I have a few questions about a speed graphic I just picked up. I've posted a few images <a href="http://www.westnet.com/~darkstar/junk/camera/" here</a>.

1. Can any of you tell which model it is I have?

2. What kind of back do I have?

3. Can I use Quickload/Readyload/Polaroid film holders?

4. If yes to 3, is the polaroid holder (545i?) able to handle the Fuji and Kodak readyload products and still provide good results?

5. I notice my lens shutter only goes to 200,
is there a way to test the screen in rear for
proper operation?

6. Is the procedure to make all your camera settings first, doing focus last? I've noticed that many things require a bit of force to turn/set and imagine that could throw off composition or focus.

6a. I have a few film holders. Is the procedure to pull on the back enough to get part of the holder 'in' and then slide it the rest of the way? This seems to require a good amount of pressure to overcome the force from the back and I wonder that it could result in errors in focus, etc.


Thanks for help with these very newbie questions; I'm just getting started with 4x5.

hmm.. that seemed to eat my "<a></a>" link so here is the raw link:

http://www.westnet.com/~darkstar/junk/camera/

cheers

A little bit of looking around here would have answered almost all your questions... But...

1> See: http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/graphic-models.html
Looks like an Anniversary to me.

2> See: http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/features.html#GraflokBack
It's the standard spring or "Graphic" back.

3> Yes.

4> Yes.

5> Yes, but you need some kind of shutter tester. In all probability, it would need a cleaning and lubrication. Same for the shutter on your lens. All this info is in the forums.

6> Again, some cleaning and lubrication will fix part of that problem. I usually focus first as once you set the speed of the shutter, you can't focus! Plain old experience is what is needed here and you only get that by taking pictures.

6a> Yes. I hold the back with my left hand and use my index finger to pull out the focus panel just enough to start sliding in the film holder. Then I hold tha back more firmly with my left hand and slide the holder completely in with my right hand. Removal of the holder is reversed...

Now that the questions are hopefuly answered...

Congratulations on your new Speed. Great cameras and you should have a lot of fun with it! But do look around this site and do a lot of reading. But a copy of "Graphic Graflex Photography" (well out of print but available) and read that. The manual for your camera is avaiable at
http://www.southbristolviews.com
At the bottom of the left side menu is Graflex Manuals. We just rceently added the Anniversary model and it will help a lot with using your camera...

Enjoy!

thanks very much for your help. I was fairly certain about the model and back but rather go on assumption I was guessing right I thought it best to ask.

Can't wait to start taking some shots with it. I've noted either here or on the largeformat site some recommend starting with the polaroids so I think I'll go that route and move on to the quickloads after.

Perhaps one day I'll have a darkroom again and can start doing my own processing.

Cheers

Looks like an early post war Anny. The reason your front shutter only goes up to 200 is that you have a longer lens than commonly found on Speeds. It uses the larger shutter and they only went up to 1/200.

This actually is equal to a 50mm lens on a 35mm camera.