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Graflex 45 Crown Graphic 4x5 Camera

The Graflex 45 Crown Graphic is a film camera from Graflex — known for its 4x5 Large Format and Lens Board Mount. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.

Graflex 45 Crown Graphic 4x5 Camera

Graflex 45 Crown Graphic 4x5 Camera

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Camera Overview — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

The Graflex 45 Crown Graphic is a large format press camera manufactured between 1950 and 1959, representing a significant era in professional and photojournalistic photography. Designed around the 4x5 sheet film format, it falls into the large format category with compatibility for sheet film in 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 configurations. The camera uses a lens board mount system common to technical cameras, allowing for the use of standard, wide-angle, telephoto, zoom, specialty, and other interchangeable lenses.

Focusing is handled entirely manually, consistent with the press camera design philosophy of the period. The shutter system is a focal plane type, a notable characteristic of this particular Graphic model. For flash photography, the camera accommodates both a cold shoe and a PC sync port, giving shooters flexibility when working with external flash units.

Weighing between 2.5 and 3 pounds, the Crown Graphic sits on the more manageable end of the large format camera spectrum. For collectors, film photographers, and large format enthusiasts, this camera represents a tangible piece of mid-20th century photographic history with practical usability for sheet film shooting today.

Key Features — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

4x5 Large Format: Shoots on 4x5 sheet film, producing negatives many times larger than 35mm for exceptional detail and tonal range.

Lens Board Mount: Interchangeable lens board system accepts a wide range of lenses including standard, wide-angle, and telephoto options.

Focal Plane Shutter: Built-in focal plane shutter is a defining feature of the Crown Graphic, allowing use of lenses without their own shutters.

PC Sync & Cold Shoe: Both a PC sync port and cold shoe are available for connecting external flash units in the field.

Press Camera Heritage: Manufactured during the press photography era of the mid-20th century, representing a historically significant design used by working photojournalists.

Rangefinder Focusing: Coupled rangefinder aids in achieving accurate focus quickly, a practical advantage for handheld press shooting.

Camera Specifications — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

Graflex 45 Crown Graphic full specifications
SpecDetail
Use CasesPortrait, Landscape, Studio, Architecture
TypeFilm
Lens MountLens Board (Technical Camera)
Hot ShoeCold Shoe (No Contacts)

Description — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

The Graflex 45 Crown Graphic is a press camera from the 1950s, built around the large format sheet film system and designed for serious field and studio work. It accepts sheet film in 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 configurations, offering flexibility across multiple large format film sizes. The camera's lens board mount — standard for technical cameras of this type — opens it up to a broad range of lens options, including standard, wide-angle, telephoto, zoom, specialty, and interchangeable lenses, making it adaptable to many shooting scenarios.

All focusing is manual, as expected for a camera of this period and type. Flash shooters will appreciate the inclusion of both a cold shoe and a PC sync port, providing two distinct connection points for external lighting. At 2.5 to 3 pounds, the Crown Graphic is a workable large format option for photographers willing to embrace the deliberate, hands-on process that sheet film demands.

Pros — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

  • ✓Large format 4x5 sheet film capability, with compatibility listed for 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 sheet film
  • ✓Lens board mount system supports a wide range of lens types including standard, wide-angle, telephoto, zoom, specialty, and interchangeable lenses
  • ✓Dual flash compatibility via both cold shoe and PC sync port

Cons — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

  • ✗Manual focus only — no autofocus capability of any kind
  • ✗Cold shoe rather than a hot shoe, limiting direct compatibility with some modern flash units
  • ✗Large format sheet film is significantly more costly and less convenient than roll film formats

Videos — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 camera -- large format for beginners! — Ribsy

Resources & Downloads — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

Manuals & Guides

Frequently Asked Questions — Graflex 45 Crown Graphic

What film format does the Graflex 45 Crown Graphic use?+
The camera is designed for large format sheet film, with compatibility listed for 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10 sheet film. It is primarily a 4x5 press camera by design.
What type of lenses can be used with the Crown Graphic?+
The Crown Graphic uses a lens board mount system common to technical cameras. Compatible lens types listed in the specifications include standard, wide-angle, telephoto, zoom, specialty, and interchangeable lenses.
What flash options does the camera support?+
The Graflex 45 Crown Graphic supports flash via a cold shoe and a PC sync port. Note that the cold shoe does not provide electrical contact for TTL or auto flash triggering — a separate sync cable would be used with the PC port.
When was this camera manufactured?+
According to the specifications, the Graflex 45 Crown Graphic was manufactured between 1950 and 1959, placing it firmly in the mid-20th century press camera era.
How heavy is the Crown Graphic?+
The specifications list the weight at between 2.5 and 3 pounds, making it relatively portable compared to many other large format camera systems.
What type of shutter does the Crown Graphic use?+
The Crown Graphic is equipped with a focal plane shutter, which is a defining characteristic that distinguishes it within the Graphic press camera family.

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