Paint? for Ansco 8x10

[Petzval Paul]

Oh, sorry for the lame jpeg I quickly took with my phone before work this morning!

[Tin Can]

It does look very nice, and I love red bellows. Are your bellows original? I have found B&J bellows get very stiff with age.

I found I could take 5x7 frames off a B&J monorail and fit them easily to B&J 4x5 flatbed. Then I bought an Ansco.

Here's the B&J I stripped and 'ebonized.' It isn't fancy, but the red bellows are cool and I made a rustic wetplate back for it that actually works quite well, giving me 4.75" x 4.75" plates. Both the finishing and the wetpalte back were done quickly and easily, but the camera works well and I was up and shooting with it in no time.

Attachment 103147

[Petzval Paul]

Yes, they are original. Fortunately, they are still light-tight and supple. I printed a pic I took with it last night.... will upload now to the alternative process gallery.

[Kirk Fry]

I have an old grey 8X10 one with the tilting front lens board. Seems to me if they came from the factory in grey, that is the way they aught to stay. You can have them in any color as long as it is grey... KF

[Pete Watkins]

Hi Randy,
As far as I can find out the Specialist No.2 was made between 1950 & 57. They also came with smaller backs (4x5 I assume). Kodak had (it might still be there) a large factory in the Harrow area of North London. It was next to the west coast main line. I have no idea if they were equipped to produce these caneras or if the sub contracted the order out (Ian might know). I'm adding a couple of not impressive pictures of my No.2. It looks as though it was sold without an extension base as a stop is fitted but I have an extension base that needs a bit of adapting to make it fit.
Pete.

[Pete Watkins]

Just a couple of my 1926/7 Ansco 5x7 (I have a 4x5 back as well). It's all original except for the bellows. When I bought it it had the wrong sized (or shortened) bellows on it. Now it attracts too much attention when I'm out with it but I love it.
Pete.

[Tin Can]

Pete,

I like the bail back. The back springs on mine were so tight, I took out the helper springs and the main springs are still very tight. A bail would be useful.

I think these are kinda cool with all the geared movements. Mine was a little loose. Rear tilt was floppy. I tightened the adjustable parts by careful bending and waxed the ways. The steel finger riders in the flatbed have adjustable tangs.

Mine has the bed stop also and I have the original extension, which fortuitously fits exactly in an 8x10 paper box. It has a second stop on it. All the wood is very dense and heavy, since it is painted I have no idea what it is.

My camera appears to have been very lightly used and was sold as having a new bellows. They sure look new.

Now I want to find the proper 1/2 plate holders...

Hi Randy,
As far as I can find out the Specialist No.2 was made between 1950 & 57. They also came with smaller backs (4x5 I assume). Kodak had (it might still be there) a large factory in the Harrow area of North London. It was next to the west coast main line. I have no idea if they were equipped to produce these caneras or if the sub contracted the order out (Ian might know). I'm adding a couple of not impressive pictures of my No.2. It looks as though it was sold without an extension base as a stop is fitted but I have an extension base that needs a bit of adapting to make it fit.
Pete.

[Pete Watkins]

Hi Randy,
I don't know what the postage would be but this dealer has three https://secure.peterwalnes.com/compo...d,69/Itemid,1/
Pete.

[Tin Can]

Wow, I gotta be careful what I wish for!

He has a shipping chart right on his website.

I would prefer wood holders as I think they are better with wood cameras. However nice wood 1/2 plate holders may be much more rare.

Thanks Pete!

Hi Randy,
I don't know what the postage would be but this dealer has three https://secure.peterwalnes.com/compo...d,69/Itemid,1/
Pete.

[evan clarke]

Bought at Home Depot