Lensboard for Kodak Specialist camera

[Roy]

Can anyone suggest a source of supply for a lensboard to fit this camera. The overall size is 4.5 inches square but the opening to the bellows is 4.125 inches square, leaving a border to allow for the sliding securing bar.

[Ralph Barker]

Don't forget, Roy, that the step or rabbet along the edges also acts as a light trap. Many boards will also have a ridge on the bellows side that performs the same function for the lens hole.

If you're not able to find a source of pre-made boards, they are fairly easy to make, assuming rudimentary woodworking skills and the right tools. I made several for my Tachihara 8x10 before making an adapter so I could mount most of my lenses on 110mm Toyo Field boards.

[Andrew G]

Roy, I have a colleague with a Kodak Specialist camera (size 4 3/4 x 6 1/2) and am trying to date it’s year of manufacture. I cannot find anything on the web either images or manuals. Do you have any info that could point me in the right direction? This example has a Dallmeyer Serrac lens and is marked as being made by Kodak Limited London. Andrew

[Andrew_4379]

if you look here theres a discussion on this camera ;build date from 1952-59 http://www.f32.net/discus/messages/5/37.html?1069182983. I think this design goes back much earlier to the Kodak Clinical Camera 1920's?

[Andrew G]

Thanks for the link. Someone who previously held the camera mentioned the 1920s as the manufacture year. I`m chasing up/begging further details at Eastman House with the hope of finding an old advert or further details. Instead of collecting dust in a cupboard, it will probably be exhibited/plinthed. However I`m trying to persuade my colleague to read these message boards and try out some large format techniques. Personally I`m not a photography fanatic, but I`ve seen some fantastic prints that are quite inspiring. Andrew