I have recently received a Speed Graphic that
I can't identify. Supposedly it was used at the turn of the century to photograph the Olympics. It has a plate that says Speed Graphic and a plaque-Howland & Dewey Co./
Eastman Kodak Co. 510 E. Broadway, LA, CA. Stamped inside with a serial number 234. It
has shutter widths of 1/4, 3/4 and 1 1/2, O and T and tension settings of 1-6. I have two lenses for it. One simply says Pat. Dec 9 1890 with three turnable apeture holes. The other is a Bausch & Lomb Zeiss Protar Series 4, Pat Jan.13,1891
and has apeture settings from f/12.5 to f/32.
Everything is in good condition but the shutter is warpped. What is it and does any one repair these shutters? Thanks for any help.

Heidi

It's a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Top Handle Speed Graphic made from around 1915 to 1925 , so the "turn of the Century is out of the question, but maybe the '16 or '20 Olympics.

The serial number should be 5 digits long and is usually stamped inside the body. If you open the camera up, put your finger on the bed latch inside the body, then move your finger to the right about an inch you should feel it.

Les

Graflex shutters certainly can be repaired. The difficulty at present is that the foremost Graflex technical specialist, Fred Lustig, is recovering from an illness and is not presently practicing his profession. Outfits that restore classic cameras, like "Photography on Bald Mountain" (Ken Ruth) might solve the problem, but also might be pricey -- I've not dealt with him, so I can't predict the price.

The big problem in restoring antique cameras usually is finding parts, and it does not sound as though yours needs any. What you need is someone to fabricate a new shutter curtain. Material for doing this is available, and camera technicians know where to get it. The shutter itself is quite simple, compared to the self-capping focal plane shutters on miniature cameras.

Putting your camera back into working order would be well worth doing. The previous post identifies your "Graphic" as a 3-1/4 X 4-1/4 model. This size was pretty generally discontinued in the early 1970s, which is very unfortunate. You can cut down 4X5 sheets, if you spend a few minutes to assemble a fixture that will guide you in the dark. I've also seen this format offered by "Film for Classics," but I don't know whether it's available all the time.

The B&L "Protar" ought be be a really spectacular performer, if the cement between the elements has not deteriorated.

contact me at
bsaunders1@bak.rr.com
Bert