Got my Graflex

[leonardobarreto.com]

http://leonardobarreto.com/WEB/index.htm

I got this from eBay as a 50th b'day present from my wife. It was under $200 and has a nice Schnaeider 100mm I will test drive it the weekend and tell you about it. The idea is to shoot personal work with it. Probably c-print and enlarge or scan....

 

[Asher Kelman]

Well, Leonardo!

Is there a rangefinder work and do you know how to adjust it for different lenses?

We are looking forward to pictures! So what lenses do you have now? Does it come with a longer lens? Also is there a Polaorid /rediload adapter?

Asher

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

It came with the Xenar 1:3,5/100 Schneider-Kreuznach. My idea was to convert it to 4x5 changing the back and using a 135 that is a wider than normal lens for that format. But when I saw the way it came with a nice normal lens and set up for 120 film on 6x9, the decided to give it a try as is.

This project is an exercise in zen restrain, so no zoom or lens changing -- not even deviating from landscape position --.

The way to focus is like a view camera, using a focusing glass. What I may do is use my Lumix as a range finder (for example, to frame the moving ships that I want to shoot)

It is a good equipment for going on a bicycle because is small and light. I have a carbon tripod that makes perfect team with it.

Any way, it is a good b'day present ..

 

[Jack_Flesher]

I think what you have is often referred to as a "baby" Graflex (the 4x5 appears larger). LOTS of info on the web regarding Graflex cameras, modifications to them, etc. I've never owned one, but have friends that are really into them -- Enjoy!

Cheers,

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

Yes, this is a Graflex baby. Also It has the name Century

 

[Asher Kelman]

Will Thompson has one in almost new condition, a gem!

Asher

 

[Klaus Esser]

http://leonardobarreto.com/WEB/index.htm

I got this from eBay as a 50th b'day present from my wife. It was under $200 and has a nice Schnaeider 100mm I will test drive it the weekend and tell you about it. The idea is to shoot personal work with it. Probably c-print and enlarge or scan....

Hi Leonard!

GORGEOUS! Beautyful! Forget with 4x5" - you would have to destroy that beauty!
Better invest in a first-class lens.

best, Klaus

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

Klaus, what do you have in mind. This is a 100mm Schneider-Kreuznach, that for the 6x9 would be a bit wider than normal. I have no idea what lenses are there for this format.

I wilL NOT, after all, convert this one to 4x5, first of all because the back seams to be built in to the body in this "mahoganite" -- a word that does't come up in Wikipedia --. And second because it is cute the way it is.

The only wish It had is the focusing range finder...

I will post images as soon as I get the negs developed. By the way, when I went to buy film for it at Calumet --all other stores where already closed for Sabbath -- there was only two rolls of 120 film in ASA 100 in the entire film cabinet of this major pro New York camera store at the moment ! 2 rolls. (they had some e-6, though)

So, for the film lovers: PREPARE; THER WORLD'S (OF FILM) END IS NEAR

 

[Deleted member 55]

Hey Leonardo,

Cool camera, If you need to add a range finder all you have to do is get a junker graflex pacemaker and move the RF, linkage, and cam. Just make shure you get the cam for the focal length of your lense.

Here are some photos of my Baby Graflex's

They are all pre sale ebay photos from my archive.

 

[Deleted member 55]

And here are the 4 must have accys. for the Baby.

 

[Deleted member 55]

I allmost forgot, When 8x10 Grandpa Kodak 2-D needs to act like a Baby 2x3, You will needs this!

And YES I own every item in the posted photos.

 

[Deleted member 55]

Leonardo, Do I remember correctly that you are looking for a 4x5 Graflex at the right price? (cheep to free)

 

[Deleted member 55]

Leonardo, Do you have a photo of the back? I can not see if it has a graflock type of back.

 

[Klaus Esser]

Klaus, what do you have in mind. This is a 100mm Schneider-Kreuznach, that for the 6x9 would be a bit wider than normal. I have no idea what lenses are there for this format.

