I've had the idea for a while of replacing the back of an 8x10 Kodak 2D with a 12x20 rear frame and spring back. Keep the front standard as is; keep all the 2D movements--front rise and fall, rear left-right swing, rear front and back tilt. New bellows of course.
I plan to install a 40 inch long bellows, allowing much greater options than the 22 inch draws of the Korona or F&S 12x20 banquet cameras. The original 8x10 2D rails allow for 30 inches of draw. I plan to fabricate a new base--16 inches long, 9 wide--so I can detach the rear rail and slide the sections fore and aft to use the maximum 40 inch draw of the new bellows, and still be able to use the rack and pinion focusing of the original hardware and rail. Sort of like a Deardorff and other models with two rails, one that extends to the front and the other to the rear.
I've been looking for a beater 2D, and just found one, so I'm ready to get started with this project. I think this can be done relatively easily, and could open up the possibility of ULF to some folks who aren't interested in spending 7gs or more for a new ULF. I'm looking at more like $600 for this modification, with most of that going for the new bellows.
I've been in touch with Rudy about the bellows. I am hoping to fabricate the rear bellows frame and send both front and rear frames to him in the next few days. I've got a local metal smith to extend the rear tilt rod an extra 11 inches from the current 11.5 inch width to the new 22.5 inch width. I've got 12x20 Deardorff springs from Barry C.
I figure I've got 5-7 lenses on hand that will cover 12x20; two S&S holders; 3 packs of film in the freezer. Just need the camera.
I will post some before photos later today, and work-in-progress photos as this project develops (so to speak).
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