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Mine are all pretty old and ratty looking, but I maintain the septums so that the film doesn’t slide out when it shouldn’t and keep the mechanism clean and lubricated (pledge works). Maintained and...

That might work, but I think if you have a spanner wrench with the right width it will be more secure. I made a simple tool out of a piece of thick shim stock or maybe an old hack saw blade and...

Not guaranteed, but I fit a 210 GK to a copal press shutter with complete success a few years ago. It was a little tricky removing the front lens cell from the barrel because it was set into the...

To add yet another opinion...
5x7 Gandolfi “Precision”
4x5 Ebony SVTi
Lenses from 75mm - 480mm, some go with either depending upon how far and where I will carry my burden. I seem to use a...

Gandolfi was the first camera company to make surveillance cameras for airplanes in WW 1. They were made in England until the 1990s and a bit. I have had a 5x7 for almost 30 years using lenses from...

Just for the record, I used to use a 165 Angulon for 5x7. One day I found myself in need of an 8x10 lens for a building shot. 40” x5’ print was tack sharp corner to corner. Of course I didn’t have to...

I’m not familiar with that lens, but usually it is necessary to remove the ring to get access to the front lens elements.
You probably will have to encourage that ring somehow. Try to hold it evenly...

If you measure the distance from the gg toward the lens the distance will be somewhere near 13/64 Inches or 5 mm. If not....

If your metal is plated, doing any kind of machining or polishing on it will probably not make it look better. Start with soap or degreaser and a bristle brush with soft bristles. If not plated, wail...

Anybody used these holders? They are pricey, but they would be being made of wood instead of being stamped out or printed. They look nicely made and user friendly. The light traps appear to be put...

I second this idea, I’ve been using diffusion plexiglass (very thin) on top of my AN negative carriers for awhile now with great success.

Yup, gotta keep Sir Isaac at bay but a glass negative carrier really works.....and if you add pin registration........I sold my negasortofflat many years ago. By the way this thread started at just...

I have a very old Gitzo 1348 which I think is one of their 1st carbon fiber versions. It is light, 66” tall in four sections, solid without the center column, and never slips. I put a Ries head and a...

If you know a machinist you could have them make a ring out of aluminum of the exact ID as the OD of the part that you need to remove plus the thickness of a piece of paper. The ring would be about a...

Nice machining on the adapter tube.

I do

I once knew someone who always kept his 8x10 camera under a dark cloth when the holder was in the camera, even when pulling out the slide and making the exposure. Might try it in the sun with and...

Photo flo and distilled water works. More photo flo is Not better.

I have been using Grafmatic backs on my 4x5 exclusively for years. I even sold all of my regular holders after not using them for 10 or so years. A couple of success pointers that I can add or agree...

Another vote for the superbrightleds.

Do you have another set of filters? Maybe an old set that you could compare?

I have been using the RH DeSigns Stop Clock Vario for years. When It arrived I set it up, learned how to use it and never went back to my old system. I’m sure that if you study the specs on the...

I also vote Custom Bellows UK. They made replacement bellows for my Ebony 4x5 last year. Excellent product, reasonably priced and easy to work with. Turn the “Way back machine” on and they made...

Like you have been hearing, I also think that it is better to have a 5x7 and use a 4x5 back on it when needed. That being said, I got tired of carrying the heavier camera around and ended up getting...

Good job, glad it worked!

The difference between a .5 mm thread and a 48tpi thread is about .001” from peak to peak. 44tpi Will add .002” . A taper going into a straight thread doesn’t need to mesh perfectly as it will engage...

Your 5-44 will probably grab just fine but checking with a scrap of aluminum is a good idea. Also experiment with a chamfering tool on the beginning of the hole so that the cable release will go in...

Wow, Home Depot....and plug style at that!

I bought a replacement part for a copal shutter from SK Grimes several years ago. Even replaced one missing screw. I also found that when I needed to make an adapter for a recessed lensboard a 5-48...

Thanks, this will be helpful since I seem to have more time these days to rebuild and redesign my darkroom......

Does anyone know a source for thin glass for enlargers or cameras? Also ANR glass?
Thanks,

I just saw your post Stuart. The bellows from Custom Bellows does close and lock in the camera. Smells a bit like glue still, the 75 has more movement than I need, and it works with long...

Thanks for the advice. The new universal bellows from “custom Bellows” arrived today, they have the short bag section. After checking them out with short and long lenses, I wonder why I didn’t change...

I asked Keith at Custom Bellows if there would be any negative effects from the combination bellows. He replied that there might be some bellows sag. I therefore thought it prudent to ask the forum...

It sounds like the universal type bellows will work better than what I was using, so I will have the new bellows made and let you know how it works out.
Thanks for the info and advice.

Good Input and information, I do tend to use lenses in the 210-450 range as well and was a bit worried that there might be some bellows sag, but nobody has mentioned this so maybe it is a non issue....

Anyone have experience with the bellows that have a short “bag” section in the front? I need to replace the bellows on my Ebony 4x5. Ebony is no more so I looked around and found that Custom Bellows...

This looks great, I'm sure that you will be quite busy pouring emulsions! I was making dry plates for a few years before I moved and don't yet have a darkroom. It is pretty tricky to get consistent...

Hi Dave,
If the lens is in a #5 shutter you probably will need to have a machinist make an extender to mount the lens in front of the lensboard. If a #4 shutter the hole in the lensboard can be...

Take care of yourself, get the lens cleaned, (worth it), in that order, and make some photos. I wish you all the best in your efforts.