TEST ROLL ep7 The Speed Graphic: 4x5 vs. 2x3?

[@ACOGJESUSSCOPES]

Love to see how the pros do it with the Graflex. Got a really great 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Speed Graphic a week ago. Got the case cleaned up and the flash wiring replaced and tested it tonight and it works great. Got the lens and shutter serviced. Now I’m just waiting for film to come so I can get shooting. This was a camera I bought from the granddaughter of the original owner, she said she is 55 and have never seen it used, I’m glad I’m giving it a second life and hopefully soon this one will be back doing what it was made to do. Thanks for the great video!

[@jamesmoore9511]

Wow! Somebody that knows not only what the camera is but how to use it. Great I'm rather tired of seeing people that have never used one let along know anything about film photography. Keep up the good work guys. I've been shooting for 60+ years, don't forget Busch Precision Cameras ("the American Linhof")

[@patrickrostker6693]

Love it! 4x5 is so on my list to at least try! Gotta say I love the simplicity of cameras that don't get in the way of creating images. Lovely video, well done gentlemen! ❤🎉

[@creepyloner1979]

for oval wheels you want the narrowest shutter curtain slit at the lowest spring tension setting (or with the speed governor engaged on a pacemaker).

[@larsbunch]

Thanks. I'll try it again some time and maybe I'll get it right. Stranger things could happen.😁

[@peterbromaghin7621]

Just this spring the Graflex 23 roll film served as great "training wheels" to get familiar with the Speed Graphic I bought last winter. Taking baby steps into 4x5.

[@mwdaniel4]

Hey Martin, How's things? Love the video and the old camera.

[@martinkauper4991]

Hi Matt! Thanks for the kind words! I'm sure it's no surprise to you that I like to do things the hard way. Be well my friend!

[@michaelcase8574]

One advantage of the crown over the speed, is that you can use a wider angle lens on the crown. Just slightly, however.

[@flyingo]

Thanks! I’m right there with you guys.. I have quite a few Speed and Crown Graphics in 2x3, 3x4 and 4x5. One of my favorite cameras of this style is a Burke & James 3.25x4.25. I really enjoy fixing these old beauties and watching young photographers marvel at the brilliance of their design. Question: Do you develop your own film, or use a lab? I just subscribed to your channel and will be watching your content closely!

[@martinkauper4991]

Well thanks!! We've been developing our own stuff with the idea that if we screw up, we might get another show out of it. - Martin

[@andyvan5692]

one other thing, these are rare!, in part due to the use of the flashguns as 'lightsabres' in the star wars franchise, so most have been 'mutilated' into that, so not many survive, intact, if at all.

[@stephenrichie4646]

I still own one of my Speed Graphics from back in the day. Built in 1950 or 51. It has pride of place on a tripod in the corner of my office. Front shutter still sounds good. FP shutter, too. That’s the camera I used in high school for yearbook pics, and trained with in U S Army photo school in 1956. Earned my living with them til about 1965, when roll color film took over. Workhorse gear.

[@RonnyB2008]

Great episode ! I probably missed it being mentioned, but what film was being shot in the 4x5? Thanks Also, are the egg-shaped wheels supposed to happen while panning or not-panning? If panning, was it with the direction of the movement of the focal plane shutter ... or against that shutter's movement ?? (of course the image is inverted in the camera, so this could get confusing ...)

[@jamesmoore9511]

Try another one here - I use a Mamiya 70mm back on my 23 Century with Agfa aerial film off E-bay.

[@vincentborgese6341]

I just inherited a mini speed graphic. Any tips on where to get the 2.25x3.25 film for it?

[@martinkauper4991]

I've found some on ebay, although it's not the best place to buy film. If you can wait, Ilford offers that size in their yearly large format films special order. This usually happens in July and if you go through Freestyle or B&H it will usually deliver some time around the end of the year. While you can cut down large sheet film in a dark room, I don't recommend it as it's a good way to lose one or two fingers and you'll get dust and blood on the film. Good luck and thanks for looking at the video.

[@lukeholland7971]

Hi Guys, I've got a minature spring back. How is it converted to a Graflok back to accommodate the RB67? is there a kit? been trawling the internet and can not find an answer. thanks

[@larsbunch]

I don't know of modern conversions. My miniature speed graphic was converted probably in the 40s or 50s. You might be able to find some new-old stock parts or find a "for parts" camera that has the miniature grafloc back. I also have a Graflex XL with the same miniature grafloc back which can take RB67 film magazines. These were standard on the XL cameras.

[@MezeiEugen]

What nobody mentions, how heavy these are. The so inclined buyer thinks reporter camera = light. Not the case! No wonder the Rolleiflex was such a success. Btw, between the 4x5" and 2x3" was also a 3,25x4,25". I have that. Already heavy, I dont want to know how heavy the 4x5" is. Let me mention, I like heavy cameras. But the heaviness is nothing for me in the Graflex. Perpaps it is more cause of bad balance.

[@larsbunch]

I suppose at the time that these cameras were popular, they didn't feel heavy as the alternatives were quite a bit heavier. The one that surprises me is that the Linhof Technikas are supposed to be handholdable. Those have to weigh at least twice what the Speed Graphic weighs.

[@mudcud]

You guys think that you can put a digital back on it

[@larsbunch]

Fotodiox makes adapters where you can mount a conventional mirrorless camera onto a grafloc mount and then take multiple shots at different positions that can later be stitched together into a larger image. I suspect if you look around you could find an adapter to mount a medium format digital back to the thing as well.

[@allyson2527]

😘 Promo*SM