Camera Talk

Hi all,

As the title says... “An american in Russia”

I scored again... let’s see if for good or bad.

Anniversary Speed Graphic.

The good, it came with four lenses, Optar 135mm, Fujinon W 180mm, Meopar 210mm and Industar 51D. Both Optar and Fujinon are general purpose, Meopar is Heliar design and Industar Tessar type but this one has no aperture is it wide open, seller said it’s good por portraits as well.
Lenses as spotless and shutters strong.

The very good is I got from him 3 packs of 4x5 TriX-320 with 16 sheets inside plus the holder and I made two test and it’s 320 indeed.

The best is the focal plane shutter is working and it seems fine, tomorrow I will test it of course along with the lenses.

The bad, no revolving back, I need to turn the camera for portrait mode.
Second bad is no movements at all... this camera is a true press camera.

To test... the rangefinder accuracy and/or how to tune it for the Optar or my 127mm Ysarex.

Happy as a kid with new shoes
Alex

Cool! There are some limited movements you can do with the camera, Alex. The front standard has rise, and you can drop the front bed too (comes in handy when using a wide angle lens).

PF

Very classic camera and nice lens set. Many historic pictures were taken with these cameras in the 20th century.

You are well into large format now! The Tri-X 320 is a nice bonus.

PFMcFarland wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 09, 2019 1:16 am

Cool! There are some limited movements you can do with the camera, Alex. The front standard has rise, and you can drop the front bed too (comes in handy when using a wide angle lens).

PF

Yes! I practiced it a bit today... the camera is asking to clean and lube rails again

Julio1fer wrote: ↑

Sat Nov 09, 2019 12:09 pm

Very classic camera and nice lens set. Many historic pictures were taken with these cameras in the 20th century.

You are well into large format now! The Tri-X 320 is a nice bonus.

With the Tri-X 320 and the Optar calibrated with the rangefinder I can really go without tripod!!!

First shots with the focal plane shutter.

With Meopar 210mm


With Industar 51D, 210mm as well.


The case is that camera is over is blue, just for the record. Film is Fomapan 200 pushed to 400.

I logged in Graflex.org and I got some help, they recommend service to the focal plane shutter for a better performance, for now collecting info before starting with it.

Thank you for looking,
Alex

I lost my Speed Graphic a long time ago (long story), Alex, so I don't have much to tell you about it. The Crown Special I had I only did some Polaroids with it before it was sold in the auction, and those didn't come out very good. But that was a long time ago and I'm now more enlightened in the ways of using the beast. Since things are settling down a bit around here maybe I can get some practice in using the 23 roll back (6x9). Took a long time to find a frame mask for the viewfinder.

PF

I would expect the Fujinon lens to be a really good performer. The Meopar vs. Industar is an interesting comparison. Each is good in its own way.