Now I don't know much about these cameras (tongue in cheek). But some of the
little bit I do know is on my Press Camera website here:
http://presscameras.graywolfphoto.com/index.html
What you have to look out for mostly is that the cameras look easy to work on, but
if you do not know what you are doing you can mess them up for use as a Press
Camera (they still will usually work Okay as a view camera), so a lot of them have
been screwdrivered to death. After that the WWII speeds in nice shape are being
snapped up by reenactors so the prices for clean ones are high, beat up ones remain
cheap however. There are also the all metal Super & Super Speed Graphics from
the 60's and later but they go for about 3x what the Pacemakers do.
Probably the best ones for use are the Pacemakers (1947 to 1970 or so). Speed
Graphics have the focal-plane shutter which are a nice addition if you are
using it for Press type work, but an aggravation when using it as a field
(view) camera so they are a bit cheaper nowadays even though they cost more
than the Crown originally (Crowns are only available in the Pacemaker range all
the older ones are Speeds). The pre WWII cameras are mostly collector items.
In the Pacemakers they changed the rangefinder from the side to the top in 1955 (sidemount range finder versions were still available into the 60's, but whether they were still being made as lost leaders, or just NOS, I do not know).
The choice on which rangefinder is the sidemount rangefinder or the later top
mount. The side mount RF is ruggeder, easier to adjust, but works with only one
lens (you have to transfer the distance from the distance scale for the normal
lens to one for the lens you are using manually). They also tend to have dim RF
mirrors, you can replace them (I actually got a sealed NOS RF assembly off of
eBay) if you are handy. The top mount RF which uses cams to adjust for
different lenses. They are harder to work on, and you probably will wind up
having to make you own cam for any lens that did not come with the camera
(check that the cam matchs the lens on the camera when you buy it). While I
personally prefer the side mound RF, top mount RF's also usually go for more
money.
All the Pacemakers were extremely rugged and other than ham handed abuse and screw
drivering they can usually be put into working condition fairly easily. All
Pacemakers except the very early 2x3's have the Graflok back which allows you to
change backs very easily. The earlier cameras usually have a spring back which only
take sheet film holders without tools. However since sheet film is the most fun,
and now that you can get all the sizes again (3-1/4x4-1/4 was discontinued my
mainstream film manufacturer decades ago. C&P Photo and others specialty film
dealers now stock it again).
graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
-----------------------------------
Frantisek wrote:
Sunday, June 5, 2005, 11:24:15 AM, Paul wrote:
PS> Thanks Markus. Speed Graphics can still be had for a song. They're a
PS> lot of fun.
PS> Paul
I would definitely love one! I saw on web some photojournalist
work done with a 'graphic on the 2004 US elections! Quite good
photographs (because good photographer, of course,...)
One would be nice to get, definitely...
What are the major faults to look for in the older models? I must
admit I got pretty confused by all of the models on the
www.graflex.org
What would be the best cheapest one to get for PJ-style & event work? Speed
or Crown?
When I don't need to ftp the photos right away ;-)
I would like to get one either this or the next year, if they keep to
be cheap...
Thanks
Frantisek
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