View Full Version : Paint? for Ansco 8x10
dsphotog
5-Oct-2013, 23:03
I have an Ansco 8x10, it was stripped to bare wood by the previous owner, I want to paint it black. It has had some rather extensive filling so staining it wont look good... My question is what paint to use...maybe black with clear gloss?
I would think twice about black, shows dust real bad. Don't stain, maybe a rub, I use Danish Watco oil on most fresh wood. My Studio Ansco has original peeling grey. Many prefer unrestored old things, patina is cherished as a sign of of good genetic makeup.
I have an Ansco 8x10, it was stripped to bare wood by the previous owner, I want to paint it black. It has had some rather extensive filling so staining it wont look good... My question is what paint to use...maybe black with clear gloss?
don mishler
5-Oct-2013, 23:51
my Ansco is grey
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Is that 8x10? Don't make me show off my 5x7 Grey Ansco, absolutely my favorite camera.
my Ansco is grey
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don mishler
6-Oct-2013, 00:19
yes Randy it is 8x10 and as I have seen so few Ansco cameras I breathlessly await a picture of your 5x7
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BTW... can anyone tell me what the bracket on the front standard is for?
You will have to wait, it's buried and I am right now testing my Darkroom water flow, I got it hooked up an hour ago. checking leaks.
I will show you some camera pics here.
Natural wood is overrated and simply an affectation, if the camera came with grey paint!
What bracket, you mean tilt? My 5x7 is very similar with the same knobs. Mostly likely 50's.
yes Randy it is 8x10 and as I have seen so few Ansco cameras I breathlessly await a picture of your 5x7
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BTW... can anyone tell me what the bracket on the front standard is for?
don mishler
6-Oct-2013, 01:11
no I am curious about the silver bracket on the side of the front standard above the rise fall knob.
I have a grey Burke and James 5x7 and I really grew to love the color. The Ansco is like a B&J plus and I am really enjoying it so far. The black plastic knobs do have a real 50's feel to me.
I think mine has the same silver bracket, I figured it was an option for flash, as I have seen a similar thing on Press cameras.
Ansco is way nicer than B&J which I do have few of.
no I am curious about the silver bracket on the side of the front standard above the rise fall knob.
I have a grey Burke and James 5x7 and I really grew to love the color. The Ansco is like a B&J plus and I am really enjoying it so far. The black plastic knobs do have a real 50's feel to me.
Jac@stafford.net
6-Oct-2013, 08:16
[...] BTW... can anyone tell me what the bracket on the front standard is for?
It might be the attachment point for a vignetter which later was improved and is called today a compendium lens shade. I have such but the mount is a bit different.
Petzval Paul
6-Oct-2013, 08:43
I had a grey ansco 8x10 and still have a B&J 4x5 that was also grey. I doubt that I will ever buy such a grey camera again as stripping them was just too much work. The grey was pretty much stained into the wood and too much sanding would have been needed, so I just painted it with black ink and then coated it with shellac that had a bit of lamp black in it. Looks pretty cool with the red bellows :)
don mishler
6-Oct-2013, 09:04
as I said the gray kind of grew on me and I will not be changing mine but paul how about a picture
Louis Pacilla
6-Oct-2013, 09:51
I know this not the lovely "Steel Grey" Ansco wood work but instead is the ugly "Adams Brown" stain but here's my 5x7 with matching ugly camera stand and original hard case( Not as ugly as that brown color).;)
don mishler
6-Oct-2013, 10:11
still a beautiful camera...... my 8x10 also came with original case
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yes Randy it is 8x10 and as I have seen so few Ansco cameras I breathlessly await a picture of your 5x7
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BTW... can anyone tell me what the bracket on the front standard is for?
You need to remember that these cameras changed during WWII, the older Ansco cameras evolved and became Agfa Ansco.Then the company was taken over halfway through WWII, when the US joined the war, all camera production at Bingham ceased, they made sextons and other instruments instead. The LF cameras were made elsewhere with slight changes and some different hardware, more utilitarian for government &military contracts. Before this most cameras were stained although the De-luxe versions were offered painted grey but after the changes all Ansco LF cameras were painted grey.