So, for the film lovers: PREPARE; THER WORLD'S (OF FILM) END IS NEAR

Leonardo, what would be a very fine lens for this format is a 65mm SuperAngulon or even - if the construction allowes ! - a 58mm Biogon or a 47mm SuperAngulon.
These wideangles will give you a kick . . - because the 6x9-size in my eyes demands a wide-angle.

best and have fun with this beautyful camera (and don´t worry about film - at the Calumet-shops over here they have plenty of 120. . - they´re still in production and will be for quite a time),
Klaus

P.S.: try a Fuji Velvia at 50ASA - it´s far beyond affordable digital with a good 6x9 . . .

 

[Doug Kerr]

Your new Century Graphic

Hi, Leonardo,

http://leonardobarreto.com/WEB/index.htm

I got this from eBay as a 50th b'day present from my wife. It was under $200 and has a nice Schnaeider 100mm I will test drive it the weekend and tell you about it. The idea is to shoot personal work with it. Probably c-print and enlarge or scan....

Congratulations!

This is a Century Graphic, which only existed in the 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 format size. It has a molded phenolic body ("Mahoganite"). It is essentially a lower-cost version of what is colloquially called a "Baby Crown Graphic", the 2-1/4 x 3-1/4 size of the Pacemaker Crown Graphic.

The Crown Graphic (like your Century Graphic) differs from the Speed Graphic in not having a focal plane shutter.

The Century Graphic was made from 1949 through 1970.

This will give you a quick start into understanding this machine:

http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/century-graphic.html

 

[Doug Kerr]

Graflok back

Hi, Will,

Leonardo, Do you have a photo of the back? I can not see if it has a graflock type of back.

The Century Graphic has an integral Graflok-type back (the back cannot be replaced, short of surgery).

Best regards,

Doug

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

As a matter of fact, I need the "23" rollfilm back, the one that came with the camera is 6x6 and a bit cranky. Anyone has one for about $20? --I saw one for $50 with the Singer brand and a one action lever. I think that Singer purchased Graflex some time in the future. I wonder if they regretted their move.

I don't know how deep I want to go in to this system. I think that I will start my project and may move to 8x10 if things look good. Since this is personal work, I can't go crazy shopping.

I remember now, the next tread will be about the 8x10 I made -- and, no, it is not from a kit, but original hybrid, part monorail, wood, aluminum,-- when I was living in japan... and the best lenss go get. (stupidly I sold the G-Claron that I had)

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

P.S.: try a Fuji Velvia at 50ASA - it´s far beyond affordable digital with a good 6x9 . . . [/QUOTE]

I did the original series 15 years ago in Tokyo with Velvia 4x5 transparency. I have a selected 35 images that were exhibited as a one man show in Fujifilm's Pro gallery in Ginza, Tokyo (they have another non pro gallery) and they printed the images in Fujifilm's lab. I like the feel of velvia and the resolution of a 4x5 transparency is fantastic, but what fuji people did has given me to think up until today. Instead of printing directly from the Velvia transparency they made internegatives -- and they did really good ones, that I have, with the sandwich method-- and went alone to print from c-negs.

Doesn't that negate the idea of shooting transparency? I don't know, but if Fuji suggested that they probably had a reason why. Of course, now there is the entire digital world that did not existed then.

So the question du jour is: in the digital era, is there a difference in IQ if I shoot transparency as opposed to C-neg, or vice versa?

In terms of practicality I'm thinking to shoot C-negs and develop at my local printer -- i know that dunk tank is better, but..-- so that I get negatives for my "daylies", and I may even print directly on C-paper...

 

[Klaus Esser]

P.S.: try a Fuji Velvia at 50ASA - it´s far beyond affordable digital with a good 6x9 . . .

I did the original series 15 years ago in Tokyo with Velvia 4x5 transparency. I have a selected 35 images that were exhibited as a one man show in Fujifilm's Pro gallery in Ginza, Tokyo (they have another non pro gallery) and they printed the images in Fujifilm's lab. I like the feel of velvia and the resolution of a 4x5 transparency is fantastic, but what fuji people did has given me to think up until today. Instead of printing directly from the Velvia transparency they made internegatives -- and they did really good ones, that I have, with the sandwich method-- and went alone to print from c-negs.

Doesn't that negate the idea of shooting transparency? I don't know, but if Fuji suggested that they probably had a reason why. Of course, now there is the entire digital world that did not existed then.

So the question du jour is: in the digital era, is there a difference in IQ if I shoot transparency as opposed to C-neg, or vice versa?

