Christmas at Grassmere

         Last weekend my family decided we'd take a spontaneous trip to the Nashville Zoo. I had been hoping to go and try some new film I had purchased for 4x5. Foma's new Retropan Soft 320. (A panchromatic black and white film supposedly good at rendering half tones and softer lighting effects.) There have been some special Christmas activities planned for the month of December and I thought this to be a great opportunity to try some of the new film. 
     I had learned the hard way earlier in the year about not having a bag full of holders preloaded and ready to go. So I solved that by reminding myself to always have my Super D and Pacemaker Speed Graphic ready to go. So I always keep them at the ready with color and black and white holders loaded just in case. Which was good as all I had to do was grab and go. 
     On a whim I also grabbed my Graflex Graphic 35, a small fixed lens 35mm camera for general snap-shooting. (I'll be posting a review on this fabulous little camera later.) I loaded it up with Fuji Acros 100. Another famed black and white film I've never shot before. 
     We arrived on a particularly cold day. Thus most of the Zoo was deserted. 
     

Remodeled Entrance Nashville Zoo.
(Graflex Graphic 35 shot with Fuji Across 100)

         
     Many of the animals are not suited to the colder weather and were in their shelters. After a short walk we came to the Grassmere House.

Graflex Graphic 35 shot with Fuji Acors 100

     The Grassmere Historic House was built in 1810. Constructed by Col. Michael Dunn it is the second largest old home in Davidison County Tennessee that is open to the public. Col. Dunn's son-in-law later purchased the adjacent farm, and it prospered late into the 1800's.
     Eventually the house and farm were handed down the line of family to William and Kate Croft. Their two daughters Margaret and Elise, having no children of their own and concerned for the future of their home, entered into an agreement with the Nashville Children's Museum in 1964. The agreement stipulated that the Museum would pay for the property taxes and maintenance of the property and the sisters could live there for the rest of their lives. Upon their deaths, ownership of the home would transfer totally to the Museum. The only stipulation was that the property would have to be used as a "nature study center," to educate the public about animals and the environment.

Grassmere Historic Home during Christmas weekend celebration.

Graflex 4x5 Super D: Ilford HP5+

     It eventually became Grassmere Wildlife Park with trails and examples of native North American Wildlife, but was not profitable and closed in 1995. It become the property of Nashville Metro and in keeping with the will of the Croft Sisters the Nashville Zoo was invited to utilize the property. The house was restored and reopened to the public in 1998. With the farm opening in 1999. 
    Today, the Nashville Zoo runs right next to the home and offers visitors a very unique zoo going experience with the Historic Home offering many unique activities and presentations along with the adjacent farm and the Zoo and it's very bio-diverse exhibits. 

"Tipton and Boone" American Milking Devons
Graflex Graphic 35: Fuji Acros 100

Graflex Graphic 35: Fuji Acros 100

It was a cold day. A child watches the animals from the shelter of the barn.
Graflex Graphic 35: Fuji Acros 100

     This particular day had some Christmas celebrations and tours of the house available. Flash was prohibited inside the house, and since I had only two holders of 400 speed film I didn't shoot any inside. (Another time perhaps?) But they did have some live music and an Organ Grinder outside the front. 

Ted Guillaum and His Mechanical Organ.
Graflex Super D 4x5 with Foma Retropan 320. 

     
     Ted is a kind man, who seemed as interested in my Graflex as I his mechanical instrument. The instrument is an Organ made in Germany and is designed to be operated using reels similar to a small player piano reel. Here, have a visit at his website, he can explain it better than I can!  http://organgrinderted.weebly.com/about.html

     After meeting Ted and touring the home we set about visiting around the zoo. Here are some photos of our visit. 

I missed the recorder players, but I didn't their instruments.
Graflex Super D 4x5 with Foma Retropan 320

     A few of the animals were out. Flamingos don't seem to mind the cold.

Graflex Graphic 35 with Fuji Acros 100

Graflex Graphic 35 with Fuji Acros 100

Clouded Leopard taking a break.
Graflex Graphic 35 with Fuji Acros 100

     

"Wildlife of a Different Sort...My Two Sons!"
Graflex Graphic 35 with Fuji Acros 100

Graflex Super D 4x5, Ilford HP5+

     By this time the sun was getting low and we called a day of it. All in all, a fun day with family, new friends and the Graflex. 

