OT - Large Format Lenses

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Ash

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Hey all,

This is totally completely and utterly off topic, but I'm hoping maybe you gearheads can help.

Turns out the very old folding large format camera in my parent's wardrobe will never see its original lens ever again. It's disappeared and no-one knows where it went.

The camera itself is one of those huge wooden box/bellows outfits. Last time I searched the name of the camera google found about 1 good link and said it was a museum piece, bout 100 years old. Apparently the original lens was pretty much a brass casing round the lens with the shutter behind.


I'm after a very cheap old large format lens/shutter. Does anyone know any websites (aside from ebay, mrcad) that could help? There's no real point spending over £100 on a large format lens and shutter as it'll never see enough use to justify that.


Any idea's on lens/shutters?

Also I was thinking of (thanks to the lensbaby thread from fgianni) using a cheap enlarger lens, with a shutter mechanism attached. Any idea's on cheap shutter mechs? copal mechs seem pretty pricey.


Thanks everyone.
 
You can use about any lens provided it has enough coverage for your format: enlarger lenses might not be up to that.

Pick an inexpensive barrel lens on ebay, and use your hat (or lenscap) in place of shutter, until you find a deal for something with shutter. When you need decisive moment type shots go with the other fine cameras you already have 🙂
 
You may have a difficult time with finding an old lens. They are out there, but not always cheap. The market on them seems to have become more active in the recent years with a lot of large format photogs satrting to use these old lenses again. Your camera may have been equipped with a Thornton-Pickard roller blind shutter and brass barrel lens. I have two cameras of that type and the same era as your parents that I brought back from Yorkshire years ago. I have a shutter on both cameras but only one lens. The lenses weren't necessarily standardized in those days so you may be looking at fitting up whatever you find. Are you interested in turning this camera into a user or just something to look good on the shelf? Sometimes KEH has old lens/shutters that might work. I received a new catalog just the other day but haven't been able to really check it out. You might want to check out their web site.
 
I'm actually planning on using the camera. It's big and will definitely be an experience. (no doubt a costly one!)

Thanks for the links so far, and yes I should have expected the 'vintage-effect' where it's going to end up a little pricey.

I won't mind using any lens on the camera, I guess it's a the shutter I'm really needing to look for.

Also, Clarence thanks for that link but APUG is overwhelming!! I think they're going to have to be last resort because it sent my head spinning!

Thanks and keep the suggestions coming! 😀
 
It's not necessarily an everyday occurance, but finding old brass lenses on ebay isn't that hard. Search for Kodak, Gundlach, Turner Reich and Brass lens (or other brands as you think of them). Some are barrel lenses without shutters, and some have shutters. That is assuming you want an old brass lens for the old look on both the camera and film, rather than a more modern ones. As to shutters, depending on the shutter speed needed, and the speed of the film, you can indeed use a lens cap or hat. They did that in the late 1800s and very early 1900s. You could also look for Packard shutters. They are usually triggered by air bulbs for about 1/25th second. When I have a chance, I will post a link to a company that still makes them. Packard shutters on ebay seem to go for a little much as most people don't know they are still manufactured.
 
The APUG link that Clarence listed will be very useful.
Also see Large Format Photography Info

What size is the camera 5x7, 8x10, banquet?

LF does not need to be expensive. I just finished making a wooden tripod for my 4x5 out of some Ash I had sitting around. Freestyle has some good prices on film. I am going through a box of 50 sheets of arista.edu that was pretty cheap.

By all means, fix that thing up. Nothing is better than a really large negative. You'll love iit.
Developing large format without a darkroom is rather daunting though.
 
It's a 10x8. Sorting out a few photo's now for APUG. will link them here in a second
 
Wow - 8x10? That's a lot of negative to cover. You really need to be careful about the lens that will cover it.

First off - there is no reason to get an actual old lens, right? You just don't want to spend the money on, like, a Nikkor-W or something. Makes sense to me.

I have a 5x7 and got an Ikoflex in an Acme shutter for $10. I love it. Uncoated, but in the right situation the results are fantastic. There are finds like this all over on ebay, but you do have to know what you are looking for.

There was a thread on apug a while ago on "unclean" brands - brands other than the usual ones. Not nec cheap lenses, but many of them are.

http://www.kaiyen.com/photos/pages/2006/05/apug-are-there-any-good-lenses-from.html

allan
 
8x10, you lucky SOB. Make sure to check the bellows for light leaks. I used a flash inside of the bellows in a darkened room and marked the pinholes for patching.
 
For much of LF work, you don't need a modern or top quality lens. Sheer negative size and quality of modern film allows a lot.
 
Ash, I agree that a Packard pneumatic shutter is your best bet. It was the standard for studio cameras in the 30s-50s. I have my father-in-law's camera packed away. It was built as an 8x10, then equipped with a 5x7 back. He even had a "split back" that allowed one to make two 3 1/2 x 5 images on a single sheet of 5x7 film. That was his means of earning a living for a while. When he sold out his studio, he sold the lens and shutter, but I have the camera and wood tripod.

Jim N.
 
Looks like a nice old field camera, in quite good condition considering its age.
 
Yea its not too shabby. I've got 2 or 3 wooden backs for it as well. No doubt a little bit of carpentry (or botching) and I could create more new backs or 5x7 etc.

I really want to get some experimenting as soon as possible. No doubt first thing I'd do is stick Ilford paper straight in it to try to get instant images 😀

On eBay I found what looks like the original lens for the item, at £20 exc postage. Saw some other bargains I'll be watching.

I think I'm going to have a GAS attack.
 
Beware, LF GAS is expensive, and can be heavy to ship 🙂

I almost ended up buying a 13x18 rig, which I used on a loan. Fortunately I didn't, otherwise it'd be pain in the rear to bring it up here 🙂
 
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