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Thread: newbie to LF from Scotland

  1. #1

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    newbie to LF from Scotland

    Stuck in the rural Scottish Borders I've had to make do with digital. Had a brief go with a local photographers MPP 5x4 monorail and I was hooked. But I could never afford a camera of my own. Then by shear luck I managed to pick up a B&J 5x4 Grover Monorail for peanuts. Its presently in the care of the Royal Mail, winging its way to me through snow and rain.

    It needs a lens and the back/viewing hood/glass. But apart form that looks restorable. I plan eventually to strip the paint back to wood. but first order of battle is to get it up and working.

    Am going to use the camera for mostly portraits. If I'm brave, both indoors and out.

    Are there anyone other LF users on the Forum from Scotland?

    Regards
    Chris

  2. #2

    Join Date
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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    I'm from Yorkshire, but will be in Glencoe first week of Feb. More than happy to communicate and meet up occasionally.

    Welcome
    Bruce

  3. #3

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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    Forgot to say that I have a few spare Kodak 5x4 ground glass if you want one for the cost of posting.

    Bruce

  4. #4

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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    Welcome from bonny California!
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  5. #5
    おせわに なります! Andrew O'Neill's Avatar
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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    Welcome Chris! My dad's from Invergordon. I've been to Scotland many times. Endless photographic possibilities.

  6. #6

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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    Hi Bruce, John and Andrew. Thanks for the warm welcome. I got my hands on the camera today. Picked it up off a well known internet auction site. I'm not sure if you are able to post pictures here, so I've put them on my website. It looks in reasonable condition, well atleast the wood and metal does. The bellows as might be expected failed the light test. But then I think there was a clue in that the edges of the bellows had at sometime in the past been painted with dabs of black paint which have now cracked with age and or use. The back is missing the viewfinder/DD slide holder (I did now this when I bought it). I can get a replacement from the States but its crazy price of over £100 once you include shipping and import taxes! Has anyone any ideas on a replacement/adapter I could make. I am trying to do this on a budget.

  7. #7

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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    For new bellows see Custom Bellows in Brum. Really nice people to deal with.
    Pete

  8. #8

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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete Watkins View Post
    For new bellows see Custom Bellows in Brum. Really nice people to deal with.
    Pete
    For the cost of those bellows you can buy a complete modern 4X5 monorail camera, and have change for some extras.... just my 2 cents.
    If you are set on restoring the grover you can find primo quality bellows on ebay (from hong kong) for much less, though replacing the bellows is a major undertaking on this particular camera...

    If you want i might even have a spare 4X5 back that will fit your camera, complete with spring and glass for not much money.

  9. #9

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    Jan 2015
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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    Took a long hard look at the cost of the missing pieces (lens & film back) and the replacement of the bellows. It was going to cost a considerable amount to get up and running. At the same time I was lucky enough to see a Calumet CC400 with a film back (in mint - condition) offered at less than a third the cost of vastly less cost than repairing the B&J. The only thing missing was a lens. It was a steal. So I've changed horses mid race and gone with the Calumet. I intend to sell the B&J on ebay, maybe someone will restore it or use it for parts.

  10. #10

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    Re: newbie to LF from Scotland

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	c400 a-mk2.jpg 
Views:	32 
Size:	217.5 KB 
ID:	128635 I bought it from a guy in Liverpool who tells me he bought it from a dealer called Iris Point Cameras in Montana.

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