Old Studio Camera – Advice Needed

[OMU]

I’m the proud owner of a “new” studio camera – (proud as a small kid with a new toy)
It’s an old Danish camera, Norka, and comes with a Heliar 36 cm f. 4.5 from 1928.

Some details need to be reappeared and I'm asking for some advice

GROUND GLASS: (5 X 7)

It's broken and needs to be replaced. I understand I can by a new one, or make on by myself.
- Should I make my one, or is it advisable to by one?
- Any recommendation where to buy?

FILM HOLDERS (5 X 7)

It came with an older wooden film holder wish works just fine.
- If I buy new ones online, will the film plane be the same as in the old holder?
- Or do I have to adjust the ground glass and only use the new film holders?

SHUTTER
There is an old "barn door shutter" in the camera. It seems to work just fine. It is powered by air, and inside it’s a small piston. This piston is decayed and need to be replaced
- Any idea where I can get a new one ore what I can use as a replace the old one?

Advices and suggestions are mostly welcome

[Steven Tribe]

Well there is a member who does have a good knowledge of the Norka (short for Nordic Kamera) and I think still has one (Gandolfi or Emil). He is in Prague this week I think.

Your camera was almost cetainly built for a much larger (metric size) and the back on it now is a result of the studio where it was reacting to the declining economic situation in the 1920's and later.

So before you get hold of or make a GG you have to decide whether you want to go back to the original format (18x24cm or larger).

The film holder is comparitive modern and these are still available on e**y. You may want to check whether they have the adaptors for film rather glass plates?

The rubber seal and piston is something that Emil might be able to give good advice.
This system is well worth renovating. Emil's similar shutter works perfectly.
The actuating cylinder is very similar to the one on the Grundner shutter.

These camera sold well in Scandinavia, but I have seen one for sale some months back in Wales!

You had better check that the Heliar is not a Universal Heliar!
I bought a similar set with an early Heliar (it says Heliar on the ring) but the graduations on the front cell revealed it was from the first series Universal Heliar which were still called just Heliars.

[OMU]

Thanks for your answer and the information about the camera.

It’s certanly build for a larger format. It’s clearly modified to fit the 5 x 7 format. It would be interesting to go bak to a larger format, but for a start I’l use it as a 5 x 7.

I’s probably difficult to find a used back for the larger format, and I suppose the only way is to build one my self?

Is there any suggestion where to by a new ground glass?

I have got some suggestions to wisit some shops that work in the pneumatic business and hopefully fint something that I can use as a piston for the shutter.

Heliar/universal heliar?
I can turn the front ring, and the front cell, but I non’t know if its an Universal. Is I possible to see if it is, by the naked eye?

PS
I had the pleasure to visit Emil at Vrå at the summer courses this summer :-)

[Steven Tribe]

A Universal will have some graduations 0 - 5 engraved on the side with an arrow. An ordinary will just screw out like an ordinary front lens cell.

Any 8x10 back (complete with springs and GG) can be be easily added on to to make a back that fits. I have old big backs that have been modified down - first to 5x7 and then later once more to 4x5.

Your 5x7 back looks like an original "downgrade in size" back plate made by NORKA or one of its competitors. The brass corner pieces look professional.

Search for Ground Glass here and you will find good instructions on how to make GG in a couple of hours!

[OMU]

Hallo again;

The lens is unfortunately not an universal, but I'm happy with lens anyway :-)

I'' try to make my one GG, but haven't found anyone who sells something that I can use to grit the glass.

I have chosen to live in an small and quiet place and is satisfied with that. But every time I need some photo gear, I envying those that live in large cities.

[Steven Tribe]

There is a reasonably recent thread on "do-it-yourself" grinding with lots of practical/material information.

The days when every major city had a store with well assorted stock for silver photography have gone. There is just 1 place in Denmark with a very narrow range!
Forunately, grinding compounds are available from gem stone/hobby jeweller's supplies. Another alternative is fine valve grinding paste from motor supplies.

[akfreak]

what a beauty

[OMU]

Thanks;
I love her :-)

[John Koehrer]

compound for grinding telescope lenses may be easier to find. It's the same material and once you have that, it's simple.

[OMU]

To night I have made a new ground glass. Bought velvet grinding pasta and used 15 min and I had a perfect new ground glass. No problem at all. Works perfectly :-)

I have used the recommendation from members here at the forum. Thanks a lot for your help!

No I have to solve the problem with the shutter.