Graflex.org

westshorestudios · Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 5

Hi - I have a Super Speed Graphic with a polaroid back and a RH10 roll holder. I have never used it, never seen it used and don't have the first clue!

I would like to start with polaroid so I can get some instant feedback, but don't even know what type of polaroid film to buy or how to load it once I buy it.

Anyone have time to educate me a little?

Thanks

Greg

RichS · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 4:16 am Post subject:

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

If you've got any 545 model Polaroid back get some type 54 film (100 speed B&W, you can't afford Color)

use your 35mm camera as a light meter for fstop and shutter speed values.

For the Graflex 1000 shutter, the shutter is cocked by rotating the lens shade clockwise and you open and close the lens by the small lever in the lower corner labeled O and C

After that shoot a Graphic is kidstuff as shown in the link below....

http://home.twmi.rr.com/lnphoto/simple/index.htm

[ This Message was edited by: Les on 2004-11-17 05:27 ]

RichS · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:26 pm Post subject:

Very nice Les. I especially like "meter the light". Never thought of worrying about which way the light was blowing

westshorestudios · Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 5

Good points. A little more about me. I have some photographic background and know my f/stops from my shutter speeds. I have all the latest wunderkameras (i.e., eos 10D, etc.), but my favorites to use are my 35 year old minoltas and even old Mamiya twin lense C330. I have a hand held light meter.

My Super Speed graphic has on it the Optar 135mm, with speeds up to 1/1000th (don't know how accurate they are).

My polaroid back is the 550 model.

Camera has the range finder, but I don't know how well it is calibrated (figure polaroids will help me determine that).

Camera also has a ground glass back with viewing hood.

I'll check out the web site referenced above for the Anniversary (?) manual. In the mean time, can you let me know what type of polaroid film pack I need to get?

Thanks.

Greg

Jack5541 · Joined: 31 Jul 2003 Posts: 76

Hi Greg...A good suggestion someone mentioned when I got my Super Speed Graphic was to go to the top of the help board main page and use the "SEARCH" function and put in things like "Super Graphic" and "Super Speed Graphic" and for info on the shutter put in "Graflex 1000 shutter."
The only difference between a "Super Graphic" and "Super Speed Graphic" is that shutter with the 1/1000th second shutter speed. This shutter has been prone to having problems as years go by and there are many people on this board, myself included, who have had trouble with them. A few words of hard-earned wisdom might be to handle the shutter with extreme TLC. Do everything VERY SLOWLY. Change the shutter speeds and aperture SLOWLY and carefully. Always cock the shutter by turning the cocking ring SLOWLY and unless you really need to use the higher shutter speeds don't fire the shutter at speeds over 1/500th. I'm just mentioning my opinions and experience. The first day I got the camera I tripped the shutter at 1/750th and one of the shutter leaves dropped out and jammed the whole thing, leaving the whole shutter useless until it could be fixed, which is a whole other story because Fred Lustig in Nevada is about the only person on the planet with the parts and expertise to do it.
All in all, it's a great camera to have and very easy to use. The electronic shutter release is great, if you have one that works.
As I said, there's alot of info on this Help Board about using this camera.
You can also get a good quality reprint of the user manual from John at http://www.craigcamera.com/
Best of Luck!!!

t.r.sanford · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 5:19 pm Post subject:

Your "550" Polaroid adapter is designed to accept a 4x5 film pack, not the single packets accepted by the more common "545" adapter. It is a neat package which, for some reason, never found the favor I think it deserves. I fear the adapters themselves are no longer made, but film still is; I've seen it at B&H in New York City.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

45PSS · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 9:46 pm Post subject:

[ This Message was edited by: 45PSS on 2005-12-25 11:24 ]

westshorestudios · Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 5

thanks to all of you for your help.

T.R. - which film pack is the type 550 polaroid adapter compatible with? Is it polaroid only or will it also take other (fuji? kodak? other?) film packs (are there other film packs?).

I've ordered a CD that is supposed to have a reproduction of the users manual, so hopefully that will help also.

Thanks again.

Greg

jsiladi · Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Posts: 34 Location: midwest

I believe (or this is what I was told at a local shop) that Fuji makes the polaroid film. It's still badged polaroid though. I further believe (could be completely wrong about this) that the polaroid badged packs are the only ones that work with the 550. A very inexpensive option you may want to consider, a 405 (can be found on the auction site for under $50 or so), make sure it has the darkslide.. Fuji pack film for that one can be found for $10-12 per pack (10 shots)..

Jeff

t.r.sanford · Posted: Fri Nov 19, 2004 4:35 pm Post subject:

Film packs for the "550" back have three digits beginning with "5" (the more prevalent packets for the "545" family also start with "5" but have two digits). According to Polaroid, materials presently available in the 4x5 packs include "559" and newer "579" color print film, and "553," "554" and "572" B&W.

I always have wondered why Polaroid never marketed an inexpensive camera designed for these large film packs, similar to the "Reporter" line.