What equipment is hard for you to find?

[Jody_S]

Something that's getting harder to find: universal iris.

[Havoc]

- a scanner that sits between a flatbed and a drum that could take to 8x10
- centerfilters for wide angles

[Tin Can]

I do not think we have a profitable Hoseman project

Not much response, I can still use mine just fine

I will still ship OP the broken part, but I am missing the lever part, have the captive ring

Mine broke the very first time I used the barely used camera

I bought it on this forum, from a lapsed member years ago

He howled when I mentioned it and blamed me

I kept the camera, but I will never buy from that GUY ever again

I also have a 2X3 Hoseman that will not accept common plastic DDS, but wood DDS fit

I really like Hoseman camera which have many very useful features and top build quality

I and a another member have long looked for the 5X7 set

Maybe I make one with Calumet parts, maybe not

Maybe 3!

I think they are cast hollow aluminium or Zinc

I will send one to MO as sample

I have a pile of Horseman

[Xiggy]

Decent copy stand at affordable price. Nice if light was incorporated in base.

[John Layton]

Low profile quick release with large (4x5 inch-ish footprint) plate.

Plate should be slotted to allow for one or two 3/8" (or 1/4" as option) screws to be adjustable to particular camera specs. Base should incorporate similar slot to accommodate one or two threaded screws (so would attach with two screws to my Gitzo magnesium head, for example). Idea here being that things don't come loose and start spinning - (which is a PITA!)

Profile of locking mechanism and knob needs to rest below the profile of the plate (locking knob moves below the upper plane), so even if camera base is larger there would be no interference (thus avoiding another PITA!).

Oh...and make this lightweight - maybe magnesium? Gee...thanks!

[Sal Santamaura]

Low profile quick release with large (4x5 inch-ish footprint) plate.

Plate should be slotted to allow for one or two 3/8" (or 1/4" as option) screws to be adjustable to particular camera specs. Base should incorporate similar slot to accommodate one or two threaded screws (so would attach with two screws to my Gitzo magnesium head, for example). Idea here being that things don't come loose and start spinning - (which is a PITA!)

Profile of locking mechanism and knob needs to rest below the profile of the plate (locking knob moves below the upper plane), so even if camera base is larger there would be no interference (thus avoiding another PITA!).

Oh...and make this lightweight - maybe magnesium? Gee...thanks!

Aluminum, not magnesium, but for the plate:

http://www.sunwayfoto.com/e_goodsDetail.aspx?gId=1143

Any Arca-compatible low profile lever-locking clamp (I prefer RRS) on the head of your choice.

[John Layton]

Gee...thanks!

[barryjyoung]

Ok

maybe 3!

I think they are cast hollow aluminium or zinc

i will send one to mo as sample

i have a pile of horseman

[barryjyoung]

Hi Tin Can:

So with any kind of manufacturing, Cheaply happens with big numbers of a particular item. Nothing having to do with large format comes close to enough units to allow "cheaply". The problem is not with the manufacturers but with the spoiled rotten consumers. We are all spoiled because things mass produced are astounding bargains. Look at a ball point pen (the cheapo ones they give away at the bank where you save all that money buy buying mass produced goods), Under a quarter. They literally make them by the millions. What if you only wanted one? The first simple ball point pen off the assembly line is worth EASILY over a million dollars. All the set up of the machines, sourcing the raw materials, training of the staff, purchasing the machinery, leasing or buying the property, wiring the machines, paying the designers, the draftsmen, programmers, quality control people, toolmakers, machinists, getting boxes printed, and buying the toilet paper all have to happen. Now because we never buy anything that is not mass produced, when we ask for someone to make one custom thing for us, we are not ready for the price when it gets quoted. But all those expenses still exist if we make one or a million of something. Why is this hard to understand?

So no, cheaply and for profit only go together with huge order quantities.

Barry

I wonder if someone will make very simple shutters

Cheaply for profit

Seems many have an aversion to NOS Packards, I love them, still made

but are Copal sizes patented?

I would settle for 1/30th and Bulb in Copal sizes with a slot for apertures

[barryjyoung]

Hi Sal:

A problem I have with working from other peoples measurements is that if I make something to their measurements and it does not fit they still blame me and expect me to do it again even though their measurements were incorrect. So you are an engineer, with calipers, does that mean you know how to measure? I am a toolmaker with a computer, it does not make me an engineer. I think Tin Can is going to send me a Horseman lever to take measurements from. Once that happens, I will make sure to make some extras and let you know.

Hi Barry,

I've gone to great lengths trying to purchase a replacement part, checking with U.S. Horseman repair shops and even having Bellamy Hunt ("Japan Camera Hunter") contact the current owner of Horseman. The part is no longer available. Some have suggested purchasing a complete used camera just to scrounge the needed item, but that's too expensive as far as I'm concerned. Thus, I am rather reticent to (pardon the pun) part with my intact FA locking lever.

The potential good news is that I'm a retired engineer in possession of digital calipers and experience making measurements. If you think that approach has merit, contact me via PM and we can discuss how to proceed.