Graflex.org

[installers]

My son acquired a SpeedGraphic at an auction over the weekend. He's spent about 20 hours in this forum trying to figure out what he has. He thinks he has the following:

Serial Number: 255436
Format: 3.25 x 4.25 (rear ground glass size)
Side Rangefinder

The lens and lensboard were not present, and the film holder was not present as well. He knew he needed them when he bought it, he just needs to know which ones will work. The same is true for film holders. Could the back be changed to accept different film holders or backs (e.g. the Polariod back)? Is there anything else he needs?

By the way, the siderails that hold the guide arms for the bed look like they might allow the bed to drop down about another 20 degrees (as suggested by the Anniversary model postings), but the left hand rail (left when you are looking into the lens toward the film) has been flattened so that the arm can't move passed it. This prevents the bed from taking that second step down. Did someone tamper with the camera or has it always been this way?

Thanks,
Jeff Griffith
(I'd use my real name for my ID, but most systems don't like it :->).

[Gandolf]

3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Anniversary Speed Graphic.

Made in 1940

[Les]

The rails should allow the bed to drop, that way wide angle lenses can be used without the bed getting in the photo, so it sounds like somebody messed with it.

There were two backs available in 1940, a Graflex back and a Graphic or spring back. Later came the Graflok back, but I don't know of too many retrofits for 3x4 cameras.

With the Graflex back, you MUST remove the ground glass before a film holder can be mounted to the camera. The film holder will have a slot at the top and bottom that fit into a metal rail and sliding rail.

A Graphic or spring back has the ground glass mounted on two flat (usually painted black) springs. To load a film holder, you simply slip the holder between the ground glass and the body.

With the help of an experinced wood worker and a table saw either of these backs could be permanently modified to take a model 405 Polaroid back, which is roughly 3x4. But the rangefinder must be functional as you will lose the ground glass.

Graphic (standard) film holders are common and cheap on ebay right now. Film for classics (www.filmforclassics.com), freestyle and photo warehouse all cut down film, the latter two being a bit cheaper, so 3x4 B&W film is still available and for a newcomer, might be the way to go.

Roll film backs were available, but the 3x4 Graphic version isn't a high quality item, is very scarce, and very expensive.

The most common lens on a 3x4 Speed is a 127mm Optar or Ektar. A very good lens. some Kodak experts claim it was their best color corrected lens period. Very common, and relatively inexpensive, just find one that hasn't been cleaned with steel wool.