Early 19th-century cameras did not require shutters because the light-sensitive materials reacted slowly. Photographers would remove the lens cap and time the exposure using a watch. However, as photographic materials became more sensitive, mechanical shutters were necessary to time exposures in a fraction of a second.
Most early shutters were located directly behind or within the lens. Photographers would open the shutter to compose the image on a ground glass, then close the shutter, place the film, and finally trip the shutter to make the exposure. William Folmer revolutionized this process by inventing a focal-plane shutter, which was placed at the back of the camera next to the film. This shutter had several advantages. Firstly, it allowed a mirror to be placed behind the lens so that the photographer could compose and focus the image, then flip the mirror out of the way to trip the shutter. This sped up the time between composing the picture and taking it. Secondly, it was faster than mechanical lens shutters, which were limited to about 1/100th of a second at the turn of the century, whereas Folmer’s focal-plane shutter could achieve speeds of up to 1/1000th of a second.
In 1890, William Folmer and William Schwing founded the Folmer & Schwing Manufacturing Company. Initially, they produced bicycles, but by the turn of the century, they were manufacturing cameras. They branded these cameras as Graphic cameras, and the version with an attached mirror was called the Graphic Reflex, later shortened to Graflex. This camera became their most iconic product.
In 1905, Eastman Kodak acquired the company, merging it with the Century Camera Company to form the Folmer & Schwing Division of Eastman Kodak. This division operated for the next two decades. However, due to antitrust regulations in the 1920s, Kodak was required to divest some of its assets, including the Folmer-Century Division. In 1926, it became an independent company named Folmer Graflex, which was renamed Graflex Inc. in 1945.
Graflex cameras were designed for professional use, primarily in studios. They also became the preferred choice for photojournalists with the Crown Graphic and Speed Graphic models. These cameras were nearly identical, except that the Speed Graphic featured a focal-plane shutter while the Crown Graphic did not. The Graphics of this era were lightweight, sturdy, versatile, and could be fitted with flash-bulb attachments, making them suitable for a variety of photographic tasks.
However, Graflex faced challenges in diversifying its product line. While its professional Graphic and Graflex cameras were popular, the company’s attempts to enter the amateur market with models like the Ciroflex and Century were less successful. Their efforts to import and co-brand Japanese cameras from Kowa and Norita also did not yield the desired results.
This lack of diversification became problematic as the market shifted. The rise of miniature cameras from brands like Nikon and Leica, as well as medium format cameras from Rollei and Hasselblad, led to a decline in demand for Graflex’s traditional models. By 1966, Graflex was absorbed by Singer, known for its sewing machines, and became part of Singer’s audio/visual division. Although Graflex introduced the modular XL system, it failed to gain traction. By 1973, Graflex had quietly disappeared from the market.
Graflex Brief History Overview
The Graflex story begins with the founding of the Folmer and Schwing Manufacturing Company in New York City in 1887 by William F. Folmer and William E. Schwing. Initially, the company manufactured gas light fixtures, chandeliers, and bicycles, eventually expanding into cameras.
In 1909, George Eastman acquired the company, relocating it to Rochester, New York, where it operated as the Folmer & Schwing Division of the Eastman Kodak Company. Due to anti-trust regulations, Kodak divested the division in 1926, forming the Folmer Graflex Corporation, which later became Graflex Inc. in 1946. The company changed hands several times, becoming part of the General Precision Equipment in 1956 and later the Singer Corporation in 1968.
Graflex became renowned for the Speed Graphic camera, a staple for photojournalists in the first half of the 20th century. William F. Folmer, co-founder and inventor, guided the company as it shifted focus from gas lamps to photography, releasing the first Graflex camera in 1899. By 1905, the company had fully transitioned to photographic equipment under Eastman Kodak’s ownership. Following a series of ownership changes and anti-trust divestitures, Graflex operated independently until its acquisition by the General Precision Equipment and later the Singer Corporation, continuing operations until 1973.
From 1912 to 1973, Graflex produced a range of large and medium format press cameras, including the Speed Graphic and Crown Graphic models. These cameras varied in film formats from 2¼ by 3¼ inches to 4 by 5 inches, and also included rangefinder, SLR, and TLR cameras in sizes from 35mm to 5 by 7 inches. The Rochester plant also manufactured the Century Studio Camera, marketed under both Kodak and Graflex brands.
The first Graflex-branded camera, released in 1898, was the Graflex Reflex, an early single lens reflex (SLR) camera. It featured a swinging-mirror, through-the-lens viewing mechanism, making it popular for sports and press photography due to its focal plane shutter that enabled fast shutter speeds. The Graflex Reflex was also favored by fine art photographers, leading to the development of specialized soft-focus lenses.
The Speed Graphic, produced from 1912 to 1973, was a folding camera with a focal plane shutter, popular among press photographers for its lightweight, rugged design and versatile lens compatibility. The Speed Graphic’s distinctive focal plane shutter movement, which caused wheels in photographs to appear oval-shaped, became a graphical symbol of speed. Crown Graphic models, similar to the Speed Graphic, lacked the focal plane shutter, allowing for the use of wider angle lenses due to their more compact design.
Graflex cameras, particularly the Speed Graphic and Crown Graphic, remain popular among fine art photographers for their unique image creation capabilities and straightforward mechanical design. These cameras continue to be used for their ability to accommodate specialized lenses and create distinctive photographic effects.
