Opinions on grafmatic

[IanG]

I have 3, my first was rather problematic probably why the seller got rid of it . It works fine with 5 sheathes but nit six and that put me off.

Last year I bough two more Wray Grafmatics, both are in far better condition - one is in its original box with the instructions. Most here won't realise that they were also made in the UK under licence, or that John Thornton after being ousted from Thornton Pickard in his latter years lived off his film pack Royalites from Eastman Kodak.

The Wray Grafmatics were made fter WWII at a time when imports to the UK were very heavily restricted, so no Pacemaker Graphics but an MPP MicroPress which was effectivelya UK Speed Graphic with mostly US parts, they could be imported.

Ian

[Greg]

Years ago bought and used 2 Grafmatics that cosmetically looked like new and were in their original boxes. Didn't test them but just started to use them. From the first batch of film, discovered that both leaked light. Fortunately was able to return them. Definitely run a test for light leaks before using a Grafmatic no matter how good it cosmetically looks.

[jesse1996]

thanks for the insight guys! I may just go with a few toyo holders since i always hear great things about them.

[Drew Bedo]

Grafmatics are a good idea for some types of shooting. Thousands were made and they are plentiful on the used market.

just wish someone would make a new version with modern materials.

[Mark Sampson]

Having some experience with Grafmatics, I've given them up. My procedure wasn't always perfect, leading to bent septums and lost images. I didn't like the frame counter in the image (although you can remove them). My real problem was the effort needed to cycle the holder in the camera- the lightweight camera and tripod I used then would shift and change my composition. Norman McGrath was the teacher who introduced me to their use; but he had a Sinar and a big tripod, so stability was not an issue. I imagine that they were designed for photojournalists shooting hand-held (with Speed Graphics, naturally), for which they were well-suited. What I miss is Tri-X Pan in filmpack, that was the ultimate in ease and portability. Gone for over 20 years though.

[EdSawyer]

I have 8 of them, and use them as my only 4x5 holders for regular film (not counting polaroid/fujiroid of course). I find them great, really excellent devices. Finding good ones takes some time, expect to pay $50-90/ea for them. Most need a CLA upon arrival. I've had to reglue light traps in a couple. There's manuals for them online, including repair manuals. I remove the counter wheels from all of mine, it's an easy reversible modification.

[jnantz]

thanks for the insight guys! I may just go with a few toyo holders since i always hear great things about them.

before you buy toyo holders take a look at this thread
http://www.largeformatphotography.in...-4x5-negatives

[Neal Chaves]

Like so many photographers who have worked in large format over the years, I had my own fling with them in the 1980s. I was doing some aerial black and white work overwith a 4X5 Technika and models in the studio with Technika and a Super D. I won't go into the possibilities of malfunctions, which are always present and must be taken into consideration. Out of the air, I found no real advantage over a standard double-cut film holder. Usually on each pass there is only time for one or two exposures. The double-cut film holder can be changed out nearly as fast as the Grafmatic can be operated. In the studio, there was no advantage and the downside was unacceptable. There is always interest in these devices they hold their price and are easy to sell.

[ScottPhotoCo]

I bought mine specifically to use with my Graflex SLR's and they are perfect for that. As it's an SLR I don't have to remove them to focus. I've only ever had one (out of 7) jam on me and I had several with me so it wasn't a big deal. I, for one, dig mine.




Tim
www.ScottPhoto.co

[Jim Andrada]

And I really like the number dial. YMMV of course. I guess it depends on how tightly you compose. I try not to compose tightly because I always wind up wanting to crop the image after I stare at it for a week or two.