Mid-20th century late 1930’s - 1940’s Graphex speed press camera with film holder

This appears to be a Graflex Speed Graphic, specifically a Pre-Anniversary or Anniversary model (likely from the late 1930s to the 1940s). It is a legendary large-format "press camera" that was the standard for photojournalists during the mid-20th century.

• The Lens & Shutter: The front shows a Graphex shutter and what appears to be a Wollensak Optar lens. These were high-quality American-made optics of the era.

• The Bellows: The accordion-like structure allows the lens to move forward for focusing and enables "movements" (tilting/shifting) to correct perspective or focus planes.

• Dual Shutter System: Speed Graphics are unique because they often have two shutters:

1. A leaf shutter inside the lens (for flash synchronization).

2. A focal plane shutter in the back (a large cloth curtain with slits) which allowed for very fast shutter speeds—up to 1/1000 of a second—which was revolutionary at the time.

• Film Holders: The flat rectangular objects next to the camera are double-sided film holders. They typically hold two sheets of 4 \times 5 inch sheet film.

Why This Camera is Significant

• Durability: They were built like tanks to survive war zones and hectic crime scenes.

• Image Quality: Because it uses 4 \times 5 inch film (massive compared to modern digital sensors or 35\text{mm} film), it produces incredible detail and a very shallow depth of field.

• The "Press" Look: This camera is responsible for the "look" of WWII-era photography and classic Hollywood noir stills.

Condition : Well used