Graflex.org

[Tim]

Considering a purchase of a speed graphic, which has the following issues:
1) The ground glass in the rear has a single, long crack in it, but is still together
2) The little optical top viewer (small removable lensed scope type viewer that comes on and off) has a bit of the plastic on its spinning eye piece busted off,

tks
tim

[Kim]

Those items are very repairable, if that is all that is wrong with the camera the rest depends on what the asking price is, and for what purposes do you plan to use it? Personally I think that digital cameras will by and large replace the 35mm market and that large format will remain as the retro-chic part of the craft

I believe that the removeable viewfinder identifies this camera as most likely a pacemaker model. The four big things to check are, fully functioning lens in decent shape, lightproof bellows, working focal plane shutter and make sure it does NOT have the "Graflex" back, you want either the Graflok or the standard Graphic Spring Back.
In the pacemaker series the pop-out hood is identical, interchangeable even. The best test if you are not sure how to tell the difference is to get a standard 4x5 cut film holder and see if it fits.

Oh and one more thing, if this is for an introduction to large format make sure it is the 4x5 model and not the 2x3 and most definitely not the 3x4

good luck

Kim

[Tim]

Actually it's an ebay item...probably breaking all the rules. i asked the seller. it says it has a Graphic Film Pack no.1234 bulk film loader and 3 4x5 holders
tks