Robert McClure
17-Sep-2005, 09:38
I recently purchased an F&S 717. The back had been modified from its original spring arrangement to a bail arrangement which works very nicely. Much of the front standard hardware was not present. To have this made in order to completely restore the front would be simple enough. But I don't like the original design. And the camera needs new primary bellows, anyway.
I could, without a lot of difficulty, build from the existing front a newer standard and board which would provide axis tilts and swings.
However, I'd like to come up with a complete new front standard and lensboard design that would allow both symmetrical and asymmetrical tilts/swings (similar to the Wisner arrangement). Problem is, there is no base ("floor") area, per se, to support a new brass standard to hold the lensboard.
In otherwords, the twin front rails of the front extension don't seem to offer, in and of themselves, a means to provide a flat base "floor" which could support a new standard.
Would I be wasting my time and effort? I will be photographing primarily landscapes at infinity. Therefore the camera's original front tilt design will work acceptably. It's just that I love to design and build, and learn in the process.
I could, without a lot of difficulty, build from the existing front a newer standard and board which would provide axis tilts and swings.
However, I'd like to come up with a complete new front standard and lensboard design that would allow both symmetrical and asymmetrical tilts/swings (similar to the Wisner arrangement). Problem is, there is no base ("floor") area, per se, to support a new brass standard to hold the lensboard.
In otherwords, the twin front rails of the front extension don't seem to offer, in and of themselves, a means to provide a flat base "floor" which could support a new standard.
Would I be wasting my time and effort? I will be photographing primarily landscapes at infinity. Therefore the camera's original front tilt design will work acceptably. It's just that I love to design and build, and learn in the process.