Andrew M
9-Sep-2008, 23:11
i have been wanting to get an 8x10 for some time but for whatever reasons i havnt as yet,-new V old, cost of ebony V whatever other brand, perhaps Shen i was thinking for the cost benifits andi also like to shoot panoramic 4x10., ebony is really out of the question at $8000 or so
however i do have this old TP whole plate and i did come across an article or two where it says some people prefer the aspect ratio of this format over 5x7 and 8x10 and thought why not try to use what i already have. but i havnt been able to find any film so i figure i may have to cut down some 8x10 which seems a bit of waste (and extra trouble) but ah well.
so i am hoping some people here may be able to help me on my way to using this camera, actually i think of it as almost a work of art in itself it is so nicely put together with beautifull timber and grain. upon deciding that i would try and use it i have been checking it over and come across a few problems that i need to solve first.
firstly i looked at putting it on a tripod, i have an old TP tripod in very good condition but the parts on the base of the camera (in Fig's E & F) are pointing the wrong direction for my tripod to connect into them. and even if they were in the correct direction they seem a little close together although i think the tripod will flex that small amount. in fig F the space between the 'S' (that look like 5's) is shorter than the space between the 'L' . the hand drawn H indicates the hole that take the tripod and are pointed in line within the shorter 'S' space.
this however matters little, in as much as i would prefer to fit a modern tripod (i am thinking a Berlebach) as i have a half plate camera with a simular old tripod and it is i feel a disaster waiting to happen if i was to be using it and not a display. i tape up various points on it as the slightest touch or movement makes the whole thing colapse.
so does anyone know if this base was designed for the standard old tripod or something different? how to undo those lugs? i tried with a spanner but they are tight as, i presume its neccessary to undo the screws around the outer ring? and perhaps they undo from the other side? then a desicion to add some extensions about 20mm (in place of those lugs to take a tripod) and atatch a plate disk onto them with a modern tripod thread in the center. the reason for the extension is so the camera can close with the shutter still on the camera. the lens will have to be removed though. what thickness of plate material should be used for it to be sturdy? i was thinking of trying to get a brass disk in keeping with the rest of the camera. another option i thought is to atatch the disk without any spacers (flat on the camera base) but that would mean i can not close the camera with the old shutter on ther camera but perhaps ok if i upgrade the lens board area to take modern shutters and lens.
then, i shone a torch inside and the bellows appear very good-no light leaks apparent in them at all, but unfortunately the shutter curtain, whilst looking like it has been replaced or new looking, is made from the incorect material i beleive (no rubber type backing), as the torch light shines through the weave of the material. that brought me to quick halt as to being able to use or try it straight away or anytime soon!
also there are light leaks between the shutter and the timber behind it (because i dont know what the parts names are i have called it 'part B' in fig C). it may just need a screw tightening as if a little pressure is applied to the shutter, the gap closes up. perhaps it needs some light baffle material placed between them as well? the next light leak is between the 'part A' in fig C and the front standard (it shows through the top and presumably the bottom) as shown in fig A. there is a velvet type material where the arrow is pointing and i assume if this is replaced it may prevent the light last light leak. what material is best used for this? light baffle from micro tools or some kind of velvet from a shop that sell various cloth?? i think light baffle material may not slide as well as a velvet but i am not sure i am able find such velvet or felt, whatever it is.
because the shutter needs new curtain material it got me to thinking that if the camera could take modern shutters and lens it would be near or just as good as a new modern camera in function. i thought i can perhaps get some timber from a specialty timber yard here that would match the mahogony and i could remake part B in fig C to take a lens board. although part B does not detatch at the moment, it only moves sideways to a point and stops, i think it will need to be unscrewed from somewhere. if i needed to remake the whole assembly i could do that also but where does one sourse the brass tooth peices!? one is like a comb on part B and the other groved on flat on part A.
it seems a good idea to me to fit a lens board but what type do i fit? i hear about all the different brands and they mean little to me apart from they are different names-copal-linholf-technica ect ect ect. which type of board should i get (and from where?)and what size are they? the part B in fig C is about 120mm top to bottom (on its side in the picture) is that enough to take a modern lens board?
part B has the knob and turns to make a slight amount of shift about 12-15mm each way--not much?
also what is the small brass part for on the film holders? its not a clear picture but shown in fig D. i have a number of these holders and they all appear in good shiny condition with inserts for the various other formats but one is missing this part. but i cant fathom what it is used for? the holders do need sheets to hold film i was thinking of getting some aluminium cut, painting black. what thickness is considered normal? the holders seem to have about 2.5-3mm depth.
the rear frame for the ground glass has a spring mechanisium (Fig B) is this normal? my other does not have it. it kinda gets in the way for loading the film holders but i guess it wont flap around in the wind. quite a strong spring too so it takes some holding open while placing the film holder in.
looking over the camera i found that it has rear swing and tilt of course. the front obviously tilt and rise and fall and just a small amount of shift (how much shift is useful?) and then i was reading a broucher on the royal ruby and it said it has front swing as well, so i looked closely at it but it wasnt apparent to me. i started to fiddle with it and once uncliped from its guides (in the side struts) it did swing by pressing against its spring type struts--seems kinda hoky but once the knobs are tightend it seems to hold firm. i nearly thought i was doing it wrong but the broucher seems to say its meant to swing.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/retrotography/100-0002_IMG_8.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/retrotography/100-0001_IMG_8.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/retrotography/100-0004_IMG-2.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/retrotography/100-0002_IMG-4.jpg
however i do have this old TP whole plate and i did come across an article or two where it says some people prefer the aspect ratio of this format over 5x7 and 8x10 and thought why not try to use what i already have. but i havnt been able to find any film so i figure i may have to cut down some 8x10 which seems a bit of waste (and extra trouble) but ah well.
