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Thread: Wista 45VX help?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Oct 2006
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    32

    Wista 45VX help?

    Just purchased a used 45VX from Robert White over here in the UK. Unfortunately they didn't have a manual for it.

    Build quality seems to be almost 'Linhofesque' and most of it seems pretty intuitive, but there are a few things which I need help with.

    If the orientation is for sliding a film holder in portrait from the right, there's a lever/catch protruding from the top right corner of the camera back - can't figure out what it's for.

    How do you remove the entire 'door' which closes over the focussing screen (and which houses the folding hood)?

    Can the circular tripod mount be changed to a different thread size?

    Any guidance on general lubrication and care?

    At some stage I'll probably get the wide angle bellows - but how do you change bellows?


    If someone should happen to have scanned a set of instructions for this camera then obviously I'm all ears!

    Thanks

    Nick

  2. #2
    Big Bend
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    San Antonio, Texas
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    367

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    The pins are spring loaded. Lift up on the whole hood putting pressure on the top pin and it should compress allowing you to remove the hood.

    >>>>>How do you remove the entire 'door' which closes over the focussing screen (and which houses the folding hood)?

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Nov 1999
    Location
    San Clemente, California
    Posts
    3,804

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Wood View Post
    ...If the orientation is for sliding a film holder in portrait from the right, there's a lever/catch protruding from the top right corner of the camera back - can't figure out what it's for....
    Release for the rotating back. Lift/hold it up and the back will be free to turn.

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Wood View Post
    ...How do you remove the entire 'door' which closes over the focussing screen (and which houses the folding hood)?...
    Joe covered that one.

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Wood View Post
    ...Can the circular tripod mount be changed to a different thread size?...
    On mine the socket is 1/4-20. It's held in place by three screws so is readily removeable. I don't know whether Wista offers a replacement for 3/8 screws; the official UK importer (Robert White?) should be able to answer that. If there's no OEM part available a machinist like S.K. Grimes should be able to convert the existing assembly for you.

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Wood View Post
    ...Any guidance on general lubrication and care?...
    All I've ever done is put a small bit of Lubriplate on the rails. Everything else has been so robust as to not need any maintenance.

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Wood View Post
    ...At some stage I'll probably get the wide angle bellows - but how do you change bellows?...
    First, place your index fingers into the top of the rear standard "box" and press up on both ends of the retaining spring clip that holds the top of the bellows. That will release the top; lift the bottom of the bellows out from the channel it sits in and the entire bellows will spring forward, held only by the front standard. Next, at the top of the front standard you'll see two small retaining arms set against stop screws. Rotate the arms away from the stop screws; that will release the top of the bellows. Then lift it out of the lower channel and it'll be completely free. To install the bag bellows -- or reinstall the standard bellows -- reverse these steps.

    Sorry, location of the instruction booklet is unknown. However, you've probably already asked the questions for which answers aren't intuitively obvious.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    32

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    Thanks Joe & Sal,

    Have just returned from my first outing with it - managed just the one shot, but can't wait to soup the negs.

    It's great (and quick and solid) to work with. Just wish I'd read your guidance before going out; that door over the screen can be a real pain when you're luping under the dark cloth. Next time it's coming off as soon as the camera's on the tripod!

    Unfortunately the back revolves without touching that catch - which is why I couldn't figure out what it was for.

    Thanks to both of you for the advice.

    Nick

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    775

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    I know it's an old thread--but if anyone is still listening...

    I recently bought a s/h 45vx on ebay. I'm very happy with the camera but my back also rotates without engaging the lever. When I take the back off of the camera and operate that lever, I can't see anything happening at all and I can't figure out how the mechanism is supposed to work.

    Is this fixable, or should I just leave it alone? The detents seem to keep the back in either the vertical or horizontal orientation just fine.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jun 2002
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    9,487

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    My old SP had that lever too, it was worthless.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Loganville , GA
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    14,409

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    Quote Originally Posted by Noah A View Post
    I know it's an old thread--but if anyone is still listening...

    I recently bought a s/h 45vx on ebay. I'm very happy with the camera but my back also rotates without engaging the lever. When I take the back off of the camera and operate that lever, I can't see anything happening at all and I can't figure out how the mechanism is supposed to work.

    Is this fixable, or should I just leave it alone? The detents seem to keep the back in either the vertical or horizontal orientation just fine.
    Wista service in the USA is reached at 252 652 4401. Give them a call and they can tell you what can be done by them to make it work again.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    775

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    Thanks guys. I'll give them a call but I probably will just live with it unless I can fix it myself.

    It's a wonderful camera by the way. Very solid and fast to set up. And it folds with my 150mm lens inside, which is a great feature in my opinion.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Capitola, CA
    Posts
    15

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    I think Frank is right, and the lever does not do anything with the VX. I can't figure out what it does either...except snag things. The manual for the VX show the lever in the diagram but does not identify it, nor mention it in the text. My guess is it may have served some purpose for another Wista model. Anyways, I don't think it's broken.

    HN

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Sep 1998
    Location
    Loganville , GA
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    14,409

    Re: Wista 45VX help?

    Quote Originally Posted by Hung Nguyen View Post
    I think Frank is right, and the lever does not do anything with the VX. I can't figure out what it does either...except snag things. The manual for the VX show the lever in the diagram but does not identify it, nor mention it in the text. My guess is it may have served some purpose for another Wista model. Anyways, I don't think it's broken.

    HN
    Maybe it is the instruction book you have. In my SP/VX book on page 5 there are specific instructions on how to remove the back to convert to the 69 cm back.

    Here are the instructions:
    The Wista VX with revolving back can be rotated to 45° and the back will then come off by moving the lever (you are asking about) towards the left side of the camera body (looking at it from the rear). Put the 69 back on in place of the 45 back and push the lever to the right.

    The 69 back is 214531 and is a rapid shift type that takes special Wista roll film backs made specifically for it. A different version of the rapid shift is available for the SP and the VX version also fits the RF although a different method is used to remove the Rf 45 back. the rapid shift and the special roll backs are both still available in very limited quantities new on our factory store.

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