Inherited some old toys, need help

[harryd]

I inherited my Great Grandfathers camera equipment and have no clue on what I have or if I need to add insurance on my homeowners ins. Anyone know what this is worth and no it is not for sale? Also is this equipment still usable? Anything else you can tell me about it? I have never used or seen med or large format cameras used so I am totally lost. Any help appreciated.



I am guessing this is a Graflex Speed from the book that is with it?



The camera case for the Graflex

[nohoneythatsnotanewlens]

You have a nice keepsake. Unfortunately, like old pianos, old cameras grow old very gracefully but aren't worth much. I have the same Yashika. I bought it slightly used many years ago for $125.00. It still works but now adorns the bookcase in my study.

I recently bought a like new Brownie movie camera, in the original box with all paperwork, hoping it had some value. I got home and searched on e-bay only to find 10 of them on there with a high bid of $3.25.

Enjoy the memories.

Rick

[harryd]

Thanks, and that is totally fine with me, I plan to put them on display in my home as soon as I can figure out how to open the Graflex and mount the lens and back to it . There is a member of my camera club who may know how and I plan to let him help me.

[Thunder9]

I can only add that at on time (may still be so) there was a great market for the flash tubes on the graflex as they make great handles for light sabres, Imitation osf course.

[michaelhcothran]

The Yashica D is still very usable, and will stun you with the fine image quality it can produce. It takes 120 film, still readily available, and will yield 12 shots per roll. The negatives are square, 56mm x 56mm, or approximately 2.25" x 2.25". However, because of their larger size, you can crop them to a rectangle if you choose, for printing. You will need a hand meter, or you can use the meter from another camera. It doesn't really have much monetary value though. Perhaps a hundred dollars or so at best. The later version, a Yashica Mat 124, can bring about twice that amount. Yashica (now Kyocera) has always produced quality cameras at reasonable prices, in my opinion.
Michael H. Cothran
Nashville, Tennessee

[harryd]

Thanks Michael, at one time there was a B&W darkroom in the house and I made some prints from old neg. from both cameras but just got the camera's last week. I think I will have my friend show me how to use them and at the least take a few shots just to say I did. I have not shot a frame of film in 10 years and then only 35 mm.

[Latinbob]

There is probably a hidden button on the top front of the Graflex. Feel around besides the viewfinder. You should be able to press down on the button and the front will open up. It's hard to tell from the picture, but it could either be a 4x5 camera, or a smaller 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 folder. Either one looks great on display. It probably still works too, as long as the bellow is good and the shutter works.

That looks like a Polaroid back next to the Graflex.

The Yashica is pretty sweet, and you should run a roll of 120 through it to see what you get.

They may not have a high monetary value, but they have a high historical value, and a definite sentimental value!

Bob

Edit: That's a sweet Polaroid back for the Graflex. I looked at your Pbase site. That is most likely a 4x5.

Here's instructions for opening the front:
"It is difficult to figure out how to open a Speed Graphic when it is closed. There is a button mounted under the leather on the right side near the top. It is visible as a bump. Depress this bump and pull the focus bed (i.e., the front, when the camera is closed) down until the bed braces lock into position."

from: Pacemaker Speed Graphic

[harryd]

Latin Bob thanks it is a 4x5 and I will look for the hidden button. I can tell I am going to shoot with them one time if they work just to say I used the same camera my Great Grandfather did, he died when I was 5 and I am 50 now so it has high sentimental value to me. I am actually thinking I have a print from one of his old negatives of a local tourist landscape, I may try to re-shoot it from the same general area and hang it by the other one along with a digital one just as a conversation piece.

[Not4wood]

Harry,

Both of these were and are still great Cameras. The Images were always impressive and you will really get a kick out of using them. Just keep in mind that at this time they used everthing as Manual and kept a Light Meter around there necks at all times.

Try a couple of Portraits using these Cameras and see how it affects your Minds Eye!
Same Lighting Techniques, same exposures but everything that was used then is just on the Manual Side of things Technical.

[cyclohexane]

The Yashica D's still a great user camera; I've seen them being used around here.

The "Yashikor" on the lens indicates it is an earlier model of the D, as the later models have better quality "Yashinon" lenses (and a f/2.8 viewing lens)... at least, according to Wikipedia and some other internet sources. =)

[harryd]

Thanks guys, I may have a problem with the Graflex I found the button to open it up but it still does not want to open. It acts like the button is not going all the way down. Time to find a local person that knows more about it. Thanks again for all the info, I really appreciate it.

[cyclohexane]

Ever get that Graflex open?

[digitalzed]

Man, even the case is sweet. Don't get that anymore when you buy any camera!

[c_dwebb@msn.com]

The Graphlex is still an excellent piece of equipment and is becoming more and more popular with the "Large Format Boom"
that is going on today. 4x5 film is available from several sources and is easy to home process. Three years ago a pretty rough camera could be purchased for $50.00 or less. Todays ebay shows them going for $100 to a thousand dollars today. If it truly is a "Speed" it would make it more desirable since you could mount and use lesser expensive "Barrel" lens's. The focal plane shutter in the speed graphic becomes the shutter.

Don't give either of the cameras away as they do have a monitary
value. If there is a lens and shutter mounted on the graphic is even better. They no longer are manufacturing film holders so until some begins to make em the old ones are valuable.

Have fun,
C Webb

[harryd]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Ever get that Graflex open?

Yes, thanks. I will try to take some shots of it this weekend.

[harryd]

Originally Posted by c_dwebb@msn.com

The Graphlex is still an excellent piece of equipment and is becoming more and more popular with the "Large Format Boom"
that is going on today. 4x5 film is available from several sources and is easy to home process. Three years ago a pretty rough camera could be purchased for $50.00 or less. Todays ebay shows them going for $100 to a thousand dollars today. If it truly is a "Speed" it would make it more desirable since you could mount and use lesser expensive "Barrel" lens's. The focal plane shutter in the speed graphic becomes the shutter.

Don't give either of the cameras away as they do have a monitary
value. If there is a lens and shutter mounted on the graphic is even better. They no longer are manufacturing film holders so until some begins to make em the old ones are valuable.

Have fun,
C Webb

Because it was my great grandfathers it is priceless to me . I will take some shots of it open and you guys can let me know more about it. Thanks for all your help.

[cyclohexane]

You should shoot with it. The first time I printed a 4x5 negative in the darkroom, I was blown away. 120 had a similar effect, but it wasn't as spectacular because I had already printed 4x5. Still, I made a print from 135 for kicks yesterday afternoon, and man that stuff sucks...

...at least, in comparison.

[heartseye]

Yashica started their TLR line with the Yashica A.....robust but really soft glass. The D was somewhat better but still soft even by the standards of the day. The Yashica-Mat line was the best they made, and it really was surpisingly good....

[eric rose]

check out Graflex.Org: Speed Graphics, Large Format Photography, and More

[harryd]

Thanks for all the info guys, I hope to get to shoot a few of the camera open tonight.