In terms of practicality I'm thinking to shoot C-negs and develop at my local printer -- i know that dunk tank is better, but..-- so that I get negatives for my "daylies", and I may even print directly on C-paper...[/QUOTE]



Hi Leonardo!

"Those times" we did "internegatives" from transparencies to get them enlarged onto paper. I learned that in my photographic education - the top level were "Dye-Tranfers", some kind of alchemy and with extreme quality. A process which let us control colours, contrast and so on a bit like we do it by clicking a mouse in Photoshop today . . but we did that by making R,G,B and black/grey-film from a tranny, coloured it and printed it on a special paper, where the dye tranferred to the paper.

Nowadays we scan the trannies and handle it in PS and print it onto paper or film . .

Making internegatives for enlarging transparencies allow to control colours and contrasts by masking a.s.o.
You can make a kind of DRI or HDR by extracting very different luminance and crominance from one tranny and merge them to DRI or HDR. The dynamic which is in a good tranny is real big and a drum-scanner can read it´s full range.

best, Klaus

P.S. - just to get an idea:
http://ctein.com/dyetrans.htm
http://www.dyetransfer.org/

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

I will post a photo of the sunset (not really fan of sunsets, but...) out my window today MAY_6_07 I developed quickly the RAW from the P 25 and sandwiched two layers with different exposures. I think that there is not perfect match because I was using a tripod not very secured, and I just cut the top layer with the "erase" tool and a "new effect" came out.

I think that the thing that I want to explore more is photography with high dynamic range.

Any way, I just had to post it even if is off topic etc.

 

[Deleted member 55]

Leonardo, I found the focus plate assy that I spoke to you on the phone about, with the folding hood even, for your Baby century. I will ship it and the 4x5 when I get a chance at work, hopefully this week.

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

Will, you are the best. I enjoyed talking to you on the phone. I made some progress since then.

Sunday I shot one roll of c-neg in the apartment to test the focusing accuracy and the film displacement -- I'm shooting with a 6x6 film back that has the case of a 6x9 but the crank mechanism of the 6x6 by rotating two times the knob and disregarding the numbers-- and monday I dropped the film at my local photo store (Ben Ness Photo & Digital) for development only.

Then I went in the W Train to the Staten Island Ferry and on to a short bus ride. I had the smallest of Donkey bags they make, and my carbon tripod -- probably the big ball head is heavier than the legs -- and was coming in the bus, that travels in a road parallel to the water way, a perfect container ship. Just what I wanted, but... not on time to prime my baby Century and shoot it.

But the conditions where good. I found the spot where you see sufficient of the water and no high buildings in the background (I want the ship to have blue on top and bottom) but waited and waited and nothing.

At the end of the morning the wait was justified by the passing of a gigantic roll in roll out car transport ship.

The baby Century was leveled with my bubble leveler, the little Schneider 100mm was shifted up so that other shore was bellow the middle line on my focusing glass, and I shot, and shot.

It is awesome to see something so big pass in front of you so close. It filled the entire angle of view of the lens, but since this is a non-digital photography, I have no idea what exactly will come out. Will it be focused? moved? (I used 125/s f:16) Doesn't matter because I already saw the beast in the eye and I know we can work together... LOL

So, Will, the gadgets you send will be used to shoot this whales of steal...

 

[Klaus Esser]

Hi Leonardo!

Very nice shot - looks a bit like a light brush . .

best, Klaus

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

Ok, here is a sketch of what I want to do. This is a photo I took with my LUMIX family camera (pointandshoot) of the 6x9 transparency. As you see I have no scanner and I'm completely unprepared for film any more. --Luckily I had a lightbox--

The lens is too wide for the ship(s) but the effect there are several things that work well even from this point and low res. First, the idea of cutting the head and tale of this "fish" works for me because the viewer gets disconcerted on the dimensions and proportions of the ting.

Probably the best way would be to shoot more or less tight with a 4x5 and then crop, or same with 8x10..

 

[Doug Kerr]

What a trail

Hi, Leonardo,

First, let me mention that the "sunset" picture you posted is exquisite.

Now let me tell you what you started. Will Thompson asked you for a picture of the Graflok back on your Century Graphic would take the focusing plate he had that he thought you might be able to use. Then he called me (in the middle of dinner) and asked if I had a picture of the back on a Century Graphic (for the same reason). I said I didn't, but could probably find one.

