Burke and James Orbitar Camera

[seabee1999]

Today I was able to acquire the above mentioned camera for free. The shutter on it is stuck but the lens elements look like they are in great shape. I was wondering if anyone has any more detailed information on this camera as well as ideas to potentially bring this thing back to life. It came with a 65 f/8 Super Angulon with a Synchro Compur shutter and I believe it is a 00 mount. Thanks in advance for any assistance and advice.

God Bless,
David

[Jim C.]

Are you sure it's Orbitar and not Orbit ?
I'm not much of a B&J expert, but I did find this online - http://bonus.manualsforall.com/old%20camera%20catalogs/burk&james_1963.pdf
As to the stuck shutter, there's always flushing it lighter fluid to see if it frees it up, personally I like DeOxit for that.

[seabee1999]

Nope, the case and camera both say Orbitar. Thanks for the link. I am looking at it right now.

God Bless,
David

[Peter Gomena]

The Orbitar is on the last page of the catalog. Looks like a copy stand camera or close-up camera.

[seabee1999]

Thank you for pointing that out Peter. I looked at the catalog and sadly, the one pictured isn't what I have in hand. The one in the photo has bellows while the one I have is a box with helicoil focusing and adjustable front slide. I asked the same question on APUG and one archived post there mentioned it was a rare, government supplied type camera. Perhaps that is all I'll ever find out. Thanks again for the heads up on the catalog.

God Bless,
David

[Jac@stafford.net]

It was a B&J product. A wide-angle only camera.
Feel free to use it. It is pretty cool!
It has front rise or fall, and two tripod mounts.

[seabee1999]

It was a B&J product. A wide-angle only camera.
Feel free to use it. It is pretty cool!
It has front rise or fall, and two tripod mounts.

Thanks Jack. I will. Also, for those who would like to see what I got, a member at APUG sent this to me:

Look here: http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/bj_1.html , p. 33

God Bless,
David

[Jim C.]

Cool ! Forgot about cameraeccentric's catalogs.
Guess the 8x10 Orbitar is an evil camera, check out the price !

[seabee1999]

Good catch Jim. I didn't even see that.

God Bless,
David

[Jac@stafford.net]

Thanks Jack. I will. Also, for those who would like to see what I got, a member at APUG sent this to me:

Look here: http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/bj_1.html , p. 33

God Bless,
David

Oops. That is not the wide angle Obitar I know.

[joselsgil]

David,

That looks like a very cool point and shoot wide angle camera. That is something that I would love to find available. And who can argue with the price you paid :)

[Jac@stafford.net]

David,

That looks like a very cool point and shoot wide angle camera. That is something that I would love to find available. And who can argue with the price you paid :)

I has a ground glass just like any other view camera - but focuses via lens helical mount.

Pictures of the real thing here. (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORBITAR-4x5-WA-by-Burke-James-w-1-8-65-Schneider-Kreuznach-Super-Angulon-Lens-/111187092861?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item19e344657d&nma=true&si=EcjDtyHOq8RyYmRNI%252B%252BnkFAM5lA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557)