Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
Cats! Now that's what I call a camera.
Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
Here are some photos of the brass parts after polishing, and of Bertha disassembled and without her pair of bellows. Note how she has the variable rear extension controlled by the lever, while the front extension is adjusted by removing the brass extension bolts and sliding the lens in its carriage.
http://www.foxnewscritic.com/BigBertha/4441.jpg
http://www.foxnewscritic.com/BigBertha/4443.jpg
http://www.foxnewscritic.com/BigBertha/4445.jpg
http://www.foxnewscritic.com/BigBertha/4448.jpg
Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
Nice one....do you also collect and restore steam locomotives?:)
Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
Damn, I'm getting ideas here. (and with a full and 35hr/week part time job, that's dangerous)
erie
Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
The hard part of building a Big Bertha is getting the glass. The 1016mm f/8 lens on mine appears to be from a prewar aerial camera: I say this because the optics are not coated; and because there is a power jack for a lens (anti-condensation) heater.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
erie patsellis
Damn, I'm getting ideas here. (and with a full and 35hr/week part time job, that's dangerous)
erie
Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
Right now you're thinking that it's Big Bertha but give it a few months and you'll be thinking that it's more like Typhoid Mary.
Anyway, it does seem like a fun thing to have. Hurry up and take some photos with it and good luck! Cheers.
Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
Steven,
She's already on the surgery table, partially disassembled for the restoration. Fortunately, the heart of the camera -- The lens -- is in almost perfect shape, just requiring a quick disassembly, cleaning and reassembly.
I'm waiting for answers on refurbishing or replacing the bellows from a couple more people; and also on a CLA of the focal plane shutter.
All that being said, my target is the middle of March to have her shooting pictures at a NASCAR track.
Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
I can't wait for the stories of being hassled by the local cops when you try and actually use this beast! I'm sure someone will think you are using some sort of rocket launcher LOL.
Re: Big Bertha's New Home!
I've been blogging Bertha's restoration on my website, which has more photos.