Big Bertha's New Home!

[Leonard Robertson]

Dan - It's great you are taking the time to share the fun of your find with the rest of us. Back in the late 1970s, I saw a Bertha on the floor behind the counter at Lens & Repro in NYC. I knew what it was, but made a point of not asking "How much?". I don't know if it had a lens as big as yours.

The last picture in your blog looks like a 4X5 spring back has been adapted to the camera. Is that what I'm seeing? It makes sense. Reducing the film size from 5X7 to 4X5 would give a tighter framing of the subject and reduce film costs. It would be interesting to know how many sheets of film were normally used during a football or baseball game.

[Dan Schwartz]

Leonard,

The Big Bertha over at Lens & Repro is still there, on the top shelf. They rent it out to use as a movie prop, but will not rent it out to actually use... I asked.

Yes, my Bertha has a 4x5 offset reducing back, and a piece of blue translucent plastic on the ground glass. I'll be replacing it with a Graflok back from a Graflex view camera; and also I'll be trying to find a 5x7 back of some sorts for full-sized photos; and here's why: I'll also be using this camera for Bar Mitzvahs & weddings where "photography" is normally prohibited (because photographers up on the bima are a pain in the ass), but a video camera is allowed at the back of the room with a long lens. Because of this, I'll want the additional field of view (angle of view) a 5x7 neg can give me.

[Though, with the f/8 lens I would need ISO 400 speed film & 1/50th second for an EV of 10, which is typical indoor lighting in the 25-30 50 footcandle range; so, for film availability reasons, I would either have to shoot B&W for 5x7 size, or shoot Kodak 4x5 inch 400NC. Yes, I could shoot 160NC in 5x7 and do a 1-1/2 to 2 stop push; but the toe (shadow detail/noise) gets a bit mushy.]

[Michael Graves]

Oddly enough, I didn't experience the barrel envy I expected. Perhaps the 53 pounds cooled me off.

[Dan Schwartz]

With my checking account $350 lighter, the two sets of bellows arrived back from Turner Bellows (Rochester, NY); and they did a nice job. New photos to follow...

Also, I've replaced all of the painted and plated screws with brass screws; and getting replated the brass-plated sheet copper and copper lens hold-down straps.

Still awaiting the return of the 5x7 Graflex Home Portrait from Ken Ruth. He's replacing the offset 4x5 reducing back with a true 5x7 back; and also making a new 4x5 reducing back with a centered Graflok back from a Graflex View Camera.

[Doug Dolde]

I am amazed that someone would mess with such a p.o.s.

[Dan Schwartz]

Doug,

You sound quite jealous.

Why don't you just go off and play with your digital camera...

I am amazed that someone would mess with such a p.o.s.

[Ash]

you're a joker Dan.

I'll admit jealousy... but then again I need to slim down a few bits I have to pay for grafmatics and a RF645 on the way soon. Oh, and I just reaped myself about 4 petzval-like front elements from some lenses

Load up some pics for us!

[Doug Dolde]

It's an Arca Swiss 4x5 Field Dan. If I was looking for stuff to fill my trash barrel with....that thing would be a prime candidate.

[ic-racer]

What does the part between the bellows do? I presume there are optics in there. What effect dose moving the front vs moving the back have?

Great project, thanks for sharing.

[Dan Schwartz]

The black metal ring, between the front and rear bellows, about 6 inches inside diameter and 4-1/2 inches thick is just a hollow spacer ring with a carrying handle screwed to the top.

Coarse focus is done in 3-1/2 inch increments by sliding out the lens on its carriage (extending the front bellows) and bolting it back down.

Fine focus is done by rotating the crank, which slides the camera box back & forth, extending the rear bellows.

What does the part between the bellows do? I presume there are optics in there. What effect dose moving the front vs moving the back have?

Great project, thanks for sharing.