Looking For Some assistance. Ilexpo

[TaylorWilliams]

Hello everyone and I would like to say thanks for reading this. For starts I am New to this site and the reason Im joining is because I have a feeling I am about to start a long jorney into the life of Large Format . Recently I took a trip to Shrevport LA and while I was there I happen to stop in an antique Mall and find this (see bellow). A little about me ... I am a student at the art institute of ft worth working on my BA in fine art for photography. After my first semester having taken photo history I was simply blown away by older processes. I fell into collecting old Dags,Ambros.etc. School doesnt really provide the education Im seeking in this area (go figure for 120k) so I am you could say seeking outside help. So on with it.....antique mall and I fould a Ilexpo wooden large format camera. this is my first LF camera and needless to say when i picked it up it was in ruff shape. the bellows were fossilized. The shutter still worked fine and there were no cracks that would of worry. When I got it home I took it apon myself to rid it of the bellows and give it a good top to bottom cleaning.

I am hoping someone that is savy on this particular peice could shed some light on it for me and tell me exactly what I have here. It was purchased for $30 (good/bad?) After takeing it apart I was smart enough to realize the things I dont have mainly the bellows lens and bulb w/ tubbing. all the main hardware is there. my goal is to someday soon create a picture from it. so here are the pictures. any help would be appreciated

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee167/usmc233expert/_MG_3794.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee167/usmc233expert/_MG_3811.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee167/usmc233expert/_MG_3806.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee167/usmc233expert/_MG_3813.jpg

[Jon Shiu]

Perhaps you can use your old bellows as a pattern in constructing a new one.

Good luck!

Jon

[BarryS]

It looks like you have a Korona 8x10 view camera with a 5x7 (or 4x5?) reducing back. Possibly a Korona Pictorial View http://www.piercevaubel.com/cam/gundlach/pict.htm With a new bellows, a lens, and a piece of ground glass in the spring back, you could shoot some sheet film. The front frame is an Ilexpo shutter, so you can mount barrel lenses (no shutter) to the lens boards. The price you paid is a bargain.

[TheDeardorffGuy]

Hi
First the top cross bar needs to be turned 90 degrees. It faces forward.
Second the bulb and tubing comes from this company.

http://www.packardshutter.com/

Third check the catgut string in the shutter. It may need to be replaced. Violin string is an exact replacement.

Someone tried to incorporate the shutter in this camera. A lighttight wood frame needs to be built around the shutter and the bellows mounted to it or another frame attached to the bellows. Do you have a bellows? These had a wood frame on the front and rear. These frames were mounted to the camera. The camera is missing its original front.

[TaylorWilliams]

So as far as the ground glass,bellows and barrel lens would there be anywhere better than ebay to look for replacement?

[TaylorWilliams]

Hi
First the top cross bar needs to be turned 90 degrees. It faces forward.
Second the bulb and tubing comes from this company.

http://www.packardshutter.com/

Third check the catgut string in the shutter. It may need to be replaced. Violin string is an exact replacement.

Someone tried to incorporate the shutter in this camera. A lighttight wood frame needs to be built around the shutter and the bellows mounted to it or another frame attached to the bellows. Do you have a bellows? These had a wood frame on the front and rear. These frames were mounted to the camera. The camera is missing its original front.

I can trigger the shutter manually and everything seems tip top Im not exactly sure what the catgut string is....the bellows were as if they were melted together...petrified more like. I would be up for constructing my own.. any links to blueprints?

[TheDeardorffGuy]

the catgut is inside. When it breaks you will know.
Bellows need to be custom because the original front frame will / should not fit the Ilexpo front. Glass is on ebay. Lots of lenses are too. For an inexpensive lens look for a 8in Tessar Ic.