Help Identifying Graflex Speed Graphic.

[PhotoWrangler]

For those of you from Apug, bear with me.

To put it shortly, I recently purchased a photographers collection. It included this Speed Graphic which he said was last used about 4 years ago. He originally said that it was a 4x5, but the film holders that came with it are 3 1/4x4 1/4. I did not notice this until after I purchased it. Someone on Apug said that it looks like a pre-anniversary model, but there are no name plates or model numbers present on it. It did come with two lenses, one with a top shutter speed of 1/200th (pictures) and another Wollensak with a top shutter speed of 1/100th f/3.5.

I have looked on the Graflex website, and I'm still trying to make sense, but as I am completely unfamiliar with these cameras it's a bit overwhelming. Just trying to figure out how to open the camera was a task in itself - I didn't realize the hidden lock button was on top.


Can anyone provide a definitive model on this one? Or tell me more about it.

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[PhotoWrangler]

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[BrianShaw]

Anniversary model, after the 1940 model year. (The speed plate was on top for the first - 1940 - year of production, then moved to the side.)

[PhotoWrangler]

He stated that it was a 4x5, but the film holders are 3.25x4.25. Is he just mistaken, or can a 4x5 actually shoot 3.25x4.25 film holders?

[Jim Jones]

He stated that it was a 4x5, but the film holders are 3.25x4.25. Is he just mistaken, or can a 4x5 actually shoot 3.25x4.25 film holders?

no such luck.

[BrianShaw]

Measure the back to determin if it is 3x4 or 4x5. He could be mistaken but a ruler will clear that up fast. It looks like a 4x5 to me, but sometimes photos can be deceaving.

I don't know for sure, but I doubt you could use a 3x4 holder in a 4x5. Anyway, there is no 3x4 film available anymore that I know of.

[PhotoWrangler]

I measured the back last night. It is in fact a 4x5, but all the film holders are 3.25x4.25. I don't know how he used it, or if he has the correct size film holders elsewhere and just grabbed the wrong ones, but I plan to ask him today.

I assume I can pick up some 4x5 double sided film holders on eBay or something, and they will work with this back? A preliminary search of eBay shows Fidelity as a popular brand.

You can see in the first picture, the gap that is showing between the body and the film holder.

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[BrianShaw]

Let me say... he didn't use the camera wit those film holders. Either they were for another camera or he go them (or his facts) a bit mixed up. Buy some 4x5 holders and start using the camera. Brand doesn't matter, jsut that they are lgiht-tight.

[PhotoWrangler]

I just picked up 5 Fidelity Elite holders on ebay for $30.

In the lot of stuff that I purchased there is another Graflex body, but I dont know what kind. It doesn't have a lens board, a back, or a finder... its just the rails, bellows, and body.

[BrianShaw]

Great buy on the holders!