Tag Archives: graflex

the last of the Naturalists’

Toronto. Ken Metcalf down in North Carolina sent me a copy of the current Graflex Journal (first issue for 2023). In this issue, Tom Evans has an article on an oversize, robust Graflex camera made in the years 1907 to … Continue reading

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baby it’s cold inside

Toronto. Ken Metcalf, down in North Carolina, sent word that the Graflex Journal issue 3-22 is now out. This revised version is less than 1/4 the size of the previous file. If your internet connection is fast, here is the … Continue reading

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puppy love

Toronto. In the 1930s when this ad was displayed (May, 1939 issue of Popular Mechanics) Graflex was a stand alone company once again and worked hard to gain access to the amateur photographers in America. The company ran photo contests … Continue reading

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the Graflex of movie cameras

Toronto. Professional camera men in Hollywood for the most part used Mitchell cameras. The Mitchell was to Hollywood cameramen like a Graflex camera was to newshounds – Fully professional and a sturdy work horse. In 1922, when silents were still … Continue reading

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nighthawks and newshounds

Toronto. As night descends on the city, sirens cry out warnings. Yellow crime tape surrounds parts of the city. Marking the spot where deaths, accidents, fires, or other maladys of humanity happened. The area is lit up by brief flashes … Continue reading

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a 10A century studio camera

Toronto. Graflex has had a long and storied history beginning in 1887 when it was established  in NYC as Folmer & Schwing, a maker of bicycles. The company expanded and began making Graflex cameras in 1898. Kodak bought the company … Continue reading

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catching Graflexes

Toronto. Pre WW2 and for a few years there after, Speed Graphic and Graflex cameras reigned supreme as the press photographers’ cameras of choice. The Graflex series offered SLR capability for larger plate and film sizes. Those who saw the … Continue reading

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all that’s fit to photograph

Toronto. The best known press cameras according to Hollywood seem to be the ubiquitous Speed Graphic models. This ad from the December, 1946  issue of Popular Photography [link repeated here for the viewer’s convenience]  suggests why. My thanks to good … Continue reading

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let Ed do it

Toronto. One of the best known photographers in America was Edward Weston. I have a massive coffee table size book simply titled “Edward Weston: Fifty Years“. Published in 1973 by Aperture in the States, I bought my copy  new a … Continue reading

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weegee the famous

Toronto. Anyone out there who hasn’t heard of Weegee? Arthur Fellig and his trusty Speed Graphic haunted the streets of New York City mid last Century. He was busy beating cops and firemen to the scene and taking newspaper shots … Continue reading

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