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I recently got a set of 5x7 bellows from Jim Ormond. It took a while (months), so take that into consideration. Price was reasonable.

His number:
909-980-0606

Here are my thoughts and opinions on the matter. Others are more qualified than me to answer.

1. I've used several like Lisco, Fidelity, Riteway, and some others, both wood and plastic. Any of...

Here's a first test photo (cropped because my scanner doesn't have 4x5 coverage) using the camera.
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What can I say, at least they hold still for me!

I also did some children's portraits...

Jim, thanks for sharing this. As I have started using the camera a little bit, I do like the quality of the bellows. They have a lot of flexibility and seem to be well made. Hopefully I didn't come...

You've 2x'ed the width, 2x'ed the height, and 4x'ed the area. It's hard to say anyone is either right or wrong if they haven't specified what dimensions they're referring. :)

Robert, you're close! Glad to know there are other LF'ers in East Texas (I'm in Longview).

I just had a set of bellows made by Jim Ormond, the previous owner of the now defunct Western Bellows in...

I wish I were closer. Texas is just a bit far from NH. If I ever make it up that way I'll check in with you to see if you still have it!

I'm sure shipping costs would be crazy?...

So what are the downsides to Elwoods? Just being old doesn't make it a bad thing...

I will keep my eyes open and be patient then. It's good to hear there are some deals out there.

Good stuff! When I looked at your link I also found a wood 5x7 back that looks like it could match right up. I don't know if it's Ansco or not but the brass hardware looks the same. Now you got my...

I don't have a darkroom. I think I would like to. Is there a relatively inexpensive enlarger for 5x7 negs or is this mostly a big money endeavor. Seems like what I'm seeing on eBay and CL start at...

Randy,

Thanks for that info! I've been wondering if there are other backs for this camera.

I just got to thinking about this today; not sure why I hadn't thought of it before: there's no way to...

The project nears completion... I still have a couple minor things to do, but it's about ready to use!!

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Two new things: new ground glass and new bellows! (Sorry about the poor...

Thanks to all for the Kodak Series adapter solution. I was able to find one, buy one, and not spend a lot of money. And it fits like a charm!

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Jeremy

I didn't remove the riveted sections, I just worked them in place as good as I could. Those are some of the slow going sections. I just was not confident that I could get it apart and back together...

That's what I was hoping to hear! That way I can use what I already have. I just found and ordered a Series 6 38mm adapter, so I'll see how it goes. Thanks.

Jeremy

That's neat! I really like the brass knobs!

One very good suggestion that's been mentioned is to keep parts together while dissembling, otherwise you might not remember how it goes back together....

Sure. Most of the work is in the sanding and preparation. I removed as much of the brass hardware as I could, and sanded off the old paint and finish. I used 150 grit, or sometimes 100 grit paper for...

Great, thanks. I found what you're talking about on eBay, and it looks like it should work, if I can find one in right lens diameter.

Hello All,

I am requesting some help. I would like the ability to put filters on the Optar 135mm lens on my Graphic View camera. It's not threaded! What do you do?

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Ideally, it would...

Thanks for the advice! I'll look into both.

Just realized the attachments on my last reply didn't post. Here's where I am today:

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Great write up, thanks for sharing!

I didn't have a lens with the camera, so I started doing some looking and ended up buying a 210mm Rodenstock f5.6 Sironar-N as a starter. I built a lensboard from a thin sheet of maple, but I didn't...

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The bellows have so far been my biggest hurdle. I thought for a while about trying to make some, but felt that would be quite a challenge. I even went so far as to practice making bellows...

Some repair was required of the rear standard, and a couple of other places. The wood had developed cracks and splits that would cause problems down the road if not repaired. So before sanding and...

The bellows were old, pretty stiff, and brittle. I took them off and set them aside and focused my efforts and the remaining pieces.

Also one of the parts is a 4x5 back that's not part of the...

Disassembling the camera was not difficult, but perhaps a little difficult bringing myself to do it. There were so many parts and pieces. I ended up taking a lot of pictures of parts at various...

After receiving the camera, I was concerned that I had bitten off more than I could chew.
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I've done a little restoration of old furniture and tools, but never a camera. Furthermore, my...

A number of months ago a fellow LF forum member gave away the project camera below. It's a 5x7 Agfa Ansco. I'm guessing 1940's vintage, but I don't know for certain.

It's been a relatively slow...

You have an amazing understanding of light. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Neat! What formats are you coming from?

Is that Caddo Lake?

And that is one of my key concerns. Restoring a camera is already a somewhat tedious effort - ultimately I would like to be able to use it. If nothing else I should at least get some quotes.

And if you have, what are your experiences? Was it worth to make your own rather than buy new?

I am trying to decide on which way to go (buy it or build it) for an Ansco 5x7 project that I am...

Yes. That, and a dslr, are the only meters I have ever used with film. It works fine. Remember that film has more latitude than digital, so if it works on digital, it will be fine on film.

Welcome to the forum, from east texas.

That's great! I wish a lot more kids could be exposed to photography rather than certain alternative activities. Too bad there aren't more (grown up) LF'ers to teach kids.

On a related note I...

Does roll film count if it is shot on a 4x5 camera? My apologies if not...

This is actually my first optical print. Don't have a darkroom... so I did this in a "sun room" instead.
...

Re-attaching image... better quality this time. Couldn't figure out how to edit or delete prior post.
...

After making several exposure and development "improvements", here's my latest attempt...

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KNEoQsVr1rk/UWsmzKWtv4I/AAAAAAAADKo/-RKDIh1UKuM/s748/ferns_web.jpg
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