I purchased a Baby Speed Graphic this past weekend and have a question for anyone with knowledge of these cameras. After winding the crank on the right side of the camera and tripping the shutter to make sure this portion of the camera worked, the shutter has remained closed. How do I release the shutter so I can view through the ground glass again? This camera seems to be in very good condition and I plan on using it in the near future (once I figure out all the functions). If anyone could help me with this problem it would be greatly appreciated. Also, can you still buy film or will I have to cut my own from 120?

Tahnks in advance.

Kevin

-- Kevin B. Finigan (kfinigan@swbell.net), July 20, 1998

Answers

Graflex made two models of the smaller Speed Graphics, a 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 and a 2-1/4 x 3-1/4. If you have the larger you'll be stuck with Ilford black-and-white film. OK, so stuck isn't the best term here, but your choices will be limited. Check B&H for pricing.

If you have the smaller model with Graflock back you can get a roll film holder for about $150 (used) to $500 (new).

http://www.graflex.org/ has plenty of information and an excellent discussion board.

-- Darron Spohn (sspohn@concentric.net), July 22, 1998.

The speed graphic focal plane shutters use one winding knob to set the shutter speed for several speeds. There is a small window near the knob which will show the letter "O" and the numbers 1-5. When you see the number 5, for example, the spring is set to its highest tension, and highest speed. Hint, the is usually a table of shutter speed and tension settings somewhere on the camera body. Say the number 5 is showing, release the shutter, now you should see the number 4. Do it again, it should go to the number 4. Each time you release the shutter, it will operate at a slower speed. Continue until you see the "O" in the window, the shutter should be complely open. If you rewind the shutter, and go through this sequence while watching the curtin move, it's easy to see how the thing operates. Good luck.

-- Bill Moore (wmoore@provide.net), July 28, 1998.

Excellent information on all the Graflex cameras at:

www.graflex.org

-- Tony Brent (ajbrent@mich.com), September 12, 1998.