Graflex Super Graphic: A Manual Focus Camera?

The Graflex Super Graphic is a 4x5 press camera introduced in 1958. It is the last 4x5 press camera design by Graflex and is considered by many photographers to be the best overall Graphic Press Camera. The Super Graphic has a long list of desirable features, including a rugged all-metal body, an electronic shutter release, and a rotating Graflok back. It also has interchangeable rangefinder cams and an automatic focusing scale dial. The camera is known for its versatility and can be used as a view camera or handheld with rangefinder focusing.

The Graflex Super Graphic was Graflex's last 4x5 press camera design

The Super Graphic was a significant improvement on its press camera predecessors. Its front standard was redesigned in lightweight aluminium and stainless steel, and its range of movements was expanded to include front swing and a greater rise than some Pacemaker Graphics. It also featured a rotating back, which allowed for more flexibility in orientation than earlier models.

The Super Graphic was also notable for its rugged all-metal body, interchangeable rangefinder cams, automatic focusing scale dial, and movable focusing track infinity stops. Its electronic shutter release, however, has not aged well, and it is now rare to find one that still works.

The Super Graphic was designed to be used as both a press camera and a technical camera. It featured an integrated rangefinder, a convenient focusing scale, and an electronic shutter release. The Super Graphic's fast focal plane shutter was capable of speeds of up to 1/1000 of a second.

The Super Graphic was also known for its lightweight design, weighing only 4.5 pounds without a lens. This made it a popular choice for photographers who needed a quick and easy setup, such as those working in landscape and architecture photography.

Overall, the Graflex Super Graphic was a highly capable and versatile camera, offering a range of features that made it a popular choice for both press and technical photography.

The Super Graphic has an automatic focusing scale dial

The Super Graphic is considered the best overall Graphic Press Camera. It was introduced in 1958 and was Graflex's last 4x5 press camera design. The Super Graphic has a long list of desirable features, including a rugged all-metal body, movable focusing track infinity stops, and interchangeable rangefinder cams for lenses from 90 to 380.

The Super Graphic also has an electronic shutter release, which is believed to be the first built into a large format camera. This shutter release is controlled by a red button on the rear left-hand corner of the camera body. The batteries for the electronic release are located to the right of the rangefinder viewfinder.

In addition to its impressive features, the Super Graphic is known for its versatility. It can be solidly mounted on a tripod and used as a view camera, or used handheld with rangefinder focusing. The lenses are fully interchangeable, and the camera has a rotating Graflok back capable of taking various back accessories.

The Super Graphic has a rotating Graflok back

The Graflex Super Graphic is a large format single-lens reflex camera that was first introduced in 1958. It has a range of notable features, including a rotating Graflok back.

The Graflok back is a desirable enhancement to the Graphic line of cameras. It has a removable focus panel, a Fresnel screen, and locks to hold various film backs. The Graflok back is capable of accepting a range of film types, including sheet film holders, "Grafmatic" 4x5 sheet film magazines, 120 roll film adapters, Polaroid backs, the Kodak ReadyLoad, and Fuji QuickLoad backs. This versatility allows photographers to work with different film formats and types, providing greater flexibility in their photography.

The rotating Graflok back on the Super Graphic is a significant advantage. It can easily accommodate various back accessories, such as Polaroid backs, 6x7 or 6x9 120 film roll film backs, and Graflarger enlarger attachments. This feature enables photographers to experiment with different film formats, back types, and accessories, expanding their creative possibilities.

The Graflok back has become the standard for 4x5" view cameras and is also found on some 2x3" cameras. Its versatility and ability to work with different film types have contributed to its popularity among photographers.

The Super Graphic's rotating Graflok back is a valuable feature that enhances the camera's functionality and flexibility. It allows photographers to easily adapt the camera to their specific needs, whether they are working in a studio or out in the field. With its rotating Graflok back, the Super Graphic offers a versatile and customisable platform for photographers to capture their unique visions.

The Super Graphic has an electronic shutter release

The Super Graphic's electronic shutter release is a notable feature of the camera. In fact, it was possibly the first electronic shutter release built into a large format camera. The shutter can be triggered by pressing a red button on the rear left-hand corner of the camera body. This is powered by two 22.5 volt flat batteries, which are hidden at the back of the camera, to the right of the rangefinder viewfinder.

The electronic shutter system has not aged well and rarely works today. However, if it is not working, you can simply use a cable release as normal.

The Super Speed Graphic features a built-in solenoid, which will only trigger the shutter and will not sync with the flash. The solenoid is hidden inside the front standard's framework and is connected to the shutter release by a wire.

The Super Graphic has movable focusing track infinity stops

To set the infinity stops, the photographer must first adjust the focusing rail so that the two infinity marks line up on the fixed and movable scales. Then, they must set up the camera on a tripod and focus on a distant object by sliding the unlocked front standard. Once the object is in focus, the photographer locks the front standard and moves the loosened stops against it, tightening them with a screwdriver. This process is repeated for each set of stops and lenses. It is important to ensure that the camera is focused on an object that is at least half a mile away, as a shorter distance will not result in true infinity.

Additionally, a carpenter's square can be used to ensure that both stops are the same distance from the ground glass, keeping the front and rear standards aligned. This adjustment process can be performed on both the miniature crown graphic and the 4x5 models.

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