Graflex.org

[wilkidm]

I have seen Graflex XL ******* from a variety of sellers, and they have always caught my eye as interesting. However, is there really anything that an XL would do that my 2x3 Century Graphic doesn't? Besides having a new toy, what are the advantages to having one other than the interchangable lenses and modular construction? I also have been looking at a Mamiya Super Press for the same reason, it just looks neat. Any help would be appreciated.

[Les]

Advantages of the XL over the Century

1. Easier to set up out of the box (no door, bellows)
2.tube mounted lenses allow for push button adjustment of the rangefinder
3. Polaroid back
4. Originally had a wider range of lenses (I'm not sure some of the longer lenses in the XL line would fit the small board of the Century, I know you can't fit a 58 grandagon on a Century)
5. A rare accessory allowed 4x5 film to be used (you didn't get a full image)

Advantages of the Century over the XL
1. The XL needs spacers to shoot in macro

2. The pins on the tubes are fragile and break
easily. Without the pin you can't RF

3. You need a seperate body for the 47mm lens on the XL

[wilkidm]

Hmm....
Thaks for the help, I guess it depends on what kind of photography you intend on doing. Then again, buy both, and share the RH backs!

The idea of a modular camera just appeals to me, even if I don't get an XL, may get a Mamiya press, the one that takes the Polaroid backs, or then again, I could get one of those and a Graflex XL and a Century! Gee, there goes my money...

[Dan Fromm]

[antjam65]

In terms of the XL vs Mamiya Press, I actually bought both cameras at the same time for my first medium format purchase. That may sound extravagant, but they were part of a consignment lot from a retired wedding photographer and my friendly, local camera shop back in the good old USA sold me both cameras with normal lenses and 5 Graflex 120 backs for $125! What were they thinking?
After using both a few times, I really much preferred the XL. The Mamiya seemed too big and bulky compared to the XL, although it also took nice photos. I was just way more confortable with the Graflex and ended up trading the Mamiya with 100mm lens and a film back for a 58mm Grandagon for the XL and never looked back.
As has been mentioned, the XL lenses are really great!
Comparing using the XL and Century, I'm more apt to use the Century indoors for still life/close-up shots focusing on the ground glass, but when I'm heading outside I choose the XL with a normal lens and usually the Grandagon, and maybe a tele, as well. Being able to quickly change lenses and have RF coupling, parallax correction, brightlines, etc, is very nice. I started out using 35mm, and I'm still partial to using different focal lengths, shooting quickly, etc, and the XL beats the Century in this area. By the way, I do have the Graflex grip for the Century, which makes it very easy to hold, but the separate viewfinder & rangefinder, and inability to quickly adjust the RF for different lenses relegates it to mostly a 'house camera' for me.
Also, although I think the Graflex roll backs are just fine, the XL does take the Wista and Horseman backs, which are super nice. And I'm not sure about a Polaroid back for the Century - is there such a thing?
I have a few XL bodies now and some of them do have the stiff focusing problem, but I find that keeping them clean and using just a drop of this very light camera oil that I buy here in Japan on the focus tips makes even the stiffest ones fairly smooth. Still, I do wish I could say that focusing the XL is silky smooth, but it aint. BUT, I have never had a focus tip break or 'wear out' as people claim they do - that would clearly take some real abuse, or a bad accident, etc. Oh, the myths that plague the XL... well, maybe they keep the prices down. In that case, "yes, the focus system is crap - sell your XLs immediately!"
By the way, you can mount a 58mm Grandagon on a Century and I have the pictures to prove it! You do have to unscrew the rear element to mount it on the camera and make a little spacer and attach it to the lens board to hold the cable release connector, but if I can do it, anybody can. I assume it would make infinity focus no problem, but come to think of it, I've only used it for interiors, so I'm not sure about that.

_________________
Oh, no! I've become a camera geek!


[ This Message was edited by: antjam65 on 2003-04-09 08:33 ]

[Dan Fromm]

[antjam65]

Yeah, I just tried it again and the Wista can sort of be finessed on, but the Horseman just doesn't fit. I only have one of each back - maybe mine are mutants? I think the decisive difference is that the slide locks on the Century are at an angle, whereas on the XL they move straight up and down. Maybe that's a little hard to understand, but if you compare them you'll see what I mean.

Also, in terms of the 58mm Grandagon on the Century, I'm sure it will make infinity focus, because the rear element protrudes far enough to the back to probably go through the ground glass if you're not careful!

[antjam65]

Ps- A 38mm Biogon on an XL would be outstanding! I don't think RF coupling would be an issue given the depth of field you'd have. I wonder about getting the lengh of the XL lens Barrel right? Could any of the existing tube/body combinations work? How about the thin XLSW body with the 58mm Grandagon tube (with it's 'recessed' lens disk). I guess it would be pretty lucky to get a proper fit...

[Dan Fromm]

[Les]

I would think you'd need to shave down a 47mm tube. The 47mm SA is not retrofocus and the shortest tube available and its still 9mm too long. The scale of couse would be useless but all you'd need it to find the hyper focal point for say f11, 16 and 22 and you'd be done.

[Dan Fromm]