Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/06/19

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Subject: Re: [Leica] f/8 and be there
From: Steven Alexander <alexpix@worldnet.att.net>
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2000 09:26:58 -0400

on 6/15/00 4:41 PM, B. D. Colen at bdcolen@earthlink.net wrote:

> "Those guys" also used Speed Graphics and other impossible equipment in
> combat....Particular the military photographers...It's pretty amazing to
> even contemplate as the EOS1V bangs away at something like 8-10 frames per
> second with its autofocus zooms....or, for that matter, the M silently
> records the scene and the photographer can disappear into the
> background...Makes even a Rollei seem like a real klunker, and the camera
> still is NO klunker....
> 
> B.orn too late thank Mom and D.ad to have to use a Speed Graphic, but used
> my Dad's 2.8 Rollei with prism and trigger grip on my first summer photog
> job.....TWTD...
> 
> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>> [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us]On Behalf Of John Coan
>> Sent: Thursday, June 15, 2000 4:09 PM
>> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
>> Subject: Re: [Leica] f/8 and be there
>> 
>> 
>> So, Perry, I have a question.
>> 
>> How long does it take to load another sheet of film in a Speed
>> Graphic?  (How "speedy" is it?)
>> 
>> I always admired the old news photographers with those cool
>> cameras.  Seems
>> like you either got the shot the first time, or it was gone.  Of course,
>> back then celebrities actually liked to get their picture taken "Just one
>> quick shot, Miss Harlow."  and they would stop and pose with a big smile.
>> 
>> And didn't they all wear fedoras with a card saying "Press" in
>> the hat band?
>> 
>> It's enjoyable seeing the evolution of press cameras in newsreel
>> footage.  Seems from my casual observation that during the late 50's the
>> Speed Graphics were being replaced with TLR's (mostly Rolleis) in the
>> US.  Whereas, in old WWII footage from Germany those guys used
>> Rolleiflexes
>> back then.
>> 
>> At 11:49 AM 06/15/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>>> "Sal DiMarco,Jr." wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> Lug Nuts,
>>>> It is said in the very early days of news photography
>> (1920s &
>>> 30s),
>>>> all one needed to know was "ten feet, f/8 and be there."
>>>> It's the simplest guide to photography. Remember back
>> then, they
>>>> shot was a 4x5 Speed Graphic and flash bulbs.
>>>> Happy Snaps,
>>>> Sal DiMarco, Jr.
>>> 
>>> Ten feet put's em in the back row with the Graphlexes, Sal!
>>> Mark (Perry White) Rabiner
>>> 
>>> When the Speeds came out (leather covered mahogany boxes that float) the
>>> word was:
>>> smash to the left, smash to the right, then fire (you wanted to get a
>>> clear shot)!!!?
>> 
>> 
> 
When Me and my M2's showed up at the Fort Worth Star Telegram(early 1960's)
all photographers were assigned a Speed Graphic.  It rested in my car trunk
and I think never made a sheet.  The other progressive photographers on
staff used Rollie or one had a Nikon rf.

Happysnaps,
Steven Alexander