Hello friends,

I am a new member of this great forum, and am from the UK. I would very much like to own and use a Speed or Century Graphic. I have a severe physical disability, which means I have good use of my right hand but not my left. The weight of the camera would be no problem, but I would need to release the shutter and focus with my right hand. I would hope to use it with a 6x9 or 6x7 back. I have always liked rangefinders and opposed to TLR's and such. Any comments of the best model of Graflex for me, and how I might best purchase it would be great. It would need to be in good working condition as I am physically unable to do my own repairs. Please help me if you can,I have always wanted to own and use a Graflex Press Camera.

Thanks a lot.
John Winfield

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Wheelie111 on 2004-07-11 07:00 ]</font>

Quote:

On 2004-07-11 06:59, Wheelie111 wrote: Hello friends, I am a new member of this great forum, and am from the UK. I would very much like to own and use a Speed or Century Graphic. I have a severe physical disability, which means I have good use of my right hand but not my left. The weight of the camera would be no problem, but I would need to release the shutter and focus with my right hand. I would hope to use it with a 6x9 or 6x7 back. I have always liked rangefinders and opposed to TLR's and such. Any comments of the best model of Graflex for me, and how I might best purchase it would be great. It would need to be in good working condition as I am physically unable to do my own repairs. Please help me if you can,I have always wanted to own and use a Graflex Press Camera. Thanks a lot. John Winfield <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Wheelie111 on 2004-07-11 07:00 ]</font>

Hi John
I've read your comments and the first thing that came to mind is that you really need a company or friend in the UK to help you on your way. I have bought and sold Speed and Crown graphics over a thirty year period and I have yet found one that didn't need, at least, some repair. I doubt if you'll have any better luck. There are several forum members from the UK that may be able to guide you. Without local help you are really fighting an uphill battle.
Everyone has an opinion and I'm no exception. I sold my Speeds and kept my trusty 4x5 Crown Graphic. I have a number of backs and the one I prefer is the C2N(6x7) but even that required a simple repair and cleaning.
Okay, first find someone at the local level to help and then look to buy!
Harry
There is some real good reading on this forum. Be sure and feel free to ask more questions as you move through the shopping and learning process.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: worldphoto on 2004-07-11 08:27 ]</font>

Quote:

On 2004-07-11 06:59, Wheelie111 wrote: Hello friends, I am a new member of this great forum, and am from the UK. I would very much like to own and use a Speed or Century Graphic. I have a severe physical disability, which means I have good use of my right hand but not my left. The weight of the camera would be no problem, but I would need to release the shutter and focus with my right hand. I would hope to use it with a 6x9 or 6x7 back. I have always liked rangefinders and opposed to TLR's and such. Any comments of the best model of Graflex for me, and how I might best purchase it would be great. It would need to be in good working condition as I am physically unable to do my own repairs. Please help me if you can,I have always wanted to own and use a Graflex Press Camera. Thanks a lot. John Winfield <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Wheelie111 on 2004-07-11 07:00 ]</font>

John, opinions will differ. All Graphics can be held with the left hand. All have focusing knobs on the right side of the rail. At worst, a cable release for a leaf shutter can be operated with the right hand. At the best -- Pacemaker Speed or Crown -- the body release can be operated with the right hand. Roll holders can be operated with the right hand.

All that said, remember that for RF focusing only the top RF 4x5 Pacemakers -- among them, Crowns are easier to find than Speeds -- will allow easy use of the RF with more than one lens, and changing the cam requires some dexterity.

If you can live with that restriction or with only a normal lens, or feel up to focusing on the ground glass when not using a normal lens, then any 4x5 or 2x3 Pacemaker including a Century would work for you. Since you want to shoot roll film, a 2x3 with Graflok back would probably be best.

I understand that Fred Lustig is no longer accepting cameras for service. He happens to have an enormous collection of Graphics. So he might, great stress might, be willing to sell you one that he's already made good. Alternatively, discuss your needs with Midwest Photo Exchange. They may be willing to find a good 'un for you.

Good luck, cheers,

Dan

The thing I thought of immediately is to use a Century or Crown Graphic which has a solenoid mounted on the lens board. That, plugged into a Graflite battery case, would give you right hand electronic shutter release. The battery case will also give you a method of holding the camera in the right hand. You don't have to bother with the reflector if you're not going to use flash. Or, you can attach a shoe to the top of the case and use an electronic flash there.

I've seen very few Century Graphics with the solenoid, and few 23 Crowns with it, but 45 Pacemaker Crowns with a lens and solenoid are common. Just add a roll film back and you are good to go. Since a solenoid won't work with a focal plane shutter, look for a Crown. As a bonus, they're lighter than a Speed too.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: alecj on 2004-07-11 10:10 ]</font>

email me direct at
bsaunders1@bak.rr.com
Bert

Drop me a note at gglass@satinsnowglass.com

Dave

John, your email address has been rejected??
Please contact me again!
Bert