I have an Agfa Ansco 5x7 on its way across The Atlantic as we speak :-). I need a bit of help, what "bits" are available for this camera? It has a 5x7 back, are 4x5 reducing backs around? The camera has no front tilt, has anybody modified one of these cameras to allow front tilt? Will my B&J lensboards fit or have I got to make yet another size lensboards? I would appreciate any other advise thats available.
Many thanks,
Pete.
hey pete, there is a guy on this forum in the for sale section selling a 5x7 to 4x5 reducing back for an ansco right now, check it out. he probably could answer all your questions about your "new" 5x7 thats coming your way as he already owns one. hope this helps..............frank
Thanks, Frank. That bloke is/was selling the later grey painted version. I'm getting the older polished /laquered version. All I really want to know is what size lens boards this camera will take, are 4x5 reducing backs available for this older model and are any other interesting "bits" available?
Thanks,
Pete.
In general any accessories you find will be on the used/auction market, as these cameras have not been made in decades. There was a 4x5 reducing back, yes, as well as a sliding tripod block. It would be easy to make a 4x5 back from a surplus Agfa/Ansco 5x7 back and any wood based 4x5 back, regardless of brand. Lensboards are going to have to be sourced used, or you make them yourself, or get a wood craftsman to make them for you, as they are just made from wood. I believe there was also a sliding 5x7 back that allowed you to take 2 3 1/2 x 5 images on one sheet of 5x7 film. If looking for spare parts, don't be put-off by the later gray colored cameras, they are basically the same, it was just cheaper to finish in gray paint than varnished wood. There is a site (that I can't seem to find at the moment) I think called Photo Excentric (I could be wrong about name) that has a complete Agfa/Ansco vintage catalog scanned on online, which would show you all the accessories that were available at one time years ago.
Virtually all of the 5x7 Agfa cameras I've seen used 5 1/4" lens boards. The lip of the lens board is thicker than comparable Wisner lens boards, which are also 5 1/4", so the two are not interchangeable. While original lens boards may possibly be found, very serviceable boards can be made from 3/8" Baltic birch or similar plywood. It's possible to have someone make three-piece lens boards from cherry and have them stained to match the camera. The cameras were themselves made from cherry, I believe. I've made boards both ways and the plywood boards work just fine and are easier to make while the three-piece boards look nicer. Original Agfa boards have a thin round bead on the left and right side running vertically the length of the board.
I have a 5x7 very similar to what yours sounds like - older lacquered finish, no front tilt and brass hardware. I've never considered modifying the front to include tilt. There were variations in the cameras; you might keep your eyes open for one which has tilt, although I don't know for sure that it existed in 5x7. The 8x10 Agfa's can be found either with or without tilt.
I'm not aware of many accessories or "bits" for the camera. No doubt a 4x5 reducing back was available, but you'd do just as well to find an old Graflok back and adapt it to a wood panel to fit. Or possibly you could find another wooden 4x5 back which could be trimmed or adjusted to fit. Again, there were manufacturing variations in the Agfa cameras as with most products, so just because something says "Agfa" doesn't mean it's going to fit. I have Agfa backs which will fit one Agfa camera, but not another. Make sure to check dimensions and hardware requirements before you put down your money.
I believe there was also a sliding 5x7 back that allowed you to take 2 3 1/2 x 5 images on one sheet of 5x7 film.
******
Yes, that's correct. I have one for my 5x7 Agfa-Ansco.
And the lens boards are not hard to make, as was pointed out.
Pete, hopefully when I'm next in the UK we're making a front tilting lens board for a 10x8 Agfa Ansco, and also one for a 5x7 Agfa Ansco, I'll be working with a Birmingham based photographer.
Ian
Ian,
Nice to hear from you. I havn't seen the camera yet and I'm expecting a few minor problems (mainly in the bellows department). I've got a 4x5 back on the way from the States as well, but when I take owenership I'll be in touch with you. Ansco's seem to have a very good reputation and I really seem to think that front tilt would put the icing on the cake.
Best wishes,
Pete.
Thanks to everybody for their help.
Pete.
Pete, both Ansel Adams & Brett Weston used Agfa Ansco 10x8's, there were the best available US made camera of their type before WWII.
I'll PM you with details of what we are proposing to make closer to the time of my next trip back to the UK, probably in late March or early April.
Ian
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