INTRODUCTION

The Graflex Speed Graphic and Crown Graphic are large format press cameras made in USA between 1912 and 1973.

The Crown Graphic is a bit lighter because it does not have the focal plane shutter that the Speed Graphic has.

It's a robust and polyvalent camera, very popular among photojournalists of the 20th century.

BEST SUITED FOR:

Events

Landscapes

Street

PERSONAL NOTES

With a rangefinder, powerful flashes, optional semiautomatic rapid loading film holders, the Graflex Speed Graphic or just "Speed Graphic", helped many photographers cover news, cultural and sporting events, wars... In short, this camera covered everything that was there to cover.

What makes the difference between a Speed Graphic and a Crown graphic, is that the Speed Graphic also have a focal plane shutter, so on top of using regular lenses with leaf shutter in them, the Speed Graphic can use barrel lenses (lenses without shutter). Which makes the Speed Graphic even more versatile, but also a bit heavier.

There is a bit cheaper and smaller version available called the Century Graphic.

CONCLUSION

The Graflex Speed Graphic is probably the most used press camera ever, with reasons. It's very fun and enriching to use a Speed Graphic.

PHOTO SAMPLES

VERDICT:

4 FLASHBULBS