Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 Camera
Photo thanks to David Price - [email protected]
The Graflex.org website has lots more information
on this and related camera models. The Crown Graphic Special cameras were made in the
1958-1973 period, and are similar to the Pacemaker Crown Graphic (4x5" version) cameras in overall
design and layout. A combination viewfinder and rangefinder device was mounted on the top
(see dual RF openings and the viewfinder in photo at top). The standard lens was a
schneider Xenar 135mm f/4.5 in a synchro-compur shutter featuring speeds from 1 second to
1/500th plus bulb.
These cameras are a popular entry camera for medium format photographers who want an
inexpensive (as in $250-350+) camera with a limited but often sufficient range of
movements which can pack up into a compact package.
rec.photo.equipment.large-format From: steven T koontz [email protected] [1] Re: Graflex Crown Graphic Date: Sat Mar 28 1998 kalock wrote: > > This is not really a 'Large Format' topic, but I see lots of reference to > graflex in this list. > well it's not a small format either! > > I have a 3.5" X 2.5" Crown Grahic and would like to convert it to take a > roll film holder. > > I have been told that a Graflock back was not made for this model. > yes they did (maybe on later models or an option?) its just a smaller version of the graflock used on the 4X5.. probably need to find a "dead" one to rob back off of.. mounts with some screws. I have one on my crown 2X3 and you can find the roll backs pretty cheap for these.. unfortunatly you can't use/no one made a polaroid back.. other wise great little camera.. I use mine alot.. -- steve's photography & Z car stuff @ http://www.mindspring.com/~skoontz [email protected]
From: "John Stewart" [email protected]
Subject: Speed/Crown Tips (long)
Date: Fri, 22 May 1998
Here are a couple of quick notes for folks with Speed/Crown Graphics. Im
sure this info is not completely new, but I think it is worth repeating.
This past weekend I offered to shoot some black and white for a friends
wedding. I am not the official photographer, there was none. But I wanted
to do some medium format BW using a roll back so they would have some images
that would last.
I decided to use my late model (early 70s) Speed Graphic with the Optar
lens.
The first problem was the X-synch on the lens. It was the older two prong
affair and the local shops had not adapters to the more standard PC style.
The solution was to modify a power cord for a typical electric razor! The
holes in the end are about the right distance apart. Since the metal
connections are recessed about a quarter inch into the plastic housing, I
had to trim of the plastic until the metal contact tubes were flush with the
end of the plug. Since the metal tubes are a bit larger than the posts on
the lens, it was also necessary to crimp them so they wouldnt slip off.
After all the work on the camera side, it was quite simple to just cut off
the AC plug and solder on an appropriate connector to the flash. You could
also attach one of the hot shoe adapters that are made for cameras without
hot shoes. The electric razor cord fits well and I have had no trouble with
the flash not firing.
Many Graphic cameras have a small battery compartment and light bulb that is
supposed to assist in focusing in low light. If your rangefinder is
properly adjusted, this is a GREAT device!
Unfortunately, many units do not work because of corrosion or broken bulbs.
Since this is a basic simple circuit, it is not hard to scrape away
coatings on the metal parts. If the bulb is NG, you will need to improvise.
Since the device projects the image of the filament, using modern bulbs with
lenses in the tip do not work. I found the best results with a bulb from a
very inexpensive Chinese-made camera. Look for old fashioned metal ones
with round bulbs. You may have to spend a few minutes aligning the bulb so
the filament is clearly projected. Also be sure to clean the round windows
in the rangefinder housing! But properly set, the filament projects
brightly as two images and then they are brought together, focus is set!
Hope this helps.
John
[Ed. note: Thanks to Ed for passing on this observation; I've deleted the
(Special) designation, based on the original EBAY sellers description
above...]
Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2000
From: "Edward A. Riedel" [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Crown Graphic " Special"
I noted with interest the photo of the above-noted camera :
http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/graflexcrown.html. Cameras promoted by
Graflex Inc as "Specials" ( with Xenars) had the word "Special" printed on
the lensboard .Earlier top rangefinder Crowns were available with the less
expensive Xenar lens--but I don't think these were advertised or sold as
"Specials" .
Regards. Ed
From: "Richard Knoppow" [email protected] Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.large-format Subject: Re: Graflex 4x5 SLR Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 [email protected] wrote > Hi, > > I am considering adding a 4x5 Reflex SLR to my collection of LF cameras. I > think it might be nice for portraits w/ Type 55. I have 2 questions. Can > anyone fix these older SLRs? Also, can I use my 12' Barrel Dagor without > auto- diaphragm ? Gowlandflex a better choice? > > Regards to all. > Nelson Most of the Graflex's have limited bellows draw. I've used a 12" lens on my 4x5 Super-D but can't get close enough for head shots with it. The auto diaphragm is found only on the 4x5 and 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 Super-D models. All the others had manual diaphragms. Both the Kodak Ektar and Graflex Optar (Wollensak) 190mm lenses on the Super-D are excellent. These lenses are long enough for much portrait work. There is much more information about Graflex's on the Graflex site at http://www.graflex.org Fred Lustig is an old time Graflex factory technician. He bought the parts inventory when W.D.Services closed. He does not have e-mail or a web site. Fred Lustig 4790 Caughlin Pkwy #433 Reno, NV 89509 1 775 746 0111 Graflex Parts and Service Graflex's are very tough and once set up right will keep going for a long time. The Gowlandflex is a twin lens reflex using identical lenses for taking and the finder. It has the advantage that you can see the finder image continuously. Plus it uses a between the lens shutter so has much more versitile flash synch. The Super-D and some other Graflex models will synch strobe using what Graflex called "drop shutter". This uses the mirror as the opening shutter which trips the curtain which closes the exposure. The total exposure time is about 1/7th second. It works fine for strobe but must be used in a studio without much ambient light. Focal Plane type flash bulbs can be used at 1/1000 second only (for the 4x5) because shutter travel time is minimal there. --- Richard Knoppow Los Angeles, CA, USA [email protected]
From: eirram [email protected] Newsgroups: rec.photo.equipment.large-format Subject: Re: Anybody know a source for lens boards for Crown Graphic Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2003 jdunn [email protected] wrote: >Some one told me I can make my own out of wood. >I can get 8 ply aircraft birch in thin stock. >This person told me I don't need it to curve in >at the edges to block light. Is this correct info? >Is it worth doing? You might also find this link of interest: http://www.mpex.com/GRAPHIC_LENS_BOARDS.htm Goodluck