Tag Archives: speed graphic

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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if you can’t beat them …

Toronto. Two events likely resulted in this version of the famous Speed Graphic. First the continuing depression and the need to economize; and secondly the success of the minicam and enlarging making smaller cameras very popular. As advertised in 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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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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deja vu all over again

Toronto. … as colourful catcher and coach for the Yankees, Yogi Berra was tagged with this quote. In pursuit of history, my good friend George Dunbar spotted this anomaly in the age of digital – someone using a film/plate based Speed … Continue reading

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those wonderful old Graflex cameras of yesteryear

Toronto. what a great year! 1922. And Folmer and Schwing, a Kodak division at the time, advertised in Vanity Fair with this attractive portrait of a little girl. Charming portrait. Charming camera. The Folmer & Schwing company had a complicated … Continue reading

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what the heck is a Colwood?

Toronto. In the latest Graflex Journal, subscriber Chris Cooper offers photos and info on the Colwood Camera Co. based in the UK.  In business at least in the 1950s, Colwood offered rebuilt Anniversary Speed Graphics using factory spare parts. Have … Continue reading

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Weegee in comics

Toronto. Arthur Fellig was a cigar smoking, messy, rumpled NYC night crime scene  photographer in the 1930s and 40s. He was the subject of many articles as a Speed Graphic camera toting shameless self promotor. Now he has been immortalized … Continue reading

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