so i am hoping some people here may be able to help me on my way to using this camera, actually i think of it as almost a work of art in itself it is so nicely put together with beautifull timber and grain. upon deciding that i would try and use it i have been checking it over and come across a few problems that i need to solve first.
firstly i looked at putting it on a tripod, i have an old TP tripod in very good condition but the parts on the base of the camera (in Fig's E & F) are pointing the wrong direction for my tripod to connect into them. and even if they were in the correct direction they seem a little close together although i think the tripod will flex that small amount. in fig F the space between the 'S' (that look like 5's) is shorter than the space between the 'L' . the hand drawn H indicates the hole that take the tripod and are pointed in line within the shorter 'S' space.
this however matters little, in as much as i would prefer to fit a modern tripod (i am thinking a Berlebach) as i have a half plate camera with a simular old tripod and it is i feel a disaster waiting to happen if i was to be using it and not a display. i tape up various points on it as the slightest touch or movement makes the whole thing colapse.
so does anyone know if this base was designed for the standard old tripod or something different? how to undo those lugs? i tried with a spanner but they are tight as, i presume its neccessary to undo the screws around the outer ring? and perhaps they undo from the other side? then a desicion to add some extensions about 20mm (in place of those lugs to take a tripod) and atatch a plate disk onto them with a modern tripod thread in the center. the reason for the extension is so the camera can close with the shutter still on the camera. the lens will have to be removed though. what thickness of plate material should be used for it to be sturdy? i was thinking of trying to get a brass disk in keeping with the rest of the camera. another option i thought is to atatch the disk without any spacers (flat on the camera base) but that would mean i can not close the camera with the old shutter on ther camera but perhaps ok if i upgrade the lens board area to take modern shutters and lens.
then, i shone a torch inside and the bellows appear very good-no light leaks apparent in them at all, but unfortunately the shutter curtain, whilst looking like it has been replaced or new looking, is made from the incorect material i beleive (no rubber type backing), as the torch light shines through the weave of the material. that brought me to quick halt as to being able to use or try it straight away or anytime soon!
also there are light leaks between the shutter and the timber behind it (because i dont know what the parts names are i have called it 'part B' in fig C). it may just need a screw tightening as if a little pressure is applied to the shutter, the gap closes up. perhaps it needs some light baffle material placed between them as well? the next light leak is between the 'part A' in fig C and the front standard (it shows through the top and presumably the bottom) as shown in fig A. there is a velvet type material where the arrow is pointing and i assume if this is replaced it may prevent the light last light leak. what material is best used for this? light baffle from micro tools or some kind of velvet from a shop that sell various cloth?? i think light baffle material may not slide as well as a velvet but i am not sure i am able find such velvet or felt, whatever it is.
because the shutter needs new curtain material it got me to thinking that if the camera could take modern shutters and lens it would be near or just as good as a new modern camera in function. i thought i can perhaps get some timber from a specialty timber yard here that would match the mahogony and i could remake part B in fig C to take a lens board. although part B does not detatch at the moment, it only moves sideways to a point and stops, i think it will need to be unscrewed from somewhere. if i needed to remake the whole assembly i could do that also but where does one sourse the brass tooth peices!? one is like a comb on part B and the other groved on flat on part A.
it seems a good idea to me to fit a lens board but what type do i fit? i hear about all the different brands and they mean little to me apart from they are different names-copal-linholf-technica ect ect ect. which type of board should i get (and from where?)and what size are they? the part B in fig C is about 120mm top to bottom (on its side in the picture) is that enough to take a modern lens board?
part B has the knob and turns to make a slight amount of shift about 12-15mm each way--not much?
also what is the small brass part for on the film holders? its not a clear picture but shown in fig D. i have a number of these holders and they all appear in good shiny condition with inserts for the various other formats but one is missing this part. but i cant fathom what it is used for? the holders do need sheets to hold film i was thinking of getting some aluminium cut, painting black. what thickness is considered normal? the holders seem to have about 2.5-3mm depth.
the rear frame for the ground glass has a spring mechanisium (Fig B) is this normal? my other does not have it. it kinda gets in the way for loading the film holders but i guess it wont flap around in the wind. quite a strong spring too so it takes some holding open while placing the film holder in.
looking over the camera i found that it has rear swing and tilt of course. the front obviously tilt and rise and fall and just a small amount of shift (how much shift is useful?) and then i was reading a broucher on the royal ruby and it said it has front swing as well, so i looked closely at it but it wasnt apparent to me. i started to fiddle with it and once uncliped from its guides (in the side struts) it did swing by pressing against its spring type struts--seems kinda hoky but once the knobs are tightend it seems to hold firm. i nearly thought i was doing it wrong but the broucher seems to say its meant to swing.
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/retrotography/100-0002_IMG_8.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/retrotography/100-0001_IMG_8.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/retrotography/100-0004_IMG-2.jpg
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk67/retrotography/100-0002_IMG-4.jpg