Graflex Graphic Model History

Dating your camera or accessories

Your best bet is to determine the model by reading about the Graphic models below. However, you can apply the following information in certain cases:

Graphic Model History

Click one of the model names below to find out more about the camera.
Produced Model name and description Features
1912-1927 ``Top Handle'' Speed Graphic 3-1/4x4-1/4, 4x5, 3-1/4x5-1/2, 5x7 These early cameras have very small lensboards and will not use the big fast lenses that came out in the 1920's, such as the f/2.5 and f/2.9 Cooke Speedic, Plaubel Anticomar f/2.9 (a favorite), Dallmeyer Pentac F2.9 and bigger Dallmeyer Cooke and Ross telephotos.
1928-1939 ``Pre-Anniversary'' Speed Graphic (4x5, 5x7) 
3-1/4x4-1/4: 1935-1939
4x5 - wire hoop viewfinder has curved top. 

The big improvement in the 1928 Speed Graphic camera over the top handle version was the 4 inch lensboard for tele and speed lenses.

1939-1946 Miniature Speed Graphic 1st small 2-1/4x3-1/4" model
1940-1946 Anniversary Speed Graphic(3-1/4x4-1/4 and 4x5") No grey metal exposed, satin black with chrome trim. Wartime model: no chrome. Bed and Body track rails linked, allowing focusing of wide angle lens within body. Solid wire frame viewfinder. 
1947-1970 Pacemaker Speed Graphic (4x5, 3-1/4x4-1/4, 2-1/4x3-1/4 Post-war production brought coated lens and lenses in shutters, body release, folding infinity stops. Side mounted rangefinder replaced by top rangefinder on 4x5" Graphics in 1955. 
1947-1973 Pacemaker Crown Graphics (4x5, 3-1/4x4-1/4, 2-1/4x3-1/4) Identical to the Pacemaker Speed Graphic, but made without the focal plane shutter, which reduced weight, and increased access to wide-angle lenses. 
1949-1970 Century Graphic (2-1/4x3-1/4) The plastic-bodied Century Graphic and mahogany/metal Crown Graphic were without focal plane shutters. Imported 2-1/4" cameras led to the design of the roll film holders, and the Graflok back (1949). Flat bar viewfinder, followed by flexible wire viewfinder. 
1961-1970 Super Speed Graphic All metal body, including flash computer, electric shutter release, front standard had swing capability, & featured revolving back. Graflex-1000: 1/1000 front shutter. No Focal Plane Shutter. 
1958-1973 Super Graphic Same as Super Speed Graphic, but without 1/1000 front shutter lens. 

Speed Graphic FAQ 
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