The Graflex Super 4×5 SLR Custom
Today I have the wonderful opportunity to introduce you to an absolutely one of a kind camera. The Graflex Super 4×5 SLR Custom. And it could be yours!
I am very fortunate as I get to meet lots of interesting people and see lots of amazing cameras. But this camera is something that you don’t see everyday.
Camera innovator Cory Lum is the man behind this amazing camera and has helped it to evolve into an absolutely unique camera. Over to Cory for a few words about the camera:
Up on the block is a one of a kind, one off Graflex Super 4×5 single lens reflex. Did I say single lens reflex ?
This 4×5 SLR was modified to fit a handselected Dallmeyer Pentac 9-inch high speed f/2.9 British reconnaissance aero lens. In addition, front geared standard has a custom tilt via aircraft aluminum machined single billet. I had a Sinar 4×5 back installed for ease of use. Rear Standard takes an array of 6×9, 6x12cm medium format backs, 3×4 pack film instant film back and other 4×5 instant film backs too.
The shutter speeds are from 1/1000th second thru T via focal plane shutter.
This camera is over 50 years old and after long search I found a mint condition one. The Graflex was then used and modified with the above specs.
And the reason wee are telling you all of this? Because Cory has given me the task of selling this camera!
And the price I hear you ask? $12,000 USD.
Some of you may ask “why so much?”. Well, double that has gone into making this camera in terms of money spent and countless hours of design and configuration. There is nothing quite like this camera anywhere in the world.
The condition of this camera is outstanding for its age and has been well cared for. It even comes with the original box.
In fact. If you buy this camera in Tokyo, Cory will personally come over from Hawaii and deliver the camera and teach you how to use it too. The chance of a lifetime to shoot a super camera in one of the worlds most photogenic cities.
If you are interested in this camera please mail me and I will be able to handle the arrangements.
Contact me here.
And please, serious enquiries only.
Thanks
JCH
How would a prospective buyer check out and test the camera before committing? Travel to Hawaii?
I would arrange any details about the camera and we could provide images and test videos.
Both the Pentac and Kodak Aero-Ektar are unique image makers for 4×5 format and offer a similar narrow depth of field since they both have large apertures.
It is easy to attach them to a Sinar lensboard and you are good to go right away (with DB shutter), but for better potability they are often combined with a Speed Graphic. A custom adapter is available for purchase.
More details here: http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/aero/
I personally prefer the Kodak Aero-Ektar since they were all Lumemized (i.e. coated) and it has better contrast than my uncoated Pentac.
By the way, Graflex D with supplied Kodak Ektar lens is a delight to use, you do have to be careful about exposure since the giant focal plane curtains accelerate as they travel giving less exposure to the film at the bottom of the camera, if you are careful, this is good since the sky is usually too bright!
What a hunk. What are the ups and downs here? Guess the lens doesn’t stop down at all and no kind of PC sync or flash? I’d love to see a video of the shutter going off; does the camera shake a lot? What a teaser. Still it’s a very unique and interesting piece.
If you were to go to the Peter Gowland website, you should find where Mr.
Gowland had made a TLR 4×5.
And just what the hell do you find wrong with it?
Nice to see your camera being in the for sale mode.
Personally, I like the AERO-LIBERATOR CAMERA ..
7” f:2.5 aero-ektar lens … Tilt / Swing …4×5 Graflock back . new mirror/Bright screen .
Fully a custom camera . Smaller body. as well as …. well a different look tan the Pentac lens … Just my style… As well as . Correct I build them for and with CLIENTS around the globe ,,,,,, and well A LOT CHEAPER ….. Not to demote this camera … Choices are well Personal ….. Thanks for the intro and Good luck selling your BILLET camera. Sincerely , johnminnicks.com
I own 4 Liberators from John Minnicks. Each is different, and each is wonderful. They do whatthey are intended to do–take photographs. All of them are 4×5 with conversions to Grafmatic backs, and are a LOT less expensive than the camera in question, and one doesn’t have to travel to Hawaii. If one gets one of these, one can assume one knows an f stop from a bus stop. John Minnicks is easy to find. Just go onto facebook and he will be found. I am there too–and I will always find time to chat.
Lens has aperture dial moves freely from f/2.9 thru f/22
one major note John Minnicks. your Liberator is only creates a square 4×4-inch image.
if you use 4×5 film you lose 1 inch.
this is a one off, fully machined billet front standard et al.
flash sync via 2 socket PC cord. tho i haven’t used flash
cheers ! cory