Big Iron

I made a lot of progress tonight -- part 2

I made a lot of progress tonight -- part 2

There are 5 curtain apertures. The largest is left open when using a leaf shutter. The other 4 come down at a speed determined by the tension setting and are each smaller than the next.
 
I made a lot of progress tonight -- part 3

I made a lot of progress tonight -- part 3

The rangefinder glass surfaces cleaned up nicely. The inner piece with all the mechanism mounts seperate from the outer shell. The viewfinder cleaned up nicely and it's starting to look like a camera again. There is a cover on top of the rangefinder. There is an attachment that shines a light down into the rangefinder and projects two beams of light for focusing in the dark. Where the two beams converge is where it is focused. Pretty neat for late 1940s technology. I need to get one of those lights. I still need to attach the strap and feet and the outside will be done.
 
It's almost done! It still needs the strap, another piece of leather, and the infinity stops and rangefinder need to be adjusted. The shutter should get a CLA but the fast speeds seem fine. It's just the slow speeds that aren't working. Does this mean I will have to take pictures with it?
 
Fruits!? Fruits?! I've got to make fruits?

J and C Photo have the 3.25x4.25 film. But they insist I send them money. I'm working on that. I'm going to be using Efke 100. I have a lab in Seattle lined up that thinks they can process 3.25x4.25. I also need to make a light tight box to send the film in. Then there will be fruits!
 
Gordon, weren't the old 818 roll film folders of the 3.25 by 4.25 format? Not that is any help, but to me at least it was an interesting size neg. I'd have to guess that it was an ideal minimum size for contact prints.
 
I developed my own tmax 4x5 for a while, not to hard to do but you have to get your hands wet 🙂. Your speed graphic looks really nice, I have one I should strip and refinish. Thanks for sharing you progress!

Todd
 
I do have a Polaroid back for pack film (3.25x4.25) but it fits my Mamiya Universal. Of course, I don't have the 127mm lens that would cover it on the Mamiya. The Mamiya Universal is a press camera in the same tradition of the Speed Graphic and all the other Graphics. It and The Graflex XL were the end of the line for press cameras. I did consider trying to fit the Mamiya Polaroid to the Speed Graphic but it would probably make a lot more sense to get a 127mm lens for the Mamiya. I want to use sheet film on the Speed graphic. Someday I will have a darkroom for developing film, but not yet.
 
I'm glad to see that I'm not the only 2x3 owner here. They are fun to use and I can get fantastic looks when I detonate a flashbulb. Mine is a Pacemaker Crown and is currently equiped with 101mm, Graphmatic film holder (6 sheets in one holder for those not in the know), and the 5 inch reflector on a 3 cell case. I had to beat off a few Star Wars fans to get the flash, but it was worth it. Both of you guys have some great modifications going. Thanks for sharing!

- Randy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
My search...
2
Replies
35
Views
1K
Darthfeeble
Darthfeeble
Joao
LF camera made in Italy - request for information
Replies
0
Views
600
Joao
Joao
Gordon Coale
3d printed Cameradactyl Homonculus 69
Replies
5
Views
1K
boojum
boojum
Velorum
Kodak Retinette 1A
Replies
18
Views
962
Velorum
Velorum
hilltime
German Deckel Shutter Cameras/ Voigtlander Bessamatic/Ultramatic Specifically
Replies
5
Views
517
hilltime
hilltime
Back
Top Bottom