Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/09/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I've got a Crown Graphic that I occasionally use for field work, copy negs and Polaroid examples while teaching. The one thing I don't like is that it does not work for vertical shots requiring any tilt.... Although you can use it vertically to do images requiring a bit of swing or more shift.... But when needed you can crop it to achieve the vertical image anyhow.... I tried shooting vertically a couple of times... but had a real hard time keeping the camera locked in position especially while inserting film holders.... So.... if you want tilt..... you'll need to shoot with the camera horizontal.... You can gain a bit more flexibility by reversing the front standard... to either get more front tilt (my normal position) or front fall without tilt using the drop bed. The Crown is pretty indestructible.. no built-in shutter to add weight etc... it does have a rangefinder system on top.... making it sort of a 4x5 Leica.... I've never used the rangefinder nor viewfinder though... My normal lens is the current Nikkor 210 f/ 5.6 W..... you have to take it off to close the camera bed... but that is a minor inconvience in comparison to the rest of the process... I think I paid $75 for mine and it came with a 135 Graflex Optar...... so I spent more for the Polaroid back than the camera.... I think it a great way to get into a metal 4x5 field camera without the cash outlay of a Linhof Master Teknica.... But the only way I use it is if I leave everything else at home... other wise I'm shooting 35mm in color while the Graphic sits by itself in the back of my Trooper... Duane Birkey HCJB World Radio Quito Ecuador Duane's Photographs of Ecuador http://duane_birkey.tripod.com