Olympus-OM
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [OM] [OT] Trying the whole Graflex thing again

Subject: Re: [OM] [OT] Trying the whole Graflex thing again
From: "Tom Trottier" <Tom@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 02 Oct 2002 08:53:59 -0400
Or get a 6x7 Koni-Omega with 3 excellent lenses, flash sync to 1/500,  
and a rangefinder for under $600 - but you have give up the bellows and 
closeups.

tOM

On Wednesday, October 02, 2002 at 21:51, Wayne Katez 
<olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote re "Re: [OM] [OT] Trying the whole Graflex thing agai" saying:

> Mark,
> Graflex Graphic cameras are wonderful, versatile cameras that can 
> produce great results when used properly. With one you can do wide angle 
> scenics, telephoto shots, astro photography, 1:1 macro and everything in 
> between. Unfortunately, the autoexposure/autofocus computer is YOU.
> 
> You can learn a lot about the different Graflex camera variations, 
> lenses, accessories and technique at the graflex.org web site. There are 
> reference articles, tables, links and extensive user help forums.
> 
> There is an excellent book by Morgan and Lester titled "Graphic Graflex 
> Photography". It is the "bible" of graflex / graphic photography and 
> found regularly on ebay. My other suggestion would be to get your hands 
> on a 1960's era military photographers manual ( ex. US Navy 
> Photographer's Mate I) these were very comprehensive training manuals 
> that used the graflex 4x5 as the mainstay camera.
> 
> Unless you have your own darkroom, are sleeping with the owner of a 
> custom lab, or are extremely wealthy I would suggest you look at the 
> Crown Graphic or Century Graphic in 6x9 (2x3)  format. Here's why:
> 1. 4x5 sheet film is expensive.
> 2. Processing 4x5 sheet film is expensive. 120 roll film can be machine 
> souped many more places with more consistent results.
> 3. True, you can use a reducing 6x9 roll film back on the 4x5, but then 
> you use only the center portion of your image changing the effective 
> focal length of your lens.
> 4. The 4x5 is bigger and heavier than the 6x9.
> 5. A dozen 4x5 sheet film holders only give you 24 shots and weigh the 
> same as a 6x9 roll film holder and 20 rolls of film (20x10 = 200 shots).
> 6. There are a many low cost / high quality lenses available for the 6x9 
> cameras and many available roll film backs (6x9, 6x7, 6x6 & 70 mm) at 
> reasonable cost because of the US military's recent dumping of most of 
> it Graphic XL cameras ( the roll backs are interchangeable with the 6x9 
> graflok back).
> 7. The Crown and Century models have the graflok back and do not have 
> the added weight of the focal plane shutter found on the Speed Graphic. 
> Also, the Speed Graphic can not be used with the 47 mm or 65 mm 
> Schneider wide angle lenses because of bellows compression.
> 7 Did I mention that 4x5 sheet film is expensive?
> 
> About eBay,  you'll find a lot of Graphic cameras that have been "rode 
> hard and put away wet" and some real jewels that go for much less that 
> they are worth.
> 
> I have put together a lightweight "field" kit that includes a mint+++ 
> 6x9 Crown Graphic, a Exc+ 6x9 Century Graphic, a Exc 65 mm Schneider 
> wide angle lens, a Mint 80 mm Schneider Xenar f:2.8 "normal" lens and a 
> Exc. Schneider Xenar 150 mm telephoto - all for under $1000, and all 
> from eBay. You just have to be informed before you bid.
> 
> Finally, the image quality produced (with your skill) is damned near 
> indistinguishable from my previously owned Rollei or Hassies, and they 
> are just fun to use.
> 
> Hope this info helps,
> Wayne

------- Quidquid latine dictum sit altum viditur -----------------
   ,__@ tOM A. Trottier +1 613 860-6633 fax:231-6115
 _-\_<, 758 Albert St.,Ottawa ON Canada K1R 7V8 
(*)/'(*)        ICQ:57647974 N45.412 W75.714
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Laws are the spider's webs which, 
if anything small falls into them they ensnare it, 
but large things break through and escape.
        --Anacharsis, Scythia (~600 BCE)


< This message was delivered via the Olympus Mailing List >
< For questions, mailto:owner-olympus@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >
< Web Page: http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright/olympuslist.html >


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
Sponsored by Tako
Impressum | Datenschutz