Cameras/Speed Graphic Camera (1945/1946)
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Question
06-27-06...The most recent date on this website is 2005; I'm hoping this is still a current active website. I have been trying to help my father find a resale value for his Speed Graphic camera. The following is his reply to me after viewing several websites that I had sent to him which had pictures of various models produced back in the 1940's. Apparently, none pictured matche the style of speed graphic camera that he has.
**"I'm confused about the model of the camera. I believe I ordered it early in 1946. I haven't yet found any identifying number on it. It does not have the wire view finder, but does have a fold down rectangular peep sight (top center) and the optical view finder (top right side). Right and left are the photographer's (from back of camera). It has the Kalart range finder mounted on the photographers right side. It has the focal plane shutter and the between lens synchronized shutter made by Eastman Kodak for
Graflex. The lens is an f 4.5 101 mm Kodak Ektar # EO 14230 and following the digits is a tiny capital L in a circle the same size as
the digits. It does have the tiltable lens board.
I have 3 cut film holders (hold 2 sheets each), a film pack adapter and a "23" Graphic 120 roll film adapter. The Film Pack and Roll Film Adapters came much later. Originally there were only cut film holders, which had to be loaded in complete darkness!!
I have the Graflex flash with both the small and large reflectors. Also a wonderful old Model 8DW58Y4 General Electric Exposure Meter No. A77879 that still seems to function perfectly.”**
klpc@juno
Hello,
You seem to be describing a Miniature Speed Graphic, a common model made from 1938 to 1947. If you could possibly send a single small (emphasis on small!) JPEG image to my personal e-mail address <silver@well.com> I could identify it with one quick look. By the way, the serial number (by which I can date it precisely) is hidden under the top front edge of the camera body.
Best wishes,
David Silver
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David Silver
Expertise
I'm an expert on all types of antique, classic, and contemporary cameras, as well as the general history of photography. Everything from ancient box cameras to modern single-lens-reflex; from simple Kodaks to sophisticated Leica and Nikon; from glass plates and roll film to movie and 35mm. I can identify and appraise them, explain how they work, and offer insights on their restoration and care. I can also provide historical background on vintage cameras and equipment, and guidelines on their purchase and sale.
Experience
I've been a professional photographer and a student of the history of photography for nearly 30 years. During that time my collection of vintage cameras and photographic paraphernalia has grown beyond 2000 significant pieces. I've published nearly 70 articles in the field, including 16 in the popular "Buying Classic Cameras" series for PHOTO SHOPPER MAGAZINE from 1995 to 1997, I'm currently a contributing editor for CAMERA SHOPPER MAGAZINE and McKEOWN'S PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC CAMERAS, and I've written numerous entries for WORLD BOOK ENCYCLOPEDIA. Portions of my collection have been displayed in museums and special exhibits in the past two decades, and many of the items were photographed as illustrations for books. In 1985 I founded the International Photographic Historical Organization (InPHO), which eventually evolved into its intended purpose as the best first resource for information on the history of photography. I'm also a founding member of several e-mail forums dedicated to specialized areas of photography, and I'm the moderator of the Internet Directory of Camera Collectors (IDCC), which remains the largest and most successful such group in the world. For more information about the International Photographic Historical Organization and its many services, please visit its web pages at:
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