Ian
redshift
6-Oct-2013, 13:33
Maybe the bracket is a place to park the dark slide? I read in an owners manual somewhere about a clip for holding a darkcloth. Maybe that was a Calumet.
My gray Ansco ended up looking like this....
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Another one headed for the same fate.
dsphotog
6-Oct-2013, 13:38
I agree with all of you, but in this instance, my camera was stripped to bare wood before I got it, so original patina is long gone. I also have an older version 8x10 with nice stained wood & brass hardware that i'm keeping original. I also have 2 5x7s in orig gray finish.
This one is going to be a user, it has had a lot of filler in very visible places that stain wont cover. With nickel plated hardware, I wanted to go black.
The question remains, what type, brand, of paint, enamel, lacquer?. Maybe an opaque stain would cover completely? Do I need primer, maybe a clear coat over the color coat?
If I was to go gray, any help with what type, brand, shade of paint etc.
redshift
6-Oct-2013, 13:53
I agree with all of you, but in this instance, my camera was stripped to bare wood before I got it, so original patina is long gone. I also have an older version 8x10 with nice stained wood & brass hardware that i'm keeping original. I also have 2 5x7s in orig gray finish.
This one is going to be a user, it has had a lot of filler in very visible places that stain wont cover. With nickel plated hardware, I wanted to go black.
The question remains, what type, brand, of paint, enamel, lacquer?. Maybe an opaque stain would cover completely? Do I need primer, maybe a clear coat over the color coat?
If I was to go gray, any help with what type, brand, shade of paint etc.
Try this plus a urethane clear coat in the gloss of your choice
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2020491/22650/General-Finishes-Water-Based-Dye-Ebony-Pint.aspx
dsphotog
6-Oct-2013, 14:47
Redshift, your camera looks outstanding! I'd try to replicate yours, but.... Mine had a large chunk broken out of the side of the rear standard, filled and sanded now.
That's why I think an opaque finish would be better.... Maybe gray after all.
Mark Sampson
6-Oct-2013, 17:27
Ha. c.1981 I tried to take the gray paint off my Ansco 8x10. See Petzval Paul's comment... I did get the paint off eventually, and stained it with Minwax; it never looked as good as the original, even though the gray paint showed decades of abuse. Perhaps the OP has my old camera.
Here are 5X7 Kodak and Ansco both with factory finishes, obviously the Kodak Clinical Camera, made in UK is factory black and the Ansco is factory grey. The Ansco came with 4 backs, matching grey 4x5, 5x7 5x7 slider. The 4th back is a natural wood slider 4x5. Both cameras are in amazing condition. The Kodak seems to me to resemble a Graflex Crown View camera. I like using the Ansco 5x7 sliding back.
Pick your color, black or grey. I am certainly not stripping any paint off these gems.
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After doing a bit of research for my own camera and trying some "automotive" paints in an aeresol can, I came across this stuff:http://www.eastwood.com/paints/2k-aero-spray-paints.html
I've yet to buy/use it but likely will for the wood parts on my camera. This is one of the only products on the market that will achieve a hard "car like" finish. Drawback, one-time use. I tried rust o leuk auto paint topped with clear laquer spray and the finish wasn't as durable as I'd hoped.
2 part paint in a 2 chamber spray can, pretty cool. Eastwood makes some great stuff. Cabinet makers use automotive paint to achieve certains looks. Epoxy type paints can be very tough, Imron (epoxy paint) was used on trucks and I sprayed my BSA with black Imron. I think Imron is banned now, it was very poisonous. Needed a special respirator.
If I had spare change, I would paint some things unusual colors.
After doing a bit of research for my own camera and trying some "automotive" paints in an aeresol can, I came across this stuff:http://www.eastwood.com/paints/2k-aero-spray-paints.html
I've yet to buy/use it but likely will for the wood parts on my camera. This is one of the only products on the market that will achieve a hard "car like" finish. Drawback, one-time use. I tried rust o leuk auto paint topped with clear laquer spray and the finish wasn't as durable as I'd hoped.
