Brand 17 question re focusing knobs

[Bernard Kelly]

Could anyone familiar with this camera tell me whether the focusing knobs are of the kind that work together to move the front standard back and forth ... or of the kind that work in such way that the right one does the moving and the left one tightens everything down once in position.

On mine the two seem to be working together but the movement in one direction is really stiff, which makes me wonder if the tightening knob has been jammed.

No manual, unfortunately, or anything like it online. Just a couple of website mentions too many years ago to follow up on.

[Bernard Kelly]

Answered my own question with a little closer examination: they act in tandem. The stiffness was entirely due to the two collars on the rails themselves, which I'd never thought to adjust.

Still wish there was a manual, though.

[Merg Ross]

Answered my own question with a little closer examination: they act in tandem. The stiffness was entirely due to the two collars on the rails themselves, which I'd never thought to adjust.

Still wish there was a manual, though.

Bernard, you have a wonderful camera, and are correct in your answer to the tandem focus. Brand 17 was my first view camera in 1953 --- very solid, rotating back, and adequate bellow length. As I recall, you can move the rear standard foward for short lenses by utilizing the knob located in the center of the body. All of the other movements are fairly intuitive. Have fun!

[Bernard Kelly]

I agree. It is a wonderful camera, quirks and all. Thanks for the tip about the knob in the centre.

[Bernard Kelly]

In fact, there you are in the photo on your website posing with one. How long did you use it?

[Merg Ross]

In fact, there you are in the photo on your website posing with one. How long did you use it?

I used the Brand 17 for about ten years, then switched to Calumet cameras when I started doing commercial photography.