Buying a Crown Graphic

**Frank Petronio** · 15-Jun-2012, 16:28

The other popular lens that were bundled with them were actually considered better than the Schneider Xenar back in the day - the Kodak Ektar had the best reputation, the Optar was no slouch at all. For all practical purposes they are the same quality, so you'd want to get one in the nicest shape and with a properly working shutter. Chances are that any shutter that has been sitting in an attic for 40-plus years is gummy and any rangefinder will be dirty, so getting things cleaned up and running right could cost as much as the camera. That's why it is usually best to buy the prettiest one even if you don't care about cosmetics (it may well be gummed up too but it takes less to get it running again). I guess the absolute best one to buy is one from another photographer who was using it (and is honest, haha).

**jp498** · 17-Jun-2012, 04:43

Crowns can go a little higher price than speeds for perhaps being a tiny bit lighter. In order to get $300, this one's lens shutter should operate properly at all speeds, which isn't common, and it should have a graflok back.

If you ever want to shoot instant film, a graflok back is needed for the bigger film holder. Or roll film, it makes senses too, since it easily unhooks to change backs. If you just want so shoot normal 4x5 film, the graflok isn't important. The metal hood like this has is very nice though compared to some of the ones with cloth sides like on a pre-war graflex. WWII and after speeds have or can have the metal hood.

I like speed graphics so I can have the focal plane shutter for more lens options.

The camera pictured or a pacemaker speed graphic have the same front standard, which is modifiable to front tilt the other opposite way.

**Jim Jones** · 17-Jun-2012, 05:57

The Speed Graphic wasn't the only press camera made in America. The Burke & James had a metal body instead of the leather covered wood of most Graphics, and had a rotating back like the Super Graphic. None of the B&Js had a focal plane shutter or the extensive range of accessories of the Graphics. Build quality was better in the Speed Graphic. The Busch was another metal body press camera. Options for lenses was limited by its rather small lens board that, unlike old Anniversary Speed Graphics, is rare and somewhat difficult to fabricate. Then there were the MPP camera made in England, the Linhof from Germany, and a few from Japan. They can be expensive. Any of these cameras are a good introduction into large format photography. The Graphic is probably the best choice in America.

**Ivan J. Eberle** · 17-Jun-2012, 07:29

I had a Super Graphic for a time, which has more numerous and more extensive moves than a Crown, yet is somewhat limited by it's handling of wide angle lenses (the inner track is not linked to the focusing on the bed, as is the Crown). Other than that one thing I found it to be a much more feature laden camera (Graflok, cammed RF that's accurate, rotating back, swings, shifts, tilt front and back). But personally, I never really warmed up to it as I had another folder I like better (Meridian 45B). Super Graphics sell for sub-$300 on eBay sometimes.