Petzval Paul
6-Oct-2013, 19:35
Was in the darkroom tonight printing pics taken with my 4x5 so I missed this but will take a quick digipic tomorrow morning of mine. Personally, I don't have much free time so I would rather be using my camera instead of stripping, sanding, finishing, etc. An older, very collectible camera might be a different story, of course, but an inexpensive one like mine is really just a 'user' anyway, so I would rather be using it :)
Pete Watkins
7-Oct-2013, 00:13
Randy,
Your Kodak Clinical looks a lot like my UK built Kodak Specialist No. 2 half plate. If it's a UK camera are you sure that it's 5x7 and not half late.
I have an original wood finish 5x7 Ansco made in 1926/7 that apart from a new set of bellows is in original condition, lovely patina. I understand that Agfa bought out Ansco in 1927 and all the cameras were marketed as Agfa Ansco. This might be duff information but I got it from more than one source.
Pete.
evan clarke
7-Oct-2013, 06:14
Rustoleum make a fine textured, black spray can paint which is excellent for cameras. I just sprayed the bottom plate on my Bronica RF645 and it's better than the original finish. Am also going to restore an Ansco 8x10 and finish it with the Rustoleum.
Rustoleum make a fine textured, black spray can paint which is excellent for cameras. I just sprayed the bottom plate on my Bronica RF645 and it's better than the original finish. Am also going to restore an Ansco 8x10 and finish it with the Rustoleum.
I was looking at Rustoleum paints yesterday I wanted orange to restore an old Ensign safe-light. What's the textured black finish called ? I didn't see it on the shelf and could use something like this quite frequently.
Ian
Pete,
It was sold as 5x7, but I did notice the GG was small. I thought that strange, but didn't worry as the camera was so nice. I just now did some research and yes you must be correct. Modern half plate holders are the same size as 5x7, so it can shoot both. I have shot it only a few times and didn't notice vignetting. My Ansco GG is exactly 5x7" and my Kodak GG is 4-3/4 x 6-1/2. I have not checked T distance but I will later.
Do you any further insights, history of either camera?
Good eye Pete!
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Randy,
Your Kodak Clinical looks a lot like my UK built Kodak Specialist No. 2 half plate. If it's a UK camera are you sure that it's 5x7 and not half late.
I have an original wood finish 5x7 Ansco made in 1926/7 that apart from a new set of bellows is in original condition, lovely patina. I understand that Agfa bought out Ansco in 1927 and all the cameras were marketed as Agfa Ansco. This might be duff information but I got it from more than one source.
Pete.
Do you any further insights, history of either camera?
I have a 1940 Kodak Professional Catalogue here in front of me and Pete's camera is listed on page 18. There's a Kodak View and a Police version, your Clinical camera may vary slightly and is listed on page 39 & 40. It came with a Kodak Anastigmat f7.7 8" lens in a Compur, this is a British made version of the dialyte lens (an uncoated Ektar) and unlike the US 205mm/8" f7.7 Ektar (and earlier Anastigmat) is fully #0 compatible
If you want I can scan or photograph the pages.
Ian
Ian,
I would be most grateful if you would image the appropriate pages.
Thank you!
I have a 1940 Kodak Professional Catalogue here in front of me and Pete's camera is listed on page 18. There's a Kodak View and a Police version, your Clinical camera may vary slightly and is listed on page 39 & 40. It came with a Kodak Anastigmat f7.7 8" lens in a Compur, this is a British made version of the dialyte lens (an uncoated Ektar) and unlike the US 205mm/8" f7.7 Ektar (and earlier Anastigmat) is fully #0 compatible
If you want I can scan or photograph the pages.
Ian
Petzval Paul
7-Oct-2013, 08:47
Here's the B&J I stripped and 'ebonized.' It isn't fancy, but the red bellows are cool and I made a rustic wetplate back for it that actually works quite well, giving me 4.75" x 4.75" plates. Both the finishing and the wetpalte back were done quickly and easily, but the camera works well and I was up and shooting with it in no time.
