Repairing my Eastman

[LienhopPhoto]

I bought the camera from a dealer who found a few cameras from an older collection. My goal is to not only get the camera back to working condition but to keep it as close to original as possible, while not spending a fortune.

Here is the camera as it sits. Bellows need repair. Still looking for an authentic tripod. Also need to have the lens looked at and see if its able to be repaired. Lots of "fun" ahead. Also need to make room to store it for my collection.



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[John Kasaian]

Is it a 2D? What sort of lens? I assume its got a Packard shutter? That's quite a nice looking camera---it should shine up nicely. Did any holders come with it?.

[LienhopPhoto]

Its a home portrait no3. No film holders but 2 lenses. A wollensak with betax no4 shutter and another lens. Southern? And packard shutter. Im laying down will post tomorrow. Im searching for film holders right now. Didnt come with any, just the camera and lenses

[Jonathan Barlow]

I think the Home Portrait of that era was essentially a 2D with shorter bellows and no extension rail option. Is it an 8x10 or a 5x7?

[LienhopPhoto]

8x10. It says home portrait no3 on the front. Im not sure when the 2d came about. I found little info on the no3. I guess it was about the 1911, after the 2's?

[Leonard Robertson]

If you haven't seen this page, you may find it of interest:

http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/ekc.htm

Len

[LienhopPhoto]

Yeah i found that page. I found info on a few cameras from 1911-1920. They dont give a lot of info

[LienhopPhoto]

Started working on repairing the bellows. I got a quote from a few places, and I'm not paying as much as they were asking, even though I know its worth the work to make them.
I bought a bag of scrap leather and tried to get it close to the shade of red/brown as I could. For the larger holes, I used small cut strips glued with super fabric glue. I then use matte black paint to fix smaller holds and help cut down on reflections. Even though its matte black it still has a bit of glare from the paint. I will need to address this later. The larger holes on the lower part of the bellow have dried, and it opens and closes perfectly. It looks great and I can not wait until its finished.

Anyone know what the best way to clean the bellows outside, and the wood without ruining the finish?


Next step I completed was fixing one of my lenses and shutter. I have a Southern Photo Materials Super Wide Angle lens and a Packard Shutter. The shutter tube was dry rotted of course and it needed to be replaced. I found (after stopping at 8 stores) a pumper, which was from a coolant tester in a hardware store. I then bought a tube and just taped it to a piece of existing tube connected to the shutter outlet. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Ended up being less than half than one bought online.

Once I finish the bellows, I will clean it completely and search for a tripod and film holders. A family friend has 8x10 xray film and chemicals he is letting me have to test the camera.

Here are some shots. By far the best project I have started. I love this camera. I set up the old lens and its amazing to see the reflection on the glass. Its mind blowing how clear it is for being so old. Enjoy! More to come.


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/13884429902_71c832116c_k.jpg
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[LienhopPhoto]

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7225/13907550215_575435ff80_k.jpg
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[Drew Bedo]

Nice! I like it that you want to bring this back to life. I do not feel that we really own these old cameras. I look on it as being a steward or custodian holding them for the next generation.

[LienhopPhoto]

Got some fabric and constructed a cheap focusing cloth.

Also found a great deal from a guy I met years ago. He sold me about 35 antique cameras. Alfas canons kodaks. I also got a bunch of large format stuff. Some 5x7 film holders and 11x14 custom backs. Also got a few backs for my 8x10. I also got a 120 film kit for my 8x10. Pretty cool. I will post pictures in the morning.

[LienhopPhoto]

Group of over 25 cameras all different makes/models 1900-1960

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/13898170121_f1f2a9cf9b_k.jpg

Graflex 120 film holder/Custom mount? Its for an 8x10. I am adding pins so I can use it on my 8x10 landscape

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/13898174231_9e5be00a73.jpg

Older Eastman Kodak 8x10 Film Holder

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/13898198026_1cb9fbc0cd_k.jpg

He is letting me use his Pentax 6x7 which shoots 120 and 220 film. I am pretty excited about this camera
https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2911/13921727834_5a026e2e7c_k.jpg

Today I will continue to work on the bellows, and shoot with the 6x7 this weekend. Im not sure how much longer but I am close to shooting as we speak. Hopefully by next weekend I will have it cleaned up and ready to shoot.

Anyone know of a decent wood cleaner that helps keep the woods stain, just cleans it up a bit without ruining the finish too much?

[LienhopPhoto]

Worked on cleaning it up a bit. Removed some hardware, and used a wood cleaner to get some of the dirt off and help it bring a bit of shine out.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/13908568512_6d00f87c1e_k.jpg

I also worked on repairing some of the bellows that need addressing. Fixed about 7 corners, waiting for them to dry and then finish them up tomorrow. I'm having a lot of fun working on it and am very close to taking it out to photograph with.
The other thing I worked on today is the focusing "cloth" and got that complete. Ended up using a cheap piece of vinyl and some elastic. I cut it a bit but might cut it back down. I attached the elastic loops to the tilt knobs, which are still usable. Im pretty happy with the design. Took a bit of time to make it but I made it for about $10. Its light tight and hopefully not too hot in the summer. I have that new 120 film holder, which I am going to attach pins to so I can make it landscape. I will update more later today.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/13931716783_eabb77766e_k.jpg

[goamules]

It's looking good. Two things that I've used on the outside of bellows are fabric paint and lemon pledge. Use the fabric paint (from hobby shops) to lightproof pinholes in the corners. When dry, spray the Pledge onto the outside and wipe it off. It makes them look better, whether leather or synthetic, and makes them a little more flexible.

[LienhopPhoto]

I used leather peices on the inside to help cover larger holes, glued in with fabric glue. Then use black paint to cover holes on the inside. I dont want to paint the outside if i dont have to

[LienhopPhoto]

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Decided to axe the tripod idea for now. I found a manfrotto tripod a coworker was selling, for almost free and could not pass it up. Started building a wood base for the top. Got it all marked up and it holds the camera great. The tripod is super heavy but it will hold the camera with no problems.

[LienhopPhoto]

Got my mount all glued and screwed. Set it up out side to check for the strength and it holds up great. I am going to do a final light check and then go shoot a roll of film. I cant wait. It looks so good outside in the sunlight.

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