Miniature Speed Graphic

The Miniature Speed Graphic is strictly speaking a pre-Anniversary model, manufactured from 1939-1946. It immediately preceeded the Anniversary Model Speed Graphic, and in fact overlapped with it for all but the first year of production. However, there was no 2x3 Anniversary model, so the Miniature Speed Graphic filled in that part of the Graflex product line.

The Miniature Speed Graphic is often confused with the 2x3 model of the Pacemaker Speed Graphic, which looks similar, but which often features the highly desirable Graflok back, which accepts modern style rollfilm holders. The Miniature Speed Graphic uses the Graphic (spring) back which does not Graflex roll film holders, so buyers should be sure to obtain a supply of 2x3 sheet film and holders. A 2x3 Grafmatic sheet film back was also made, and is quite handy.

You might consider a Graphic back conversion, but a better policy might be to leave these old cameras as is and use sheet film.

There are retrofit Graflok backs out there that were made for Miniature Speeds. You can distinguish them because they do not have the sideways-folding rear peep sight, or even a place for it. Instead, they have a round depression with two holes for focal-plane-shutter flash-sync contacts in about the same place that the round part of the peep sight would normally rest. 

Photos by Richard Gardali

Photo by Greg Kent

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