Graflex.org

[zparras]

Dear Graflex gang,

I have been using my 4x5 Pacemaker Speed for over 3 years and the movements it has are enough for my purposes, and I really like using it handheld. I also really enjoy using roll film with it and now I want to pickup a 2x3 Pacemaker Crown or Century Graphic. I travel a lot and usually I bring my Yashica-Mat LM camera with me, which has been outstanding for the past 6 years. Now I want a camera to replace the Yashica-Mat (for travel) with some movements and changeable lenses and backs. I am very devoted to the Graflex line of cameras and have looked at many other roll film cameras and I keep coming back to the features like versatility, simplicity, affordability and availability that make Graphic cameras ideal for my purposes. I usually use the camera to photograph tourist sites and buildings. My main question relates to features and weight of the two cameras. As much as I love my Speed, I am not considering the 2x3 because of the added weight from the focal plane shutter as well as the limitations for using wider lenses. I have a number of Graflex books and from my understanding the Pacemaker Crown and Century have all the same features, the only difference I have found is the body of the Century is made of Mohaganite and the Crown is Mohagany and Metal. So my question is directed to users of 2x3 Crown and Century cameras, what do you use your cameras for and how light and portable are they? Also if anyone can tell me about any other differences between these cameras that I don’t know.

Thanks, gang,

Zissis Parras
_________________
Anthro photo guy

[Henry]

I've not owned or used a Crown, so my remarks are confined solely to the Century. It's a great camera! Because its body is Mahoganite (a type of plastic), it's not gonna warp, split, or rot. I have my entire kit in a Tamrac backpack-type of camera bag (unfortunately this particular model #757 is no longer in their catalogue); this includes lenses, filters, flash, grip, light meter, three roll film holders, etc., etc. It might be nice to have the Crown's body release for hand-held work, but I get around that by using the right index finger on the shutter release lever, and anyway most of my work is from a tripod with gg focusing using cable release. I can't make a weight comparison but my guess is that any difference between the Crown and Century is negligible. You would probably be quite happy with either one!

[troublemaker]

I've used both the PAcemaker SPeed, Crown, and also the Century. I used to backpack with the Century stripped down and have since switched to the Crown 2x3. Yes, the SPeed 23 is quite a bit heavier and not as travel friendly. Nor will the SPeed take as a short a lens for wide angles. Having used and owned a number of Century and Crown 23's I don't see any real differences. It will be the lens and film back that make more difference. A problem I do find with all the Graphic cameras is that the rear rails tend to be sloppy, making short wideangles subject to vibration... ALso, one may find that when the bed is dropped thier lens of choice may very well wish to live right about the hinge point.
It is also hard to see subtle shifts and focus on the smaller GG of the 2x3 cameras, esspecially in the corners and ir forground etc.
Other issues are finding a camera body in good to useable condition. Many of the cameras around need a lot of work, though most are seviceable.
As for the body release on the Pacemaker series, which is absent on the bakelite body of the Century, I am getting, and others have commented similarly, a lot of camera shake when I use them. I have had better luck tripping the shutters up front at the release lever anyway, or using a suport and air or cable release.

[Dan Fromm]

Sorry for jumping in late, I've been away. Anyway, I shoot a 2x3 Speed and a Century.

What people have said about the Speed not allowing use of short lenses is sort of true, but is a little wrong 'round the edges. It is very true that the shortest "standard issue" lens a 2x3 Speed will focus is the 80/6.3 WF Ektar. The shortest "standard issue" lenses were 65/6.8 Optar/Raptar and some folks use 65/6.8 Angulons on 2x3 Crown/Century. Different designs, but functionally equivalent. Can't be used on a 2x3 Speed. A 65 Raptar is the reason I have a Century.

But there are newer short lenses that will focus to infinity on a 2x3 Speed, and they're all better -- cover more than 2x3, so are sharper in the corners and are sharper in the center too -- than the 65/6.8s. 65 Super Angulons, both f/5.6 and f/8 and 58/5.6 Grandagon. The 65/8 Ilex was designed and made in Rochester but is functionally equivalent to the 65/8 SA, might be a little sharper centrally. FWIW, I use my 65/8 Ilex and 58 Grandy on my Speed.

There's also a semi-mythical 1.75"/2.8 Elcan in barrel that will focus to infinity on a 2x3 Speed. I have one, you shouldn't covet it. Covers nominal 6x6, not 2x3 and isn't that sharp.

I also have a 2x3 Crown that I basically don't use. Haven't measured, but I think the Century is lighter. The Century is lighter than the Speed, but for the short walks I take it doesn't really matter which I grab.

About the dread body release. The "paddle" that actuates the shutter's release lever is pretty much shutter specific. I use a number of lenses in or on Copal #1 on my Speed, can't make the paddle work one of those shutters. IMO, the body release is, with respect to the front shutter, a useless frill. Mainly that paddle gets in the way. The paddle that came on my Speed is safely misplaced in a drawer. If I ever start using the Crown, its paddle will go in the same drawer.

Cheers,

Dan

[troublemaker]

The other thing I noticed Dan is that the paddle for the release, when used with Supermatics, blocks the mount for suplimentary cable releases. Kinda irritating. And if the body release isn't butter smooth, one gets unwanted camera shake as I mentioned above. I've been getting away more and more from using the body release, but I leave a couple set up properly so that those cameras are as original, but thenI trip the shutter at the front anyway. The idea was not to be fumbling around the lens with one's fingers I think, but I never have any problems, and one gets used to what ever set they use....
One thing that really helps with the release levers for the FPS on the Speeds is to take apart the mechanism and clean and lube appropriately. I find this helps tremendously for smooth releases of the FPS. But one needs to be able to putit all backtogether correctly and properly set the lower roller and position of the curtain etc...

[zparras]

Hi Gang,

Thanks Henry for your endorsement of the Century body, that put me a little more at ease. Also thanks everyone for your first hand information on using these cameras. I agree that it does come down to the specific lens and film used rather than the camera. It is interesting troublemaker mentioned the body release issue. I have not heard of that issue before. Frankly one of my favorite features on the Speed is the body release, I find it perfect for hand held shouting. It’s true the body release “paddle” only works with certain lens/shutter combinations. I find it perfect for my 127mm Ektar, which is the only lens I shoot hand held anyway, but doesn’t work with my other lenses. Thanks Dan for all the great lens information about the lenses the Speed 2x3 can use. So I guess it would be alright which ever camera I found, Century or Crown.

Thanks everyone I really appreciate all your comments.

Zissis Parras
_________________
Anthro photo guy

[Jim23]

The Century would also be my favorite! I have two of them, one with a Xenar in a Compur and the other with the Graftar in a simple self-cocking shutter.

The favorite is the one with the much-maligned Graftar triplet and very worn outer covering. I keep it behind the seat in my pickup truck along with a half-dozen film holders with HP5+ film, and old handle-mount 6-AA -battery Vivitar electronic flash, and a tripod. Sure, the lens is as sharp as a marble when used wide open, but makes an acceptable 11x14" image at f8 and smaller.

The other camera with the Xenar is "too nice" to always have along (I work where there are frequent car break-ins).

My advice is to get one with a Kalart RF. I usually focus on the ground glass, but the RF comes in handy when I'm in a hurry.