Oh my...what have I gotten myself into? Korona 8x10 advice needed

[unixrevolution]

Perhaps, but I doubt it. Perhaps it has been open, on display, for decades - but, again, I doubt it, as the smell would have gone.

The inverted bellows would show the longitudinal join.

Quite right on the second part. My very helpful mother told me to try leaving it open upside-down and that, oddly, seems to be working.

As for the first...I think the smell is getting much better. The previous owner told me she'd never had the lensboard or ground glass off, ever.

Onel remedy for sagging bellows is make a "tent" out of card stock to prop up the bottom of the bellows.
If you've got a "D" ring attahed to the top of the bellows you can put a small diameter dowel or rod through it with the ends resting on the standards to hold it up.
Then there is Viagra

The bellows of this camera actually has 2 D-rings. If the inversion therapy doesn't work, I may use the d-rings to pull the bellows up.

[unixrevolution]

Update:

1. I am undeterred by the smell.

2. Lens is really shot. Estimate to de-laminate and re-cement by a professional is $1000. I have a Fuji 300 F/5.6 as a replacement. I'ts now mounted on a graphic board, and i have plywood and stain to make a new board for the Korona.

3. Film holders found. I have four now.

[premortho]

So is that Turner Reich lens for sale now? If so I'd be interested.

Update:

1. I am undeterred by the smell.

2. Lens is really shot. Estimate to de-laminate and re-cement by a professional is $1000. I have a Fuji 300 F/5.6 as a replacement. I'ts now mounted on a graphic board, and i have plywood and stain to make a new board for the Korona.

3. Film holders found. I have four now.

[Peter Gomena]

I paid the same amount for the same model camera a decade ago and was able to get it up and working in a couple of weeks. It was a fun old beast for tinkering, a little shaky. It had both extension rails, but needed a new bellows.

Funny thing about old cameras. For $300 you can buy an old wooden 8x10. By time you fix it up, replace the bellows and add a lens, you have a $1,000 view camera you can re-sell for $400, lens not included. It's worth it for the enjoyment it generates.

Peter Gomena

[unixrevolution]

I paid the same amount for the same model camera a decade ago and was able to get it up and working in a couple of weeks. It was a fun old beast for tinkering, a little shaky. It had both extension rails, but needed a new bellows.

Funny thing about old cameras. For $300 you can buy an old wooden 8x10. By time you fix it up, replace the bellows and add a lens, you have a $1,000 view camera you can re-sell for $400, lens not included. It's worth it for the enjoyment it generates.

Peter Gomena

I've been playing with it here an there, and I have a table of expenses:

Camera: $300
Lens/Shutter (Fujinon 300mm): $250
Lens board (Super Graphic compatible): $16.95
Lens Board Adapter parts (to fit Graphic lens boards):
Lens Board sliding locks: $25.00
Wood, Birch Ply: $6.00
Stain, Minwax: $5.00
Hardware (various): $5.00
Wood Film Holders: 4 at $20 each, $80
Back Clips, to replace broken units: $50

Total: $737.95

Other things like processing equipment, Tripod, meters, etc... are pre-existing with my 4x5, small and medium format setups.

I may yet end up getting a new ground glass for it, but I've just been doing a little here and there until it's done. I've had other things crop up and I've not come home in daylight from my job more than 3 times since the daylight savings switch.

[C. D. Keth]

If you're worried about not losing money on a hobby, than large format probably isn't for you. If that's your primary concern, get into leicas.

[unixrevolution]

My primary concern with my hobby is making images. But I am glad to not be completely underwater with this Korona so far!

[unixrevolution]

Well, after several more rounds of tinkering, I got it up and running. Still have to stain the lens board, but i've taken and developed images with it!


DSC02409 by unixrevolution, on Flickr


DSC02386 by unixrevolution, on Flickr

She's a beauty! The ground glass is a little spotty but works well. Here's what I had to do:

remove, reshape, and reattatch the brackets that hold the standards to the rail

lubricate rail, gear teeth, and joints

attatch 300mm f/5.6 to Graphic lens board using retaining ring as flange

build new lens board, attatch clips, fit to camera and Graphic lens board

Remove old clips, fill holes, drill new holes, install new clips

disassemble and reassemble the spring back, but correctly this time

clean and treat wood

So now after several months of tinkering between other projects, there she sits! I still want a rear extension rail, but i'm pleased as punch.