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Thread: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

  1. #1
    ELKRIVERSCOTT elkriverscott's Avatar
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    No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    In the olden days I shot 35mm for a living and recently decided to go to large format and happened upon a B & J Grover commercial view. Mono rail in original box.
    Looks great, nice lens and accessories, perfect bellows. What size did I buy. 5X7 or 8X10. How do I tell? Thanks for reading.
    P.S. Are the lens and shutter usually sold separately?

    No idea what I'm doing but having a great time.

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  2. #2

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    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    I think they made them in a couple of different sizes. Measure the ground glass on the back, it should approximately match the size of the format (ex: 4x5, 5x7, 8x10, etc.).

    Lenses and shutters are up to you, you can really use any lens you want but it needs to cover the size of the film you're using. There's some links on the homepage here that will tell you which lens will cover which format. If you get a barrel lens (no build in shutter) you'll have to figure out how to time your exposure (lens cap on, lens cap off, etc). You'll need a lens board to fit and hold your lens.

  3. #3
    ELKRIVERSCOTT elkriverscott's Avatar
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    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    I will measure back glass now, thanks. I have the lens mounted on a shutter on a board and will post pic. Lens is a schneider kreuznach symmar 1:5 6/150

    Thank you very very much.

  4. #4

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    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    Quote Originally Posted by elkriverscott View Post
    I will measure back glass now, thanks. I have the lens mounted on a shutter on a board and will post pic. Lens is a schneider kreuznach symmar 1:5 6/150

    Thank you very very much.
    Given that lens, expect the format to be 4x5.

    Good luck in your new to you adventure.

    Lots of guidance here if you need it. We all had to learn sometime ago...

  5. #5

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    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    My guess is it's a 4x5, based on the lens. It might just barely cover 5x7 with no movements, based on the link here: https://www.largeformatphotography.info/lenseslist.html

  6. #6

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    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    Can you measure the wooden size of the back? The one picture with the back looks like it might be a reducing back. You might have a 5x7" camera with a 4x5" back. I have a 5x7 Grover and the back is 8.5"x8.5"

    -Darren

  7. #7
    Jon Shiu's Avatar
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    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    The lens is really 2 lenses in one. 150mm or 265mm. It is called a convertible lens. With both front and back elements it is 150mm f5.6, with one element removed (I think the front?) it is 265mm f12, green lettering aperture scale.
    my black and white photos of the Mendocino Coast: jonshiu.zenfolio.com

  8. #8

    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    Since the front and rear standards are roughly the same dimension, I'd guess 4x5 150mm is a 4x5 lens
    Flikr Photos Here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/

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  9. #9

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    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    Um, eh, ah, grover2.img shows a shutter and a lens' front cell. Do you have the rear cell?

  10. #10
    loujon
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    Re: No dumb questions here...What have I purchased?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dan Fromm View Post
    Um, eh, ah, grover2.img shows a shutter and a lens' front cell. Do you have the rear cell?
    Hey brother Dan the rear cell shown sitting along side of the shutter in the OP's 4th photo.

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