Love to see how the pros do it with the Graflex. Got a really great 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 Speed Graphic a week ago. Got the case cleaned up and the flash wiring replaced and tested it tonight and it works great. Got the lens and shutter serviced. Now I’m just waiting for film to come so I can get shooting. This was a camera I bought from the granddaughter of the original owner, she said she is 55 and have never seen it used, I’m glad I’m giving it a second life and hopefully soon this one will be back doing what it was made to do. Thanks for the great video!

Love it! 4x5 is so on my list to at least try! Gotta say I love the simplicity of cameras that don't get in the way of creating images. Lovely video, well done gentlemen! ❤🎉

one other thing, these are rare!, in part due to the use of the flashguns as 'lightsabres' in the star wars franchise, so most have been 'mutilated' into that, so not many survive, intact, if at all.

Wow!  Somebody that knows not only what the camera is but how to use it.   Great I'm rather tired of seeing people that have never used one let along know anything about film photography.   Keep up the good work guys.  I've been shooting for 60+ years, don't forget Busch Precision Cameras ("the American Linhof")

Just this spring the Graflex 23 roll film served as great "training wheels" to get familiar with the Speed Graphic I bought last winter.  Taking baby steps into 4x5.

One advantage of the crown over the speed, is that you can use a wider angle lens on the crown. Just slightly, however.

Here in China we're seeing increasing number of mad lads shooting 4x5 portraits with crazy shallow DOF using lens like Aero Ektar 178mm f/2.5 or projector lenses wide open, and Speed Graphic is one of the only 2 ways to go as it has a focal plane shutter (the other being Smartflex 4x5 SLR).

Lovely to see your pictures from the two graflex cameras. I am waiting for a baby grafflex to arive form us, there are not many for sale in europe. Looking so much forward to trying it, af first i guess with paper negatives.

I guess I have to comment on this old thread.  I have only Crown Graphics and a Super Graphic with the Crowns being 2x3 and 4x5.  I have a slew of Dagor lenses mounted on metal boards for the 4x5s and three Schneiders of appropriate age on the baby boards.  All cameras are good image takers and I use them for appropriate stuff, all B/W.  I highly recommend any of the Graphic cameras having used Graflex Super D, the aforementioned Crowns and Super.  I don't have preferred models and just got a 3x4 Super D which I will use for portraits and selective focus subjects.  All I can add is that I recommend Graphics, all Graphics, and feel that they are better cameras than my Linhofs of similar format.  That's saying something.  Great video, very well presented and useful and it gives viewers a glimpse into the joys of using Graphic cameras.  Best.

nice video, thanks)

I still own one of my Speed Graphics from back in the day. Built in 1950 or 51. It has pride of place on a tripod in the corner of my office.

Front shutter still sounds good. FP shutter, too. That’s the camera I used in high school for yearbook pics, and trained with in U S Army photo school in 1956. Earned my living with them til about 1965, when roll color film took over. Workhorse gear.

Try another one here - I use a Mamiya 70mm back on my 23 Century with Agfa aerial film off E-bay.

Great episode !
I probably missed it being mentioned, but what film was being shot in the 4x5?  Thanks

Also, are the egg-shaped wheels supposed to happen while panning or not-panning?  If panning, was it with the direction of the movement of the focal plane shutter ... or against that shutter's movement ?? (of course the image is inverted in the camera, so this could get confusing ...)

Thanks! I’m right there with you guys.. I have quite a few Speed and Crown Graphics in 2x3, 3x4 and 4x5. One of my favorite cameras of this style is a Burke & James 3.25x4.25. I really enjoy fixing these old beauties and watching young photographers marvel at the brilliance of their design. Question: Do you develop your own film, or use a lab? I just subscribed to your channel and will be watching your content closely!

What nobody mentions, how heavy these are. The so inclined buyer thinks reporter camera = light. Not the case! No wonder the Rolleiflex was such a success.
Btw, between the 4x5" and 2x3" was also a 3,25x4,25". I have that. Already heavy, I dont want to know how heavy the 4x5" is.

Let me mention, I like heavy cameras. But the heaviness is nothing for me in the Graflex. Perpaps it is more cause of bad balance.

Hey Martin, How's things?  Love the video and the old camera.

I just inherited a mini speed graphic. Any tips on where to get the 2.25x3.25 film for it?

Hi Guys, I've got a minature spring back. How is it converted to a Graflok back to accommodate the RB67? is there a kit? been trawling the internet and can not find an answer. thanks

You guys think that you can put a digital back on it

LOL your motto: "Stolidis satis bonum" = "Good enough for the stupid ones."