TFA Graflex Research (That's a Graflex, right? Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)

Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Wolfsburg said:
I had heard very early rumors a long time ago regarding this saber and had pretty much dismissed them because frankly, it all sounded pretty silly (or cheesy, as someone said earlier). Now that the saber has shown up in the trailer, to my surprise, it's suddenly looking like those early rumors that I had dismissed could be true after all. I like almost everything I've seen regarding TFA but I have very mixed feelings about the presence of this saber in the movie. It's nice to see again but I'm very curious to see how they plausibly explain how this saber is still around. Time will tell I suppose.

With that said, I am absolutely thrilled to hear that "Foodles" bothered to track down real Graflexes (and even a MPP!), and from someone here no less. I love that attention to detail and their willingness to reach out to the fanbase.

The inclusion of a MPP is very interesting and I wonder if that could indicate a Vader "flashback" or perhaps even a Force "vision" like Luke had in the cave. SW has never really done flashbacks and has only occasionally done visions, but I'm hoping it is something along those lines rather than Vader's saber also miraculously surviving as well.

Luke's ANH/ESB saber has always been my favorite and I've always meant to pick up a nice Graflex gun. However, I always brushed it aside as something I'd do "at some point". Of course, now I'm kicking myself given their renewed popularity and rising prices. Just my kind of luck! Lol!
Click to expand...

I have felt pretty much this exact way since they announced that they were making Ep. 7, and since. I've had the same question regarding a flashback breaking from the traditional SW formula as well as the inclusion of the ESB saber and the rumored introduction of it in this film as also being a break from the formula. I hoped for a long time that that rumor in particular was wrong, but as you've said, seeing that saber pretty much calmed my concerns.

And perhaps somewhat of a break from one formula (and hopefully a return to others that were lost) is good for the future of the series. Fingers crossed.
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

I'v said the same thing to myself..

"Not dropping $300 on one if its missing pins and a glass eye"
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

I'v said the same thing to myself..

"Not dropping $300 on one if its missing pins and a glass eye"

Edit: sorry for double post, wasn't showing up on my phone :(
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Romans Empire said:
Are there different variations of DV ROTJ holes? Or is there a DEFINITE hole placement?
Click to expand...

As far as I know there's just the one definite pattern.

As far as the ESB saber being in TFA, I agree it feels like a stretch. But we saw Obi-wan's TPM and ROTS sabers survive long falls, so obviously whatever they make these things out of is really robust. They should start making Stormtrooper armor and spaceships out of it...
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Here's a crazy idea. While it would not be a real Graflex, why has no one created a nice 3D file for a Graflex to be printed? We already have the awesome print of Obi's ANH saber. Couldn't be too hard, main body tubes and bunny ears. There's enough sources for replica clamps, red buttons/glass eyes, etc, and for the socket you could use the parts from the Custom Saber shop. As a matter of fact, I think they carry all you need to finish one. All we would have to do is the body and ears. A good sanding and a few coats of Alclad or SpazStix and your set to go.
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

For me it's gotta be metal, and it's gotta have that Graflex finish. You won't be able to replicate the brushed look with painted plastic, I don't think. But I'm sure someone will upload a 3D print file someday for those who are into that.
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Yeah, go big or go home.

Metal is the way to go..

especially with sabers!

The only resin saber I am interested in, is JJ Griffin's Kylo hilt.

Even that will be replaced with a Kylo Force FX when it comes out, or any other alternative when it comes out.
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Just saw that Romans is planning a Graflex run. Welp, that takes care of that!
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

mugatu said:
Buyers are learning. Passing on expensive auctions that are missing pieces...this is very good.

I found a message board where someone was claiming to be the savior of that $600 Graflex; saving it from "those Star Wars Graflex hackers". LOL The person also said upon close inspection (once they received the unit) that the unit was not pristine either (as specified in the auction). I don't recall such claims being made in the auction, but the posting person on the message board had the auction ID number listed as well.
Click to expand...


Comments from from people claiming that we're destroying photographic antiques baffle me.