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Petzval Paul
7-Oct-2013, 08:48
Oh, sorry for the lame jpeg I quickly took with my phone before work this morning!
It does look very nice, and I love red bellows. Are your bellows original? I have found B&J bellows get very stiff with age. :(
I found I could take 5x7 frames off a B&J monorail and fit them easily to B&J 4x5 flatbed. Then I bought an Ansco. :)
Here's the B&J I stripped and 'ebonized.' It isn't fancy, but the red bellows are cool and I made a rustic wetplate back for it that actually works quite well, giving me 4.75" x 4.75" plates. Both the finishing and the wetpalte back were done quickly and easily, but the camera works well and I was up and shooting with it in no time.
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Petzval Paul
7-Oct-2013, 09:26
Yes, they are original. Fortunately, they are still light-tight and supple. I printed a pic I took with it last night.... will upload now to the alternative process gallery.
Kirk Fry
7-Oct-2013, 21:25
I have an old grey 8X10 one with the tilting front lens board. Seems to me if they came from the factory in grey, that is the way they aught to stay. You can have them in any color as long as it is grey... KF
Pete Watkins
8-Oct-2013, 00:19
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Hi Randy,
As far as I can find out the Specialist No.2 was made between 1950 & 57. They also came with smaller backs (4x5 I assume). Kodak had (it might still be there) a large factory in the Harrow area of North London. It was next to the west coast main line. I have no idea if they were equipped to produce these caneras or if the sub contracted the order out (Ian might know). I'm adding a couple of not impressive pictures of my No.2. It looks as though it was sold without an extension base as a stop is fitted but I have an extension base that needs a bit of adapting to make it fit.
Pete.
Pete Watkins
8-Oct-2013, 00:25
Just a couple of my 1926/7 Ansco 5x7 (I have a 4x5 back as well). It's all original except for the bellows. When I bought it it had the wrong sized (or shortened) bellows on it. Now it attracts too much attention when I'm out with it but I love it.
Pete.
Pete,
I like the bail back. The back springs on mine were so tight, I took out the helper springs and the main springs are still very tight. A bail would be useful.
I think these are kinda cool with all the geared movements. Mine was a little loose. Rear tilt was floppy. I tightened the adjustable parts by careful bending and waxed the ways. The steel finger riders in the flatbed have adjustable tangs.
Mine has the bed stop also and I have the original extension, which fortuitously fits exactly in an 8x10 paper box. It has a second stop on it. All the wood is very dense and heavy, since it is painted I have no idea what it is.
My camera appears to have been very lightly used and was sold as having a new bellows. They sure look new.
Now I want to find the proper 1/2 plate holders...
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Hi Randy,
As far as I can find out the Specialist No.2 was made between 1950 & 57. They also came with smaller backs (4x5 I assume). Kodak had (it might still be there) a large factory in the Harrow area of North London. It was next to the west coast main line. I have no idea if they were equipped to produce these caneras or if the sub contracted the order out (Ian might know). I'm adding a couple of not impressive pictures of my No.2. It looks as though it was sold without an extension base as a stop is fitted but I have an extension base that needs a bit of adapting to make it fit.
Pete.
Pete Watkins
8-Oct-2013, 09:30
Hi Randy,
I don't know what the postage would be but this dealer has three https://secure.peterwalnes.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,69/Itemid,1/
Pete.
Wow, I gotta be careful what I wish for!
He has a shipping chart right on his website.
I would prefer wood holders as I think they are better with wood cameras. However nice wood 1/2 plate holders may be much more rare.
Thanks Pete!
Hi Randy,
I don't know what the postage would be but this dealer has three https://secure.peterwalnes.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,69/Itemid,1/
Pete.
evan clarke
8-Oct-2013, 10:10
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Bought at Home Depot
dsphotog
8-Oct-2013, 13:58
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I saw that stuff, looked interesting.... I bought brush-on rustoleum primer, I still need to decide on final color...it's between a glossy dark gray, a satin lighter gray, or, gloss black. The metal parts on my camera appear to be stainless steel.
Bought at Home Depot
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