Crown vs. Speed Graphics [was Re: Zeiss Ikonta Shutter - Rapid and

On 3/2/2008 3:35 PM Richard Knoppow spake thus:

>     The usual reason for rejecting the Speed Graphic is 
> weight, the Crown is lighter and has a shallower box. 
> However I do find the focal plane shutter to be useful 
> especially for barrel type lenses. Also, Crown Graphics, 
> originally the economy model, are often more expensive than 
> the Speed Graphic on the used market.
>     Either will give you a taste for LF although they have 
> very limited movements and limited bellows draw. Graphic 
> cameras were intended to be hand held and offer a way of 
> getting a large negative for situations where a tripod can 
> not be used.

(Like that famous picture of Jack Ruby shooting Oswald, where at least 
one handheld Graflex is visible.)

Since we're on the subject, yes, I should have mentioned about the 
barrel lenses, though these are more rare than lenses with shutters.

Questions:

1. I didn't know that Crowns go for more than Speeds. Is this because 
people like the former better, or for other reasons (see question #2)?

2. Do Speed Graphics typically have working focal-plane shutters? I 
would have thought that because of the complexity of this mechanism, it 
might be likely to fail in cameras of this age. (I've never even seen a 
Speed Graphic up close and personal.)