Some questions about the Busch Pressman 4x5 (D)

[macandal]

Could you guys please tell me:

• What type of board do these use? Is it the same as a Wista board (the smaller kind). I have one of these and I was wondering if it would fit the camera.
• What type of rangefinder would I need for this camera? I mean, what exactly do I need to be looking out for if I'm in the market for a rangefinder.

Thanks.

[Dan Fromm]

Go here http://www.butkus.org/chinon/busch/busch.htm and download the Busch Pressman manual.

Short answers: the lensboard is proprietary and nothing else uses it. The rangefinder usually fitted to a 4x5 Pressman is a Kalart, Thing is, there are many models of the Kalart. You can focus your camera on the ground glass.

[macandal]

Go here http://www.butkus.org/chinon/busch/busch.htm and download the Busch Pressman manual.

Short answers: the lensboard is proprietary and nothing else uses it. The rangefinder usually fitted to a 4x5 Pressman is a Kalart, Thing is, there are many models of the Kalart. You can focus your camera on the ground glass.

Dan thanks. I guess it doesn't matter that the link is to a "C" camera (2.25x3.25) and not the "D" (4x5).

The manual says that it uses a Kalart or Hugo Meyer range finder, but it doesn't tell you which model. I don't know much (read: anything) about range finders, so, I'm assuming that they come in different sizes for a specific camera? How should I look for a range finder for this particular camera ("D")?

Oh, and yes, I know I can focus using the ground glass, but part of the reason I bought this camera was to be able to also use it as a "press" camera, taking pictures "on the fly".

[macandal]

I guess I also should've added one more thing:

• I need a lens for this camera. I'm thinking a normal lens to start. What's a good one to have that's not going to break the bank?

Thanks.

[BradS]

It sounds like you bought a Busch Pressman without a ranefinder...is that correct?

Adding a Kalart after the fact is not impossible but, at this point in history its not eaasy either. If you really want a press camera with a rangefinder, it might actually be easier/faster to buy another camera with a rangefinder already attached (make sure it is well adjusted because adjusting them to be accurate is not trivial). I'd strongly recommend a Crown Graphic.

EDIT: the stock 135mm Wollensak Raptar or Schneider Xenar or Kodak Ektar are all excellent.

[macandal]

It sounds like you bought a Busch Pressman without a ranefinder...is that correct?

Adding a Kalart after the fact is not impossible but, at this point in history its not eaasy either. If you really want a press camera with a rangefinder, it might actually be easier/faster to buy another camera with a rangefinder already attached (make sure it is well adjusted because adjusting them to be accurate is not trivial). I'd strongly recommend a Crown Graphic.

EDIT: the stock 135mm Wollensak Raptar or Schneider Xenar or Kodak Ektar are all excellent.

Right. No rangefinder. Do you know exactly what I should be looking for?

Thanks.

[Tin Can]

I have a B&J 4X5 Press which I think is the same as Busch Pressman. It has a Hugo Meyer rangefinder. You need all the rangefinder parts when setting this up. I suggest finding an old camera repair guy. There must be one left in SF. Chicago has a few.

Go study this website. There are many similarities to all Press cameras.

http://graflex.org/speed-graphic/

Often it is cheaper to buy an entire working camera rather than fix what is actually a hulk. Unless your camera is special in some way, start over.

[Jim Jones]

[QUOTE=Randy Moe;1132610]I have a B&J 4X5 Press which I think is the same as Busch Pressman. . . . /QUOTE]

There are significant differences between the 4x5 Busch and B&J, lens boards among them. My B&J cameras, except for a 5x7 flatbed, use the near standard 4 inch square boards that Anniversary model Speed Graphic, MPP, Graphic View, and many other cameras used over several decades. As Dan noted in post #2, the Busch board is different (and not as easy to fabricate) as the more popular 4" board. It may be too small for some otherwise useful lenses. The Busch has bottom tilt instead of the simple optical center tilt of the B&J. It's been years since I've examined a Busch, but recall the construction quality as being better than the B&J. Both use infinity stops that function like those in the Anniversary Speed Graphic, not as convenient for multiple lens users or macro-photography as the later Graphics.

[macandal]

So, in looking for a rangefinder, what are all the parts? Is it just the little unit that goes to the side (appears to be the size of a USB stick) or is there something else? Is a rangefinder the same for a 2.25x3.25 camera as it is for a 4x5? Are there any connecting cables or anything?

When I find one I don't want to end up buying the wrong thing.

Thanks.

[BradS]

So, in looking for a rangefinder, what are all the parts? Is it just the little unit that goes to the side (appears to be the size of a USB stick) or is there something else? Is a rangefinder the same for a 2.25x3.25 camera as it is for a 4x5? Are there any connecting cables or anything?

When I find one I don't want to end up buying the wrong thing.

Thanks.

Two posts have now advised that will be easier / cheaper to find a camera that already has a working range finder....really it will be much easier! It will be very difficult at this time to get all the little bits...the thingy that attaches to the rail for example....you will almost need to find another camer to be sure that you get everything you need.

Fifty years ago, you could have walked into a camera store or repair shop and it would have been a very easy upgrade....not so today.