Securing an Ansco No. 5 studio camera to the stand question...

[Dustyman]

So I recently restored an Ansco No. 5 camera and stand. However I don't think the camera was ever anchored to the platform prior. The platform doesn't have any holes in it. I do, however, see two holes in the camera's rail, just behind the middle standard. They don't seem to be the logical holes to use because using them would render the front bellows fixed, no longer adjustable.

If you happen to have this setup, how is yours secured? Mine currently slides around on the slippery felt.

[Tin Can]

I had one exactly like this https://www.pinterest.com/pin/488781365799836739/

Camera was not bolted down, but it also could not turn upside down and forward slide was controlled by a ridge on front of the platform

I sold it for 10 times what I paid and removed the 4.5" Packard Shutter that was mounted on the center frame

Now i wish i had it!

[Dustyman]

Yes I have the front ridge on the platform as well. The problem is the camera slides back when I pull the rear bed extension back.



I had one exactly like this https://www.pinterest.com/pin/488781365799836739/

Camera was not bolted down, but it also could not turn upside down and forward slide was controlled by a ridge on front of the platform

I sold it for 10 times what I paid and removed the 4.5" Packard Shutter that was mounted on the center frame

Now i wish i had it!

[Peter De Smidt]

I plan on bolting mine to the stand.

[Dustyman]

Peter, does yours have the two holes located on either side of the rail just behind the middle standard? Just where the raised groove ends.



I plan on bolting mine to the stand.

[Peter De Smidt]

I'll go look. Just a minute.....Nope.

[Dustyman]

Weird. The two holes in mine seem factory cut as they are nicely recessed on the bottom.


I'll go look. Just a minute.....Nope.

[Tin Can]

If my memory is correct, the rear standards ride on rounded rails, wood to wood

Mine also was tight, the wood swelled from long storage in wet musty basement, all paint was cracked and leafing off. The bellows were like formica, almost no flex

Perhaps sand those areas and wax the ways

I did replace the platform felt with heavier from McMaster Carr, that helped

[Dustyman]

Thx Tin Can. Yeah I did wax the rounded rails and it helped, but the camera still slides if I pull out the rear extension without holding the rest down. Did you secure yours to the platform? I bet my bellows was worse than yours. It was painted with a thick tar like black paint with globs everywhere. I assume it was to hold it together and fill in holes. I had Custom Bellows in the UK make me a new pair.


If my memory is correct, the rear standards ride on rounded rails, wood to wood

Mine also was tight, the wood swelled from long storage in wet musty basement, all paint was cracked and leafing off. The bellows were like formica, almost no flex

Perhaps sand those areas and wax the ways

I did replace the platform felt with heavier from McMaster Carr, that helped

[Dustyman]

A simple solution. No more camera slide.

209018209019

[Peter De Smidt]

Good solution!

[Tin Can]

Agree