My recently acquired Crown is in great shape. It's not in new condition. But it surely is nice. Questions about modifications:

1. I'll never use that flash. Should I just take the bracket off?

2. Saw the mod in View Camera to add front swing capability. This mod is invisible so no one would even know it was there unless they used the camera's front movements.

3. Saw the other mod in View Camera to allow full downward tilt w/o dropping the bed. This mod is visible and could only be reversed by replacing the modded front standard brackets with original ones. Is this worth it?

In total, I assume these cameras are not rare-even in excellent condition. So should I care about making these modifications to this one or not?

--Don Merz

Hi Don,
I would not modify mine without being able to put it back. I did reverse the front standard, but did not modify it, so I can put it back. Just flip it around and disconnect the range finder bracket from the rails. I can put it back anytime and for now I have foward tilt without dropping the bed.

If I were going to do a permanent modification, I'd buy a clunker from eBay.

BTW, I have a Speed Graphic, don't know if it's the same as a crown.

Here is a thread that has a few thoughts on modifications


http://www.graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?t=5261&highlight=

I still vote not to do anything that cant be undone

Its your time/money/camera, do as you wish.

If you plan on paying someone to do the mods then a Toyo or Linhof may cost less.

45PSS wrote:

Its your time/money/camera, do as you wish. If you plan on paying someone to do the mods then a Toyo or Linhof may cost less.

Well, if you had a Toyo or a Linhof you wouldn't need to do any mods to get the movements you want to mutilate your Crown for; these are already field cameras. As to costing less, I dunno...those are fairly pricey cameras.

You'll get three kinds of answers to your question: (1) do it; (2) don't do it; (3) that's a definite maybe. Like the man said, "You pays your money and you takes your choice."

Quote:

Its your time/money/camera, do as you wish.

You know......... just a thought
If enough of these cameras are destroyed...............
maybe mine will be worth something before I'm dead.

Have you looked at Graflex Corp. cameras on ebay lately?
your camera may be worth more than you think.

45PSS: You are right. ebay completed auctions. One sold for $269 & one for $275. They are going up from a month or two ago.