Graflex XLSW

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

Ok, I know it doesn't have a rangefinder...but this is the closes place I can find to discuss it.

Anyone with any experience with this camera? I'm considering buying one.

raid · 06-01-2007

Steve: I have such a camera and I love it. Make sure you get a good lens though. I have read that the newer design 47mm/5.6 is much better than the older 47mm/8.0. The 8.0 lens reportedly seems to have good and bad examples of it. I have a very sharp 47mm/8.0 lens, by the way.

How much are you planning to pay?

Raid

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

The camera comes with a f8 version of the 47mm. I have no idea how I would be able to tell if it is a good one or not, short of buying and shooting.

The camera is listed at $550 for BIN.

Bryce · 06-01-2007

I've got a Brooks Veriwide XL, which is the same lens, a similar body (made by (Graflex even), and a funky 6x9 back made by Mamiya.
Mine works beautifully and the lens is quite sharp. Light falloff near the corners is quite significant, though so using slide film is tricky at best.
I'm a happy customer.

JasonC · 06-01-2007

Check the age of the lens via the serial number. Lenses made in the 60s and on have better quality control.

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryce

I've got a Brooks Veriwide XL, which is the same lens, a similar body (made by (Graflex even), and a funky 6x9 back made by Mamiya.
Mine works beautifully and the lens is quite sharp. Light falloff near the corners is quite significant, though so using slide film is tricky at best.
I'm a happy customer.

All the shots I've seen from it show vignetting...which does worry me a bit.

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonC

Check the age of the lens via the serial number. Lenses made in the 60s and on have better quality control.

Any idea of prefered serial number ranges?

Bryce · 06-01-2007

Concerning the light fallloff question, I've been unable to source a recomendation for a center filter. If anyone knows how to select an appropriate one, I might like to buy one someday for that camera.
That said, I get along just fine without it for B+W's. I overexpose by one stop, and deal with the unevenness in the darkroom, or just allow the darkened corners to exist since it is often aesthetically pleasing. Saves me from so much corner burning, right?

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonC

Check the age of the lens via the serial number. Lenses made in the 60s and on have better quality control.

Well, if this site can be believed, the one I'm looking at is from late 1965 or early 1966.

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryce

Concerning the light fallloff question, I've been unable to source a recomendation for a center filter. If anyone knows how to select an appropriate one, I might like to buy one someday for that camera.
That said, I get along just fine without it for B+W's. I overexpose by one stop, and deal with the unevenness in the darkroom, or just allow the darkened corners to exist since it is often aesthetically pleasing. Saves me from so much corner burning, right?

I can just dial out the vignetting in the conversion from RAW...wait...maybe not.

Bryce · 06-01-2007

Quote:
I can just dial out the vignetting in the conversion from RAW...wait...maybe not.

Maybe one of the aftermarket scanner drivers will produce RAW files? If so, you could.

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

I'm sure there must be a PS filter somewhere that removes vignetting.
A quick google says that ptlens will do it. I even already have that one.

So, what say you (all)?
Do I give it a go?

JasonC · 06-01-2007

From Schneider,

http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/age_of_lenses/

Quote:

Originally Posted by dazedgonebye

Well, if this site can be believed, the one I'm looking at is from late 1965 or early 1966.

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonC

From Schneider,

http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/age_of_lenses/

Thanks,
That verifies what I found from a third party source.

Bryce · 06-01-2007

Hey, cool link! I'll check mine when I get home and let you all know how old it is. I'll wager 1970- 1972, just for grins.
Not that they will tell you much, Steve, but there are images taken with that lens in my gallery under "Aboard the Servant'. They are B+W prints that have been scanned with a digital slr via a copy stand and flashguns, so the prints have been burned/ dodged to my taste. And of course they can't possibly show the resolution of a 6x9 negative.
FWIW I paid far more than $550 for mine, but it came from B+H with a good return policy and in virtually new condition.
Go with your gut on your purchase.

dazedgonebye · 06-01-2007

The only thing that stops me is that I've been considering a Crown Graphic and I could end up with a more versitile set up for that money.
The xlsw is a one trick pony...though it's a trick I've been wanting for some time.

Bryce · 06-01-2007

I wanted the thing pretty badly. I was after wide angle (would've preferred wider yet), medium format, and backpack friendly. But then in one form or another architecture is my thing.

raid · 06-01-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonC

From Schneider,

http://www.schneideroptics.com/info/age_of_lenses/

Thanks, Jason.
Now I know that my 47/8 lens was made in 1965.

Raid

Bryce · 06-01-2007

My lens was made between 1965 and 1967. I was off by 5 years!

dazedgonebye · 06-04-2007

Bought it!

Here we go again...me and another old camera.

Bryce · 06-04-2007

Let us see some results when you can!
Too bad there's just no way to cram all that detail onto a computer monitor; if this is your entry into medium or large format, you're in for a treat!

dazedgonebye · 06-04-2007

I've played with other MF cameras.
I've got a couple of folders and a very beat up Koni-Omega.

I just shot off a couple of rolls from my 21mm color skopar over the weekend. I'm hoping to use this camera for most of those shots from here on out.

dazedgonebye · 06-10-2007

Ran a couple of rolls through this weekend...waiting on film to come back now.

I'd never loaded a graflex rollfilm back before, so I'm sure I blew half a roll on that.

Overall, I liked using the camera, but it looks like my cv21mm viewfinder is not well suited to this camera. It sits so far forward that it is barely usable in landscape orientation.

Bryce · 06-10-2007

The camera didn't come with a dedicated viewfinder?
Maybe finding some kind of adapter to raise the viewfinder or position it further aft is your best solution. There are coldshoe adapters out there for cameras with a coldshoe and synch socket. I've ended up using one on my Bessa L and 15mm combination to get the viewfinder above the 77mm filter so I can see what will be in the lower part of the frame.
Is there a similar adapter out there to shift the viewfinder aft?
I've never seen an XLSW, but I think the back design is quite a lot thicker and narrower than the one on the Veriwide XL.

dazedgonebye · 06-10-2007

I can't find any mention of a dedicated finder for the thing anywhere.

Here she is.... Camping, camera and coffee.