Gran View 4x5

[dazedgonebye]

Ok, I just made a semi-impulse buy of a Gran View 4x5 camera.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=150336478498

I haven't been able to find out much about it. The knocks I read are that the construction is not stellar and the focusing is very rough.
I know lots of folks would just build their own point and shoot, but I was pretty sure that wouldn't work out for me. Anyway, I paid about $175 for it and now I'll be saving/looking for a 75mm lens.

Any comments on this camera? Have I done alright or have I bought myself useless trouble?

[Gem Singer]

You just wasted $175.00.

[dazedgonebye]

You just wasted $175.00.

It's that hopeless?

[Ed Richards]

If it is light tight, the back works, and there is a way to attach a lens, it might be fun. You can buy a 75 for less than 300 from KEH.

[Archphoto]

If you wanted a point and shoot wide angle 4x5, now you got one.
Now a 75mm SA or Grandagon and a CLA for the focussing mechanism and you should be ready to try it out.

If you are planning to mount the 75 yourself: check-out micro-tools for some lithium based grease and do the CLA your self, there not that many parts in that camera anyway.

Good luck !

Peter

[dazedgonebye]

If it is light tight, the back works, and there is a way to attach a lens, it might be fun. You can buy a 75 for less than 300 from KEH.

I'm assuming that's the case. I figured I'd have a hard time assembling the parts and putting them together for much less than that. Focusing helicals seem particulary hard to come by without spending over $125 for a cheap one.

Here's hoping.

[dazedgonebye]

If you wanted a point and shoot wide angle 4x5, now you got one.
Now a 75mm SA or Grandagon and a CLA for the focussing mechanism and you should be ready to try it out.

If you are planning to mount the 75 yourself: check-out micro-tools for some lithium based grease and do the CLA your self, there not that many parts in that camera anyway.

Good luck !

Peter

I should think that part would be simple enough for me. I think there are 2 moving parts total.

[Gem Singer]

What do you plan on using for a viewfinder?

I don't see any good quality 75mm. lenses for less than $400 on KEH's website.

[venchka]

Seems like the alternative would be a Fotoman with a 75mm lens. How mich do they sell for used?

Viewfinder? Heck. With a 75mm lens just make sure you are looking at the film holder. Close enough should be good enough. Stick a level in one of the shoes and fire at will.

[dazedgonebye]

I have a couple of 21mm finders for 35mm cameras. I could perhaps mask one of them off to 4x5 proportions with a little black tape.

I'm sure a Fotoman is a much better made camera, so I don't think I can compare prices. On the other hand, functionaly, we're talking about pretty much the same thing.

The lens is another matter. I need to look around and see what I can sell. I've got a couple of small things in mind, but not enough.