auto Graflex.
Graphics are the cameras were refer to a press cameras with a rangefinder on the side, like the Century and the Crown.
The Century Graphic is a well built camera but was made to sell below the 2x3 Pacemaker Crown. The Pacemaker Series of cameras were still made of mahogany covered in leather, the Century is "Mahoganite"--a company term for plastic.
Yes modern lenses will out perform lenses of 50 years ago, but with an old lens in excellent condition, the differences on an 8x10 from 6cmx7cm negative will not be great. Also note that at least in the begining, the Century was a low cost entry into the Graphic world, so they didn't normally come with top of the line lenses--The Proffessional Century is the exception.
If your intent is to shoot roll film and blow it up to 20x30 then the modern lenses will shine brightly.
In 1947, Graflex retired the Anniversary line and came out the the Pacemaker series of Graphic cameras in three sizes 2x3, 3x4, and 4x5. The Crown was the non focal plane alternative to the Speed Graphic, so it should be called a Crown Graphic, not a Crown Graflex.
The Company never referred to any of their cameras as a 'Baby Speed' but did market a Minature Speed Graphic from 1938 to 1947. Many people, particulalry those that know of the Baby Rollei refer to the 2x3 Graphics as a Baby Speed.