I can tell you first hand that as camera equipment becomes obsolete, it's worthless to 99%
of industry professionals. Old flash units not used in SW are scrap that sell for less than their
original price 60 years ago. Graflex units would suffer the same (or worse) fate if not for our community.

In addition, some here (Chaim), have even taken to becoming photographers using this original
equipment after saving it from history's dust bin.

Finally, I just purchased a Graflex flash this week with a hole drilled in the bottom by: wait for it...
an original owner/photographer who mounted it on a tripod using the hole.

'Nuff said.

Climbing off off soapbox now...
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

It's like..

your beloved flash gun was used as the most iconic film prop in the most iconic film universe...

get over it already!
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

I always was baffled by the term "destroyed", myself. As far as I know, my own converted ANH is still perfectly functional as a flash. Like Panaflex mentioned, a tiny hole on the bottom drilled VERY neatly doesn't "destroy" a Graflex even a little bit.

Plus, there's the fact that, beside the aforementioned hole, I could convert it back to a flash on a whim. I mean, why don't they complaint about the TON of "destroyed" camera equipement that's used in building an Aliens motion tracker? Hell, just take the greeblies on the HAMA viewer, that come from a flash unit that's mostly thrown away afterwards. Now THAT I call destroyed! :p
 
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Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

I just don't see how a photographer's love of camera history trumps my love of cinema history. If they don't want camera parts ruined by SW geeks, they can buy and preserve them as well as I can buy and drill holes in them. But let's recall, they were treated as flea market trash before the internet let everyone on in the secret. They're not overly rare or obscure (Graflexes...can't speak to MPPs!)
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Exactly my point: no one even says a peep every time camera equipment is destroyed building a motion tracker. Why? They're exactly as rare, obscure, and obsolete as the Graflex. It's pure hypocrisy.
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Going back to the TFA Graflex,can anyone with better eyes than me, spot whether there's any tape on the clamp, or is there any shine to the grip screws?

I just got my ESB kit in from Roy, & as I was going through EMPIRE, in the scene on Cloud City, when Artoo is bumping into Luke, The screws in the grips look black to me.:confused

Roy's kit comes with both, but I'm not a good man to give choices to.

EDIT-

Just got an email from Parks. He will no longer produce any Graflex replicas that can be used as camera flashes. The ones being made now will be available around October, & be machined specifically for saber conversions.

Looks like Roman is going to be the only game in town.

Just don't tell him...might drive the price up.:p
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Usagi Pilgrim said:
Going back to the TFA Graflex,can anyone with better eyes than me, spot whether there's any tape on the clamp, or is there any shine to the grip screws?

I just got my ESB kit in from Roy, & as I was going through EMPIRE, in the scene on Cloud City, when Artoo is bumping into Luke, The screws in the grips look black to me.:confused

Roy's kit comes with both, but I'm not a good man to give choices to.
Click to expand...

I don't know that a tape strip is detectable in the TFA 2nd teaser.
Its also difficult to see if the screws are black or silver (or if they are definitely screws). I did see someone post a lightened still shot from the teaser where the "screws" appear to be of a lighter color than black.

If you go the ESB route, there are several setups to choose from, some just the silver screws, some with both silver and black...if choices aren't good for you, you may have picked the wrong saber to build;)
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

:lol

Fair point.:thumbsup

I'm just going with black. They're not glued in, so I can change them if necessary.
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

mugatu said:
Its also difficult to see if the screws are black or silver (or if they are definitely screws). I did see someone post a lightened still shot from the teaser where the "screws" appear to be of a lighter color than black.
Click to expand...
That was me. The screws (rivets?) are definitely lighter metal color!
 
Re: That's a Graflex, right (Force Awakens teaser trailer #2)?

Romans Empire said:
Are there different variations of DV ROTJ holes? Or is there a DEFINITE hole placement?
Click to expand...



This is what I use for DV G R A F L E X ROTJ ... I like the a-symmetry of the screw placements :)

Chaim
 
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