Graflex.org

markjwyatt · Joined: 23 Oct 2018 Posts: 4 Location: Southern California

Hello all:

I ended up with a Speed Graphic from my dad. I am starting to shoot film again, and am interested in using this. As I am inspecting it, one of the biggest issues I see so far is one of the "tabs" on the ground glass casing is broken. I can insert a film holder, but wonder if there is any issue in using the camera like this. I think I can get a replacement casing, but would need to transfer all the hardware including glass, springs, etc. Any thoughts?

broken Ground Glass Casing by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr[/img]

I wonder if this would work. Mine appears to be ~1949 Pacemaker 4x5 Speed Graphic.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Speed-Graphic-4x5-Film-Spring-Back-Graflex-/163324450150?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

markjwyatt · Joined: 23 Oct 2018 Posts: 4 Location: Southern California

This is an easier answer, but a bit costlier:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/GRAFLEX-4X5-COMPLETE-GRAFLOK-BACK-W-SCREWS-CROWN-SPEED-GRAPHIC-NICE/362454112433?_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131227121020%26meid%3D528936c9a85e4606afff3e4e1b810bf8%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D163324450150%26itm%3D362454112433&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

The one I linked in the OP does not look correct for my camera.

I would rather use it as it is first, see if everything else is working , then consider buying a new back. I do have a "23" roll film back also, but I do not know if the rangefinder is working, etc., and really want to shoot 4x5.

45PSS · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2018 7:41 pm Post subject:

That missing chunk appears to be cosmetic. The back frame is Magnesium.

The first focus panel you linked to is for a Graphic aka spring back.

The second link is a Graflok back which your camera has.

markjwyatt · Joined: 23 Oct 2018 Posts: 4 Location: Southern California

shutterfinger · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 57

835142 is in the first batch of serial numbers listed but the exact date is not recorded. Its in the middle of a 20.000 batch listed in 1948 with the next batch listed in 1950. Cameras were retro fitted with the Graflok back and may have been retrofitted with one that uses the Ektalite Field Screen (fresnel). Lots of confusion around this time as Folmer Graflex was purchased by General Precision Equipment and made a department of the company.

markjwyatt · Joined: 23 Oct 2018 Posts: 4 Location: Southern California

45PSS · Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2018 8:14 pm Post subject:

Remove the back. Lay a straight edge across the back frame and measure the distance from the straight edge to the gg at multiple places. I usually make a grid of thirds both horizontally and vertically measuring at the center of each section. All should be the same. With a film holder in place, darkslide removed, sheet of film in the film holder the distance to the surface of the film should be the same as the distance to the ground glass.
I have encountered film holders with one side deep than the other. If you have a difference between sides of the holder try a different holder.

Sheet film holder tolerances: http://home.earthlink.net/~eahoo/page8/filmhold.html

Be sure both sides of the back frame are the same as some cameras have ridges that make this measurement difficult. The Graphic should be fairly easy.

Its also common for a first quarter camera to have a previous year last quarter lens.
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