Speed Graphic Camera : Flight Lieutenant J T Harrison, Official Photographer, RAAF

Places
Accession Number REL32805
Collection type Technology
Object type Optical equipment
Physical description Aluminium, Brass, Leather
Place made United States of America: New York, Monroe County, Rochester
Date made pre 1943
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

The speed graphic camera is square in shape and has a brown leather handle on the left hand side. On top of the camera is a brass nomenclature and information plate that reads: 'Speed Graphic: MFG'D BY The Folmer Graflex Corporation, Rochester, N.Y, USA'. In the middle of the plate is a curtain/aperture chart. Also on the top of the camera are two eye-pieces. The first is mounted on a brass bracket and can be moved forwards or backwards. It also flips down to protect it against damage when not in use. The second eye-piece is completely attached to the camera and does not move. On the right hand side of the camera is a silver rectangular box with 'F24900' engraved at the base. It has two small measuring charts - one on the front and back, as well as a circular eye-piece/viewfinder at the top. The box is held in place by a steel bracket.

On the back of the camera is a brass box for film storage. In the middle of the box is a brass lens cover that can be flipped open. Engraved on the cover is 'GRAFLEX - Trade Mark Reg. U.S Pat. Off CUT FILM MAGAZINE, Made by Graflex Inc, Rochester 8 New York, U.S.A.' The right hand side of the box has a leather cover with strap and clip. A piece of DYMO tape is stuck to the top of the box and reads: 'J.H.2'. There is also a white '2' written on the front of the box. At the front of the camera is a hinged panel that opens downwards for the inner section of the camera, including bellows, to emerge. There is a covered button at the top centre front of the camera to open the panel.

History / Summary

This wartime Speed Graphic Camera was used by Flight Lieutenant John Thomas Harrison of the RAAF to record much of the RAAF's activities within Australia up to 1943 and then the activities in the South West Pacific Area. John Harrison was an official wartime photographer.