From an Ad in U.S.CAMERA June 1956.
PACEMAKER Graphic Outfits.
inc:3 cell flashgun,case,roll film holder,6 cut film holders,sunshade,4 filters.

2x3 SPEED GRAPHIC $338
2x3 CROWN GRAPHIC $299
both with a 101mm EKTAR f4.5 (1/800sec)

4x5 NEW TOP RANGEFINDER
135mm XENAR SPEED GRAPHIC $299 CROWN $279
135mm OPTAR " " $354 " $305
127mm EKTAR " " $354 " $305

EASY PAYMENTS FOR CIVILIANS AND SERVICEMEN THE WORLD OVER!
From a shop on 5th.Ave.N.Y.

Form an orderly queue you Guys!

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Graflex Sid on 2003-08-21 07:46 ]</font>

On the 5x4's the $305 was for the CROWN's..
it's just the way it's come out on the post,unfortunately!

4x5 NEW TOP RANGEFINDER
135mm XENAR Crown GRAPHIC $279
135mm OPTAR " $305
127mm EKTAR " $305


So what's so special about a Crown Special?
It was $27 CHEAPER!!

According to this site
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

That $279 "Eisenhower" dollars equals about $1800 "G. Bush" dollars.

And a new Speed with an Ektar lens ($354) would cost around $2278, very close to what an EOS 10d and a few lenses cost, so it seems the price of professional equipment hasn't changed over the years, just the longevity and the profit margin.

Les



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"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2003-08-21 13:24 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2003-08-21 13:21 ]</font>