My first try was to look for a Century Graphic on sale at auction (NAS - not at Sotheby's) and hope that the seller had a good shot of the back. I found one, and there was indeed a nice picture of the back. So I snagged it and sent it to Will.

Then I realized that the camera in the listing looked so nice I told my wife Carla about it, and mentioned that your wife had bought you a Century Graphic for your birthday. We decided that one would be nice for my birthday, too (71 today!), so we bid on it and got it!

So, thanks! You too, Will!

Best regards,

Doug

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

CONGRATULATIONS !! for your b'day and for your new Baby, now we have separated twins. Can I be the good father?

Say hi to Carla and tell her that made a good choice.

Now the price of Centuries is probably going up.. Can you send the link to the eBay page to see how much better and cheaper your camera is compared to mine?

One more question, is there a Polaroid back for our cameras?

See you Doug

Leonardo
http://leonardobarreto.com/
ps, I'm still LOL

 

[Klaus Esser]

Hi, Leonardo,

First, let me mention that the "sunset" picture you posted is exquisite.

Now let me tell you what you started. Will Thompson asked you for a picture of the Graflok back on your Century Graphic would take the focusing plate he had that he thought you might be able to use. Then he called me (in the middle of dinner) and asked if I had a picture of the back on a Century Graphic (for the same reason). I said I didn't, but could probably find one.

My first try was to look for a Century Graphic on sale at auction (NAS - not at Sotheby's) and hope that the seller had a good shot of the back. I found one, and there was indeed a nice picture of the back. So I snagged it and sent it to Will.

Then I realized that the camera in the listing looked so nice I told my wife Carla about it, and mentioned that your wife had bought you a Century Graphic for your birthday. We decided that one would be nice for my birthday, too (71 today!), so we bid on it and got it!

So, thanks! You too, Will!

Best regards,

Doug

Hi Doug!

Congratulations from across the oceans!!!

best, Klaus

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Doug!

Congratulations from across the oceans!!!

best, Klaus

I love the lighting here! I am enjoying so much the pictures posted. It's so valuable that we see the style and feel the slow pace of this type of photography.

Thanks for giving enjoyment from such a distance!

Asher

 

[Klaus Esser]

I love the lighting here! I am enjoying so much the pictures posted. It's so valuable that we see the style and feel the slow pace of this type of photography.

Thanks for giving enjoyment from such a distance!

Asher

Hi Asher!

Thank you for your kind words!

best, Klaus

btw.: i photographed that with a prof. video camera (JVC 3-tube) as still-capture straight into the Mac using FinalCut. Light was a Chimera mid-size softbox and the exposure was set at very low. So it became a bit "mysterious" . . .

 

[leonardobarreto.com]

It is interesting to go back to the film world after so long on the digital side. I went to Adorama, one of the largest and oldest -- after B&H -- photo stores in NY and they saw me with the Graflex Baby Century unwinding a 120 film roll as if I just came out of a fall out bunker. The said that "we stopped developing film", and at the same time a young male, on my left, was picking up prints he sent via the Internet. They did have film to sell, but when I asked for "C-print 120", the first guy in the film counter had no idea what I was talking about, so he sent me to "the guru" in film, I said: 120/ASA 100/ c-print, what do you recommend. The guru answered: -- "there is only one" and gave me the 5 rolls of FUJIFILM REALA.

The really good news is that a lab that I used to go when I was here called My Own Color Lab is live and well and guess what: the have printers and scanners to rent !!

This lab rents small rooms with enlargers up to 8x10 for $10/h (now is $11 if you pay cash) and you develop the c-paper in big processor off the main room. This was a nice new york type of place where you wold see productions of important editions coming out of the machines and mounted on the walls, so I look forward to go back.

My idea is to start the project the cheap way: shoot c-neg/ print c-print.

On the other side, I shot a simple table top at my studio with the P 25 and the 6x9 mini view camera, and looking with a loupe directly at the negative and comparing with the image on C1, I can see that the digital file has much more information. I want to see the "look" of the c-prints out of the 6x9 and maybe 4x5 or 8x10 but I could eventually shoot with the digital back.

to be continued ...