Help save my French large format vacation!

[Larry Kellogg]

Day 2 in France, my Wisner 4x5 camera tumbled, smashing the ground glass and bending a rear strut. Perhaps a new ground glass will get me running again. What can I do? Can I fashion an emergency ground glass? Does anybody know how I can get a ground glass in France? I have sent Richard Ritter a note and will try to call him.

Any help appreciated!!

Larry

[Roboflick]

Are you near Paris? There are a number of well stocked photography stores, including medium and large format here

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.asp...on+du+Leica_01 43 55 24 36&where1=52%2c+Boulevard+Beaumarchais+Paris%2c+75+75011&FORM=LARE
Nik

[BarryS]

Ouch. If you find a hardware store that will cut you a piece of glass, you can scotch tape the side closest to the lens. That will work in a pinch.

[jp]

The frosted scotch tape works very well.

[Larry Kellogg]

I'm not as depressed as I was a few minutes ago. I will search a plastic picture frame and sand the back, or find a piece of glass and do the scotch tape trick. Richard gave me a few tips. Besides one bent strut, everything else looks fine. If I can focus, I can shoot, no??? :-)

I'm in Provence, not near Paris. I will see what I can find tomorrow.

Thanks for the help. There is hope,I have not run over the camera with a car, yet.

Larry

[IanG]

Scotch tape is clear in Europe well at least the type I buy, there are white opaque tapes but they are far less common.

I could get a plain screen in the post tomorrow if I have one that fits in stock - I a selection (I carry a few variation in sizes for various 5x4 cameras), if not it's a Bank (National) holiday here Monday so it would be tuesday before I could post one. If I can help PM the size.

Ian

[Ed Bray]

Scotch Magic Tape is the stuff they mean Ian.

[lenser]

It's not the perfect solution, but I had a local glass company (in the states) cut a piece of in stock frosted glass to fit one of my 8x10 backs. I've not found the need to buy better (?) in well over a year and the price was only about $20.00. Maybe you can find something like that easier than a 'real' ground glass where you are.

[Larry Kellogg]

Thanks for the offer, Ian. We located some Scotch Magic Tape and it is opaque. We also found a piece of glass and will find a place to get it cut tomorrow, hopefully.

I think everything is going to be ok. ;-)

Larry

[anglophone1]

Where exactly are you?