     Once again thanks for reading and until next time, search for beauty and creativity in the great world around us!
 

The Graflex Super D Part II

        Winter last year was surprisingly cold and had a lot of snow, for us anyway. So that led to some nice shooting opportunities as well as some time to work on and tweak some gear. Many of the old cameras I shoot need continuous TLC. Or you miss something and it needs to be fixed or cleaned. So last winter left me with plenty of time to work on stuff.  As well as take a few photos. 

Graflex Super D (3.25 x 4.25 Version) Shot with Medium Format film in Graflex "23" (6x9cm) back.
Kodak Portra 160 Film Rated at 125 and self processed at normal times.
 Oaklands Historic Mansion 

Graflex Super D (3.25 x 4.25 Version) Shot with Medium Format film in Graflex "23" (6x9cm) back. 
Kodak Portra 160 Film Rated at 125 and self processed at normal times.
 Oaklands Historic Mansion 

Graflex Super D (3.25 x 4.25 Version) Shot with Medium Format film in Graflex "23" (6x9cm) back. 
Kodak Portra 160 Film Rated at 125 and self processed at normal times.
 "Side Door"

Graflex Super D (3.25 x 4.25 Version) Shot with Medium Format film in Graflex "23" (6x9cm) back. 
Kodak Portra 160 Film Rated at 125 and self processed at normal times.
 "Stumped"

      
      While continuing to work on and clean up the 3x4 Super D, I came across a 4x5 version. It is a curious example and supposedly has an interesting history. I bought this particular Super D, a 4x5 version, from "Victory Camera" out in Colorado. They have great service and great products. I buy quite a bit of vintage gear from them. This particular Super D was supposedly owned by Colin Cantwell, the designer of many of the Starships from the original Star Wars films. Since the original light sabers were made from Graflex flashes called the "Graflite," I have to wonder if the flash for this camera became a light saber? Who knows? True or not all of these camera not only bear histories, they are history themselves. 
          So when I received it I did a little work on the mainspring and bearings as well as clean it as best I could. The grip was not original and I made a nylon strap to hold as a temporary replacement. There was a metal shield inside to protect the hood from the screws from the grip handle screws. I had to see how it worked and I made a handful of exposures. The old workhorse still functioned after decades of non-use. A testament to the longevity of these cameras.

Graflex Super D (4x5 Version) . 
Ilford HP5+ and self processed at normal times.

Graflex Super D (4x5 Version) cropped
Ilford HP5+ and self processed at normal times.

Graflex Super D (4x5 Version) . 
Ilford HP5+ and self processed at normal times.
"Roots"

           After testing I knew it was special and had to sent to be CLA'd (clean lubed and adjusted) by Charles Monday, THE Graflex expert. He did an amazing job, as well as clue me in to the history of this special camera. It was made in 1947. An interesting date as the 4x5 Super D's official release isn't listed until 1948. But Graflex was shifting ownership during this time and the records are unclear. What is clear is that there were two runs made in 1947. This camera was in the second run and was number 422 of the first 1000 to come off the line. 
         Not surprisingly, a camera this old has some problems. The grip needed to be replaced. The rails have teeth for the focus knob gears to engage. They are quite worn near infinity focus. So it's a little rougher to focus at that distance, but not impossibly so. The second and more serious issue was the mainspring. This spring controls the curtain shutter. This shutter has slits that yield a varying speed for exposures. The springs loose tension over time and this one was no different. The max speeds are quite slower than spec. But the good news is, they are consistent which make compensation much easier.            
         In any case, when Charles returned my Graflex it was like new. I cannot recommend him enough if you obtain a Graflex and need work on it. The Graflex, in and of itself is a classic work of art, made in a time of great craftsmanship and American innovation.
         I apologize for the delay in posting, the last year was a very busy and hectic one with one occurrence after another vying for my attention. It is my hope this year to do a great deal of shooting with these wonderful cameras as well as introduce you to some more examples of these American classics.           
        
Once again thanks for reading and until next time, search for beauty and creativity in the great world around us!