5x7 Seroco View Camera

[Takizawa]

Hi All,

I purchased this camera yesterday for a reasonable sum, click here (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vintage-Field-Camera-Large-Format-5x7-Bausch-Lomb-Lens-Seroco-View-/261192761046?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D261192761046%26_rdc%3D1&nma=true&si=IWYn9D67I98Ve0uNRjPs9AspO%252Bk%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)

Please take a look at the pictures. I realize this will not have all the bells and whistles of a modern field camera.

Information on this view camera is sparse when I Google'd it. Can anyone provide details? Second, any quick and simple way to repair bellows holes in corners? Last, what will I need to get this operational? For example, I'm not sure if this will take a modern tripod and if not, if there is an adapter one can purchase... Nor if this will only take the supplied film holders versus modern ones and how to check...

Thanks! Michael

[Peter Gomena]

Nice camera!

Seroco is a contraction of Sears Roebuck & Co. Sears owned Conley camera mfgrs, which bought Seneca. If you look at the Seneca line herehttp://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/seneca.htm you will see similarities in build. These are serviceable view cameras, quite useable today. Yours looks like a very nice example.

Bad bellows corners can be fixed with cloth tape. Bookbinder's tape is thin and flexible. If you search the forum, you will find many threads on patching old bellows.

I have a friend who owns one of these, and it takes a standard tripod attachment thread.

[Jim Noel]

A simple and effective cure for pinholes is black acrylic paint from art or craft store. It is flexible after drying. Apply a small amount, allow it to dry overnight and check for leaks. If necessary, repeat. This is much more effective than tape.

[Takizawa]

Thank you Peter and Jim. It's good to know that pinhole repair does not differ for the corners. Also, I am relieved this should take a standard tripod.

I was about to ask, how do you tell the Seneca View from the Improved Seneca View. Then I realized that the camera is actually labelled as such!

Now if I can only figure out what 'double swing' refers to in this camera...