1920s Cameras--What's Available?

[Two23]

I have a little collection of 1920s vintage lenses I generally use on my Chamonix 045n, and some on my Gundlach Korona 5x7. What I like about these lenses is they have competent shutters (Compound, Compur, Volute,) are uncoated, and give a nice period look. However, the ones I have generally have max shutter speeds of 1/150s. Usually this is fast enough for me, but I also like to use the lenses to photo action subjects--steam trains and steam threshing. I'm pretty limited in photo'ing moving trains with these lenses. I am aware there were cameras with focal plane shutters in the 20s, but know little about them. Thinking over my needs, I've come up with this list:

1. must be reasonably compact
2. prefer 4x5 or 120 (6x9)
3. under $500 for a good copy
4. able to be handheld or used on tripod
5. interchangeable lenses would be nice
6. not overly complicated
7. like to shoot both horizontals and verticals (not a deal killer though)

I'm first looking at cameras that would have been used in the Upper Midwest, but will also consider European models such as Zeiss Mirroflex (not sure I want to start yet another film format though--9x12.) Mostly what I think I want is a smaller camera with a focal plane shutter. The RB Graphlex are interesting, but look cumbersome. Not sure if they can be used on a tripod either. I'm aware of the Speed Graphic and that might be something I end up with by default. For some reason I've never really warmed to them, but a pristine 1920s copy might be cool! There is one other camera that's always intrigued me and that's the National Graphlex Series I or II. I like the small size, it takes 120, and it looks pretty cool. However, I've read they are very cumbersome for an amateur to use. I'm not sure if I'm an amateur though. I've been collecting and using cameras from the first 50 years of the 20th C for at least five years now. I have and use such oddities as the Ansco Memo and the Kodak Panoram with no trouble. So, what do you think?


Kent in SD

[LabRat]

Using a FP shutter would allow for faster speeds and would allow your older lenses to be used (if the leaf shutter worked or not), but be aware that the cameras with the oldest FP shutters are showing their age, and the very old ones will probably (or have) issues with the curtain, bellows etc, and require a major overhaul before regular to hard use... It is difficult at best to find replacement curtains, bellows and it might be limited to just a few speeds...

A late Pacemaker SG is probably your best bet, but some odd FP cameras have very complicated shutters that even the best techs would have quite a time servicing...

Most of the early cameras are better for display, or sometimes Sunday shooters...

Steve K

[Steven Tribe]

All the major German makers had a top-line version of their 9x12 and (especialy) 13x18cm camera range with FP shutters. This was just before most makers went into the Zeiss Ikon construction. Some cameras continued to be made by Zeiss Ikon even after 1926. You can use 5x7" film sheaths in 13x18cm plate cameras. The plethera of German FP cameras was due to the success of the Goetz Ango cameras.

There were also the SLR German/UK FP cameras, lead by Mentor. These were quite wonderful cameras, but my experience is that they do not age well due to the mirror mechanism and wear in the FP double curtain mechanism. I think the US Graphflex design is more reliable.

Remember that there were a range of front and rear loose FP shutters with could be bought as an "add-on" - some with quite fast speeds.

Roll film (120) backs are readily available for 9x12cm German cameras of this era.

[Two23]

Won't be using the camera all that much, just for shooting historical subjects. I see some Graflex RB and National Graflex on ebay that appear to be in pristine condition. The 3x4 and 2x3 size might be pretty small. Not sure how to scan a 3x4, although I could try just laying it on my Epson v700 as I do the 5x7 negs.


Kent in SD

[Mark Sampson]

Not sure if the National Graflex will take other lenses- I've only seen one once. An RB Graflex SLR would likely have been the tool of choice, back in the day. They are certainly usable on a tripod, and are still (relatively) common and quite rugged too. A 3x4 model adapted to take a 120 roll holder is probably your best bet. Can't comment about the many German cameras, finding the right one might be difficult though.

[John Kasaian]

O.Winston Link did a fair job on trains with a Speed Graphic. Just sayin'

[Two23]

O.Winston Link did a fair job on trains with a Speed Graphic. Just sayin'


Yeah, there is that. He's my hero! His camera(s) are in his museum. I wonder what model they are?


Kent in SD


Below photos:
Chamonix 045n,
Nikkor 90mm f4.5
Rodenstock 135mm f5.6
Acros

[John Kasaian]

Yeah, there is that. He's my hero! His camera(s) are in his museum. I wonder what model they are?


Kent in SD


Below photos:
Chamonix 045n,
Nikkor 90mm f4.5
Rodenstock 135mm f5.6
Acros

I'm pretty surehe also used a Linhoff at one time as well, but a Speeder should meet all the requirements you listed,

[jp]

For speed graphics, look for a preanniversary with either the popup optical viewfinder or no viewfinder atop the camera. The RB graflex or auto graflex would have been popular cameras then too but aren't suitable for use with normal to wide angle lenses.

[Mark Sampson]

O. Winston Link also used a Graflex Graphic View II. A fine machine, but a post-WWII camera, Then again, Link was working in the 1950s. And you will likely prefer something with a viewfinder for the work you have in mind.

[Two23]

O. Winston Link also used a Graflex Graphic View II. A fine machine, but a post-WWII camera, Then again, Link was working in the 1950s. And you will likely prefer something with a viewfinder for the work you have in mind.


I got to looking at two photos I have of Link & cameras, and they were both the Graphlex View. That makes sense since he would have needed more movements for some shots, and obviously wouldn't use the FP shutter for synced shots. So, I'm narrowing down to preanniversary Graphic, the little National Graphic, or maybe a Zeiss Miroflex. I'm in no hurry to buy but do a fair amount of research before I do. What would also work is to put a couple of my 1920s lenses into Copal 0 or 1, with 1/500s shutter.


Kent in SD

[LabRat]

Depends if you want a period prop or a shooter...

I'm restoring another Pacemaker SG right now to be able to use a 65mm f8 JML WA barrel lens, and my 400mm f4.5 Dally barrel (true telephoto) on it... It's nice that the drop bed with coupled inner body track makes it super easy to focus the WA, the tele is a nice combo with good extension, the FP shutter is a bit smoother than the older cameras and faster to set (with modern speed settings), have a Graflok back, and the curtains + bellows are possibly newer/later... And the camera can be opened quickly, and start shooting just by feel when in a hurry... Not so much movements, but the speed for shooting gives it an edge when there is something moving out there...

I think it would be very good for your trains...

Steve K