Camera, Graflex Speed Graphic c1950

Graflex

Registration number

1091831

Artist/maker

Graflex

Title

Camera, Graflex Speed Graphic

Production date

c1950

Medium

metal, plastic, leather

Dimensions (H x W x D)

21 x 21 x 10 cm (approx.)

Inscriptions

Kalart Syncronised Range Finder attached on metal plaque: Herald and Weekly Times Ltd, Photographic Dept, 44 Flinders St Melbourne Phone MF0211

Credit line

City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Graflex Speed Graphic, photographic equipment, Herald and Weekly Times, Melbourne

Summary

Graflex Speed Graphic camera from the Herald and Weekly Times Photographic department, Melbourne. The Graflex Speed Graphic was produced in Rochester, New York, from 1912 to 1968. For most of that time it was the favourite of news photographers throughout the world. Its features include three viewfinders (including a pioneering reflex through-the-lens viewer), two shutters (in the lens and the case) and interchangeable lens including a slightly wide-angle lens, perfect for most news shots. This type of camera was crucial to capturing action on the sports field and would have been typical of those used during the Melbourne 1956 Olympics.