For my 18th birthday last year my parents gave me an Anniversary Speed Graphic 4×5″ field camera…which I helped them buy off eBay for me. Since I nipped off to Alaska not long after, then spent all summer being poor and bored, then went off to university, I didn’t get much time to sit down and get acquainted properly, which is important with a large format camera I figure. It’s a very different way of working than 35mm.
It isn’t in brilliant condition, but it’s a user and that’s how I like my cameras.
-The rangefinder is configured for 150mm, though the lens is a 90/6.8 Optar in a Wollensak shutter.
-The infinity stops arent…you know, at infinity.
-The viewfinder barrel is damaged and doesn’t really work. Took it off the camera.
-The leather strap on the left hand side is somewhat close to disintegrating.
-Some “bits” have been taken off to cut down on the size, they’re in a sandwich bag on my shelf.
-Bellows are rather patched up, but light-tight.
-Ground Glass is cracked in one corner
I figure It makes more sense to play around with my little Speed Graphic a bit more before I get further with my plate camera project. I can probably prototype a 4×5″ plate holder for this and get started. We’ll see. The Ground Glass is being seen to by Satin Snow, Bellows…I know a few places, but I’ll try eBay first. Same with a lens board…the leather strap, I’ll try to find someone who can make a duplicate locally.