OddCameras.com
Graflex Pacemaker Speed Graphic
The
Graflex Graphic cameras were "the" standard American Press cameras from
the late 30s to the 60s. As they are relatively compact and easy to
use, they were also widely used for other than press purposes. They
kept in production until 1973. The tooling was then sold to Toyo.
This
is a Graflex Pacemaker Speed Graphic 4x5 camera. It was manufactured
between 1947 and 70. It has a fixed horizontal "Graflok'' type
back which accepts standard modern 4x5 film
holders and any modern roll-film backs. The Pacemaker Speed has a rear focal plane shutter
with its shutter release and a release for the front shutters. The
lens standard offers front rise and shift, a drop bed and it can tilt back. The lensboards are a new design, made of metal.
The
Century cameras come standard with a coupled rangefinder, as this one.
In 1955 the rangefinder changed completely. It became an integral
rangefinder at the top of the camera, even with automatical parallax
correction and a focussing beam for focussing in the dark. The
focussing and parallax are controlled by rangefinder cams for the
different lenses. The framing for the different focals is achieved by
masks in front of the viewfinder. The bed has foldable stops, so
different focal lenghts can be preset. Century Speed cameras with top
rangefinder are not easy to find.
The camera is 22 x 21 x 11.5 cm including finder and grip and weighs 2550 gr. without lens.
Some photos:
Case
closed, from all sides. If you try to find out how to open the camera:
it's not on top like the others, it's the little bulb on the side next
to the handle, near the top.
Open, with standard 127mm lens.
With
a 90mm wide angle lens. For the Speed you better choose the old Angulon
design, not the Super Angulon with its big rear element.
The bellows move out quite long.It's
a very nice camera, easy to use. If you own old lenses without
shutters, you can use them with this camera. If you don't need a focal
plane shutter, you better get a Century Crown and save 500 grs of
weight. The Crown is also better with wide angles.