Super Speed Graphic, cool?

[Alan Gales]

A real good friend of mine has a very clean Super Speed Graphic with a 1/1000 sec Optar lens. I think its cool due to being metal instead of wood and having a rotating back. These are two features that I really like. I'm trying to trade him out of it if possible. To me it seems much cooler than a Speed Graphic or Crown. I don't need a focal plane shutter. What do you all think?

[Frank Petronio]

Those 1/1000th leaf shutters were not known for being reliable or easy to repair. The bodies are nice though.

[joselsgil]

If you can purchase it from your friend for a sweet price and still remain friends. Go for it!

If it turns out that you don't like the camera, you can always sell it.

[Alan Gales]

Thanks Frank. I never knew about the shutters being unreliable and hard to repair. Like I said I'm trying to trade him out of it. I have offered him a digital Pentax spotmeter and he is thinking about it. I'd like to use a 210 and 135 mm with it. Are lens boards different than the regular Speed or Crown?

[John Kasaian]

I don't know about "cool" but I sure wouldn't mind having a Super Speed. As Frank points out, that shutter does have a bad reputation but you can mount about any lens/shutter that fits.
Deardorffs however, are definately cool!

[Frank Petronio]

You can shim Crown/Speed boards or find the proper boards with bumps on all four edges. Don't bother with the electric release nowadays....

[Alan Gales]

You can shim Crown/Speed boards or find the proper boards with bumps on all four edges. Don't bother with the electric release nowadays....

Thanks Frank. Shimming would be no problem. I just want cheap boards. I planned to use a regular cable release. Thanks for all the advice!

[Alan Gales]

Thanks joselsgil and John.

John, I know Deardorffs are definitely cool but I own a Wehman. Not as pretty but gets the job done. I also own a Tachihara 4x5 in mint- condition which I paid $650.00 brand new. I'm thinking about selling it due to the crazy prices they are going on Ebay lately. A cheap Super Speed is enticing!

[John Kasaian]

Thanks joselsgil and John.

John, I know Deardorffs are definitely cool but I own a Wehman. Not as pretty but gets the job done. I also own a Tachihara 4x5 in mint- condition which I paid $650.00 brand new. I'm thinking about selling it due to the crazy prices they are going on Ebay lately. A cheap Super Speed is enticing!

Whenever I think of the Supers, I think of---
http://graflex.org/articles/experiences/vacchiano/

[photobymike]

Whenever I think of the Supers, I think of---
http://graflex.org/articles/experiences/vacchiano/

Good article ... but the pictures ech.... like most photographers they over sharpen for the computer screen...

If you want to rotate or get some swings and tilts, there is a cheaper camera used that would fit the need.... Omega or Toyo .. 200 bucks and you can swing and tilt the cows come home... Whatever happen to the right tool for the job... why would you want your Graflex to do everything... where did that mentality come from.. I have a Canon F1 that i wish had a rotating back or could swing and tilt more.... Graflex is a great camera ..had a couple myself... Just cuz its a 4x5 with some features, does not mean it has to work like a Linhof <really great camera ... but big bucks... I just dont understand photographers that pay 300 hundred for a Crown or a Speed and then lament cuz they cant get a the swings and tilts they want.... its a Graflex ... !!

I knew a guy that could fix any car with pliers and a screw diver.... now that guy (Jack Sweet) was an artist....