Graflex.org

Cessnapilot89 · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

Hi Everyone,

Just purchased a Speed Graphic SN 820973 with a Kodak Ektar f4.7 lens to experiment with and learn how to use a large format camera. Can anyone give me some advice or tips for using it?

bruiser · Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Posts: 260

Hi there and welcome!

You have a lovely 1948 camera! A lot depends on what your camera is equipped with and what you would like to shoot. B&W or color sheet film? Polaroid film with a Polaroid 545 or similar? If your camera has a retro-fitted Graflok back you can shoot 120 roll film with the appropriate roll film holder.

This probably sounds obvious but if you can buy a 1948 or thereabouts Graphic Graflex Photography or other photography book featuring your camera you will soon be immersed in a time warp that gives great detail on camera use, film types and other wonderful information. Check the big auction site or Amazon.

Cheers,
Bruce

C. Henry · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 360

Shutterfinger's "Not the Serial Number Book list But.." lists serial number 820534 as a "4x5 pacemaker speed - 1948" and serial number 820986 as a "4x5 pacemaker speed - 1949".
Assuming that the Ektar lens is the original lens the exact year can be determined from the first two characters of the lens serial number. "EI" would be 1948 while "ET" would be 1949.
In addition to Bruiser's advice I would suggest trying to acquire a copy of the owner's manual for Graflex Pacemaker cameras. I purchased my copy from Pacific Rim Camera in Salem OR. (www.PacificRimCamera.com)
One caution: some sellers on the auction site offer "Reprint"s that are nothing more than average quality copies produced on ordinary office copying machines!

C. Henry

Cessnapilot89 · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks guys for the help! Right now I am shooting black and white sheet film that I can develop and print at my college. Id like to save up and eventually obtain all the equipment i will need to process it at home.

Shutter seems to work great. It also came with 6 film holders. I am hoping to take my first pictures with it tomorrow.

45PSS · Joined: 28 Sep 2001 Posts: 4081

Why buy an instruction manual when you can download one for free?
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/graflex_5.html
Right click each page in the left plane and select save picture as (Win. IE).
Lots of other interesting camera catalogs and manuals also.
http://www.cameraeccentric.com/info.html

C. Henry · Joined: 13 Dec 2005 Posts: 360

Charles;

Thanks for the info. I was unaware of that resource!

Cessnapilot89;

This is the beauty of Help Board! Many of us can build on others suggestions to give a better answer than any one of us alone.

C. Henry

Billy Canuck · Joined: 04 Apr 2006 Posts: 165

Congratulations, cessnapilot!

I have a Speed just like yours (one year older). There is another site run by Mike Butkus which also has the manual for the Pacemakers. It's in PDF form, so it's easier to print. Here's the link:
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/pacemaker_graphic_speed_crown/pacemaker_graphic_speed_crown.htm
Mike asks for a contribution of $3, which I think is very reasonable. He provides a great service.

Cessnapilot89 · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

Thanks Everyone for the help! I am really excited to start using it. Anyone know where I can find a used light meter?

45PSS · Joined: 28 Sep 2001 Posts: 4081

local camera store(s); ebay; http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/where-to-get.html#CommercialSites (may have dead links but some are good).

Cessnapilot89 · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

thanks everyone! I just shot my first few exposures with it yesterday and will get to develop it Monday at school. I was using my 35mm as a light meter. I am hoping to take it to alcatraz with me next week as part of my photography homework

pv17vv · Joined: 22 Dec 2001 Posts: 255

When you're done, please tell us about the reactions of people who saw you at work : your co-students, onlookers and so on. Might be fun to know. There was a thread about this someday.
:wink:

45PSS · Joined: 28 Sep 2001 Posts: 4081

Sounds like you may live in the area so, Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto is currently the best camera store in the bay area.
Enjoy Alcatraz.

Cessnapilot89 · Joined: 22 Oct 2009 Posts: 6

WOW! This takes gorgeous photos! Developed the shots from Alcatraz this week in class and man am I impressed. Where is a good source for film holders?

awldune · Joined: 11 Nov 2009 Posts: 21

If you watch ebay you should see groups of holders for sale sometimes. You should be able to get 5 for $30 or thereabouts. Don't spend much more than $5-6 per holder. More or less any 4x5 holder should be fine.

mitchB · Joined: 14 Nov 2009 Posts: 20

Cessnapilot89 wrote:

WOW! This takes gorgeous photos! Developed the shots from Alcatraz this week in class and man am I impressed. Where is a good source for film holders?

Well come on Cessnapilot89, don't keep us in suspense, show us your homework or is it handywork?

Mitch