Hmm... Graflex

[wlewisiii]

This looks dangerously interesting. Would this be a good model for someone with no previous experiance with large format?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15247&item=3865116178&rd=1

William

[FrankS]

Yes in deed William, it is! Up to $300 on a camera in this condition would be good.

(I have a 4x5 Speed Graphic which has a focal plane shutter in the body that allows me to use older lenses "in barrel" which means a lens without a shutter.)

[Todd.Hanz]

Looks pretty clean but may be a tad expensive. I have seen them go cheaper, like 75.00- 150.00, althogh the lens on this one is pretty nice.
4x5 negs will blow your mind and the Graflex is a inexpensive way to get started in large format.

Todd

[doubs43]

Even uncoated, the 127mm Ektar is an excellent lens. The Crown is one of the newer models but I haven't followed them enough to know what they usually bring.

Walker

[FrankS]

You must check out this site: graflex.org or is it: graphlex.org

[denishr]

Frank, it's graflex.org - and in the "Help" forum you'll find more info than you'll ever need :)

Denis

[Nick R.]

The Crown models don't have a focal plane shutter so they can only be used with shuttered lenses. I would say that this one is a little pricey for its condition.

[wlewisiii]

Makes sense.

What about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30099&item=3865349838&rd=1

William

[plexi]

Originally posted by wlewisiii
Makes sense.

What about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30099&item=3865349838&rd=1

William


Stay away! It`s 2x3, and you don`t want that....

[Stu :)]

Nothing wrong with 2x3... unless you can't find a 6x9 back for it first.

$200US does seem pricey for an old Graflex. Do you want a LF with a rangefinder or just an entry level 4x5 view/field camera?

Stu :)

[Pherdinand]

William, William... :) How big is big enough?

[oftheherd]

I really don't know much about these. I do however occasionally look at 4x5 prices and this seems just a bit high for its stated condition. There are advantages to a press camera over a rail or even field camera for field use.

Other thoughts: I don't know how well the plastic bodies hold up use or price wise. I think the holders are getting harder to get. It should be lighter than a 4x5, but that 4x5 neg will be a greater joy. And, after all, neither of these is intended to be a 35mm RF replacement for anything other than film size.

You can get 2 1/4 by 3 3/4 or so film, but I think you will find yourself limited as to the film types available. Before you spring for that film size, you should check to see what is available, and be sure that will satisfy your photographic desires.

[Nick R.]

Originally posted by wlewisiii
Makes sense.

What about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30099&item=3865349838&rd=1

William

I like the small format Graflex for roll film use. But that's roll film only. If you want to do sheet, get a 4x5.
This guys pictures are crummy. It looks like he has one roll film back. The sheet film backs are pretty much worthless unless you're gonna cut your own film. Forget about the poloroid back. So, essentially, you'd be buying one camera without a rangefinder and one roll film back. It's up to you.

Why is it that people selling camera on ebay take the worst pictures of the cameras they're selling?

[Pherdinand]

Maybe it's the other way around, Nick...they sell them because they take terrible pictures:)

[wlewisiii]

I was thinking mostly of roll film at this time - I can develope that but not sheet film at this point. From that perspective, the 2x3 with graflok back built in seemed like it might be a reasonable option.

The other thing is that this is more simple curiosity at this point - I really have a few other items with a higher priority; not the least of which is scrounging the money for an R2C... :D

Thanks all for your advice, I appreciate it.

William

[pshinkaw]

I have a 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 Speed Graphic as well as the 2 1/4X 3 1/4.

I recommend the 3X4 model only if you are collecting. Precut film is hard to find in 3X4, and for less trouble you can shoot the larger 4X5. 4X5 also can step-down to 2X3 with an adapter while 2X3 is not practical to try and step-up. If you are going to be enlarging, you will probably end up with a 4X5 enlarger anyway.

The FP shutter on the Speed Graphics is non-self-capping. It is basically a long, long piece of rubberized fabric with different speed/slits cut into it. You have to close the shutter between windings or make sure dark slide is inserted. Lots of things to remember to do.

I personally have more fun with the 2X3 Speed Graphic and Busch Pressman, but that's just a handling preference.

Back in the 60's I worked in a hospital medical illustration lab as a volunteer. We only shot black and white in 4X5 size. Any quality drop (based on visible grain) below that was considered unacceptable.

[Nick R.]

Originally posted by Pherdinand
Maybe it's the other way around, Nick...they sell them because they take terrible pictures:)

LOL

[oftheherd]

Originally posted by wlewisiii
I was thinking mostly of roll film at this time - I can develope that but not sheet film at this point. From that perspective, the 2x3 with graflok back built in seemed like it might be a reasonable option.

The other thing is that this is more simple curiosity at this point - I really have a few other items with a higher priority; not the least of which is scrounging the money for an R2C... :D

Thanks all for your advice, I appreciate it.

William

Calumet sells nice roll film adapters for the 4x5 to use 120/220. I got two off eb*y for around $60.00. Right after I mentioned that in this forum, I noticed a price spike to more than twice that.

Note to self: Be careful what you say on a forum where you don't know who is lurking. :bang: Should have known. Look what happened to Canonete cameras. :D

[Stu :)]

Just did quick search on 2x3 sheet film.
So far I've only found five types-
Ilford FP4+, HP5+ and Wephoto 25, 100 and 400.

On the flipside, heaps of 5x7 still being made.

Stu :)

[pshinkaw]

JandC has Efke and their own house brand in 2X3. They have a lot of metric sizes too.

http://www.jandcphotography.com/

Their film is European in origin, so you probably can get it cheaper from other sources than the US.

I learned sheet film developing in trays with bare hands, one sheet at a time, until I developed a skin allergy. After that I went to gloves. If you are not in a hurry and donl' shoot an entire box at one time, it works.

-Paul

[doubs43]

Originally posted by oftheherd
Note to self: Be careful what you say on a forum where you don't know who is lurking. :bang: Should have known. Look what happened to Canonete cameras. :D
A good habit to follow. I sometimes wonder if making others aware of an item on ebay isn't hurting someone else who took the time and made the effort to find it. It could cause a bidding frenzy and drive the price up when someone who didn't put the effort out to search for the item gets involved. OTOH, it may also make a buyer aware of something they've been looking for for a loooooong time. It's a sword that cuts both ways.

If it's something I want to bid on, I remain silent for obvious reasons. :)

Walker

[Brian Sweeney]

Sending a PM or EMail to an RFF member that is known to be looking for an item helps. Some are too good to pass up, and I have posted BIN's on good buys for General Interest stuff. But if I know someone is looking for a particular item, sending a PM is much more effective.