I am currently bidding on a Graflex Speed (without lens) on Ebay. One of the reasons I want it (besides being a classic, hard to find in Holland) is that it has a focal plane shutter. When I get it, I will trie to fix a bayonet on a lensboard, so I can see what my 45, 55, 105, and 135 on 4x5 will produce. I have some pictures of a Dutch photographer who attached the 35mm Takumar fisheye on a 5x7 Plaubel, which produced astonishing round images with 4" diameter. I am very curious, and will let you know in time. Peter

-- Peter Gooijer (rockrose@freeler.nl), February 18, 2001

Answers

The 45mm wide angle produces surprisingly good coverage on 4x5 as well.

I bought an extra rear lens cap to mount on an old board to use with a Packard shutter.

-- Bruce Gavin (doc@compudox.com), April 13, 2001.

I bought the Speed Graphic, and after cleaning and a little repair, I made a lensboard for a Vivitar VHE 100mm enlarging lens, which was easy, to test the shutter. The first results are very promising, it produces evenly exposed images, I'm not sure the focussing is precise, but it isn't far off. To be continued. Peter

-- Peter Gooijer (rockrose@freeler.nl), April 14, 2001.