If I have a Graflex camera with a
graflok back, can I focus and compose with a
2x3 cut film back on the ground glass
and then switch out the back and take the
photo with a roll film back?
I ask because I am considering buying a
2x3 Graflex that has a 2x3 cut film
back, but I don't think the range finder is
working. Thanks.

My advice to you is,save up and buy a 2x3 where the rangefinder is WORKING.Without expert advice you could be in trouble.If you only want to purely use it as a static camera on a tripod for a studio,using the ground glass screen,then this is OK..and yes,to the question.(roll film back).
Im using mine for fast press work so without a rangefinder that is accurate I cannot operate.
Remember,you have a slight wide-angle feel about the lens,101mm,thats the reason Im using mine because the subject matter is up close & personal.
If I was further away,and in a scrum,them the 127mm or the 135mm would be preferred on the larger Graphics.

However,watch the digital mob stand back when a REAL camera like the Graphic appears out of the bag:still working half a century on,and without battery back-up.

Built like a tank,and can inflict a certain amount of damage if anyone gets in the way.Stand well clear when this is operational.

Quote:

On 2005-11-19 23:17, jmc wrote: If I have a Graflex camera with a graflok back, can I focus and compose with a 2x3 cut film back on the ground glass and then switch out the back and take the photo with a roll film back? I ask because I am considering buying a 2x3 Graflex that has a 2x3 cut film back, but I don't think the range finder is working. Thanks.

Huh? The film holder goes between the GG and the camera body. It is impossible to focus on the GG when a film holder is in place.

If you mean focus on the ground glass and then insert a sheet film holder; remove the focusing panel and attach a Graflex or similar roll holder; or leave the focusing panel in place and insert an Adapt-A-Roll 620, well, yes, that's how its done. And that's why the cameras have a focusing panel with a piece of ground glass.

Graflex Sid is fixated on using Graphics as press photographers used to. With a working RF calibrated for the lens mounted, yes, of course, they sometimes used the RF. If you want to do that, look into having your RF adjusted or adjusting it yourself. The working pressmen also prefocused by scale, using a scale that was correct for the lens being used.

"I don't think the RF is working" doesn't make clear, though, whether your RF is out of adjustment or kaput. If kaput, its the GG or get another RF.

GS' fixation is crippling. If I believed him, I wouldn't be shooting lenses from 38 mm to 480 mm on my 2x3 Graphics. I focus all but one of them on the GG, and I prefer to focus the one an RF is set up for on the GG too.

Cheers,

Dan

Well, the Kalart rangefinder is a fine tool *if* it's properly adjusted *and* you only use it for one focal length lens---we all know how tedious it is to change the Kalart to another focal length. I've taken shots in near-total darkness where it would have been impossible to focus on the gg, but was able to get a tack-sharp image by focusing with the Kalart on a faint light source.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Henry on 2005-11-20 08:41 ]</font>

Wake up.Dan..Crippling,what are you talking about..that's a fine thing to say about your fellow Graphic owners..and all those that lost their lives in the forces photographic units throughout wars from the Pacific to Korea-and to those in peace time that worked for all the national magazines,that had no time to waste on looking through screens & changing lenses..Great people that brought us wonderful pictures with the aid of a Graphic,standard lens & it's rangefinder.

Would you have said that to Weegee to his face,no you would have run a mile.

Because we use our rangefinder,and not a ground glass screen,it is no reason to make personal remarks on this forum.

This was just my own personal observation on how I use the Graphic:others may not fall into this category.

I hope other fellow Graphic owners feel the same way..if not,well frankly Im not worried.

Quote:

On 2005-11-20 08:45, Graflex Sid wrote: Wake up.Dan..Crippling,what are you talking about..that's a fine thing to say about your fellow Graphic owners..and all those that lost their lives in the forces photographic units throughout wars from the Pacific to Korea-and to those in peace time that worked for all the national magazines,that had no time to waste on looking through screens & changing lenses..Great people that brought us wonderful pictures with the aid of a Graphic,standard lens & it's rangefinder. Would you have said that to Weegee to his face,no you would have run a mile. Because we use our rangefinder,and not a ground glass screen,it is no reason to make personal remarks on this forum. This was just my own personal observation on how I use the Graphic:others may not fall into this category. I hope other fellow Graphic owners feel the same way..if not,well frankly Im not worried.

Horace, you've just confirmed my belief that you have a fixation about how Graphics should be used. You're entirely too touchy about being disagreed with. Do be less shirty. Any way of using a Graphic is fine with me, including as a huge Leica.

I regret that you read a personal attack where none was intended.

I'm with you, Sid. Let's all keep on using our Graflex/Graphic cameras to suit our individual needs, and refrain from making personal attacks of any kind (and having made them, feigning innocence about it). Loaded words like "fixation," "too touchy," "less shirty" [what the h--- is that???] only inflame the discussion. Ease off.

Sorry Guys,

Coresponding with Dan a few times, I actually took it in the light it was posted and found it humerous....It seems to me, some are more sensitive than others.

I again, did not take Dan's post as anything offensive at all.

Dave

I guess I'm a "stuffed shirt" because I don't see anything humorous about referring to Graflex Sid's "fixation" as being crippling. Sid is a gifted WORKING photographer. I've seen his work. The fleeting moments he has captured could not possibly have been focused on the ground glass. In fact, I savor every word he has to say regarding his take on how he plies his craft. If Sid's fixation is crippling, I wish I suffered from his affliction. His work is inspiring. Fred.

Thank you,Fred...I very much appreciate that.I hope you and the wife are keeping well,and send my best regards.
I will be in touch over Christmas.

Quote:

On 2005-11-29 04:29, clnfrd wrote: I guess I'm a "stuffed shirt" because I don't see anything humorous about referring to Graflex Sid's "fixation" as being crippling. Sid is a gifted WORKING photographer. I've seen his work. The fleeting moments he has captured could not possibly have been focused on the ground glass. In fact, I savor every word he has to say regarding his take on how he plies his craft. If Sid's fixation is crippling, I wish I suffered from his affliction. His work is inspiring. Fred.

Fred, life would be much less enjoyable if we all agreed about everything all the time.

Cheers,

Dan

...and vice versa.