I will confess to being old enough so that I used both of these cameras
when they were new and still in production so I can tell you a little
about them.
The only real difference between the two cameras is that the Crown Graphic
has a "leaf" or between- the -lens shutter. The Speed Graphic also has
a focal plane shutter. To make the focal plane shutter work you had to
wind up a spring. The tension on the spring determined the shutter speed.
These cameras were made in 2 1/4 x 3 1/4, 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 and 4 x 5 which
was the most popular but big and heavy. I had a 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 speed for
a while which I liked a lot but today you can only get Tri-X film for that
size on special order.
These cameras are best described as field cameras. As I recall you have
limited front rise and fall, tilt and swing but no shift. No rear movements
at all.
Lens boards are still available but its easy to make your own, so you
can put a variety of modern lenses on the camera. As I recall the 4 x 5
had a 150mm normal lens.
The back rotates so you can set it at landscape or portrait format.
If you buy one, examine the bellows very carefully and check out the
tracking and focus gearing for the front standard.
If I can answer any additional questions, let me know.
Bob Schramm