clicker
Well-known
I am looking to replace the glass viewing screen on my small Voigtlander folding camera, any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Clicker
Thanks,
Clicker
Viewing glass help
- Thread starter clicker
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 21
- Views 3K
chris00nj
Young Luddite
clicker
Well-known
glass help update
glass help update
This glass is a 6.5x9cm.
Thanks
glass help update
This glass is a 6.5x9cm.Thanks
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Well, you're not going to find a new one! Two suggestions - find a similar camera and strip it for the parts or alternatively find a camera or screen with the right type of glass and get it cut to the size you need.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Andrew, I'm curious what model of "small Voigtlander folding" camera would have used such a viewing screen?
Leigh
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Ha! Now I see - it was probably an Avus - but I'd hardly class that as "small". However, I suppose it could qualify as a small plate camera.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Yes Andrew - it was for you. I was sure you'd have the answer - I had in mind a folding film-type camera and hadn't seen the hybrid model before.
I also see it's likely to have a Tessar design lens (Skopar) or else a Voigtar if it was the cheaper model.
I also see it's likely to have a Tessar design lens (Skopar) or else a Voigtar if it was the cheaper model.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Could also have been a Bergheil model which had a better specification than the Avus. Brassai used a Bergheil for many years in Paris.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
There's one on the bay for sale at the moment, located in Aus and one bid at $50.
At least the seller thinks it's probably a Bergheil but he's not sure.
At least the seller thinks it's probably a Bergheil but he's not sure.
Leigh Youdale
Well-known
Sorry, 'hybrid' was the wrong word, but I was trying to imply "dual fuel" or words to that effect. There's another one BIN in South Africa for under $300 and I see Ilford still produce sheet film in that size in FP4+.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
(Later) Bergheils have interchangeable lenses. That however is a somewhat theoretical benefit - except for one obviously very recent hack I've never seen a lens without camera, nor any focal length other than a normal.
The format may have survived for long due to a variety of technical applications - German (and probably most other European) mug shot cameras in particular kept it very present. Up until they converted to digital they were standardized on 6x9, and fiscal economics required them to use sheets rather than wasting part of a roll even if the savings were only a few cents. Passport photo studios followed that example - using similar equipment meant that there was no technical obstacle to meeting the required standards, and sheets allowed them to process on the spot and contact print, for a finished result within 15 minutes. Besides, 6x9 sheet capable cameras allow for using a Polaroid back.
The format may have survived for long due to a variety of technical applications - German (and probably most other European) mug shot cameras in particular kept it very present. Up until they converted to digital they were standardized on 6x9, and fiscal economics required them to use sheets rather than wasting part of a roll even if the savings were only a few cents. Passport photo studios followed that example - using similar equipment meant that there was no technical obstacle to meeting the required standards, and sheets allowed them to process on the spot and contact print, for a finished result within 15 minutes. Besides, 6x9 sheet capable cameras allow for using a Polaroid back.
clicker
Well-known
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
It looks more like an Avus to me. Only early Bergheils had that central finder and lacked a precision drive on the vertical shift, but the decoration on the early ones was more ornamental - yours looks like a more reduced thirties design.
But YMMV, both cameras received a series of feature updates over their lifetime, so that late Avus are more feature laden than the first Bergheil, making them not that easy to distinguish. We can only guess, unless there is a catalogue that identifies yours by picture or feature list, or you find some embossed serial or type name in the leather.
But YMMV, both cameras received a series of feature updates over their lifetime, so that late Avus are more feature laden than the first Bergheil, making them not that easy to distinguish. We can only guess, unless there is a catalogue that identifies yours by picture or feature list, or you find some embossed serial or type name in the leather.
Jerevan
Recycled User
Get some carborondrum grit or valve grinding paste, get someone to cut a few pieces of glass in the right size and make your own groundglass. Just remember to get the sharp edges of the cut glass sanded down.
I've been told that lapidary suppliers can supply silicon carbide, #400 for coarse and #600 for finer grit.
I've been told that lapidary suppliers can supply silicon carbide, #400 for coarse and #600 for finer grit.
Last edited:
clicker
Well-known
Thanks
Thanks
Thanks everyone for the helpful information, I can always count on great advice from the rf members.
Clicker
Thanks
Thanks everyone for the helpful information, I can always count on great advice from the rf members.
Clicker
oftheherd
Veteran
It looks close to, but not exactly like this one http://cgi.ebay.com/BERGHEIL-9X12-H...otography_Film_Cameras_ET&hash=item1e5fdb2b86. Are those things really that much of a collector's item? That and the prices for some of the other bergheils seem way out of line.
Anyway, the advice to make you own is good. I have made my own 4x5 and 8x10 ground glass with sandpaper, using a small grit. The paste mentioned by jerevan might be a better option. Use a second smaller glass and a block of wood with the paste in between. Careful not to break either glass or cut yourself on the edges. Sandpaper is a good way to smooth the edges of the glass.
But I was curious, is the lower part of your GG offset too much. It looks usable as is, even if not so good looking.
Let us know how it turns out.
Anyway, the advice to make you own is good. I have made my own 4x5 and 8x10 ground glass with sandpaper, using a small grit. The paste mentioned by jerevan might be a better option. Use a second smaller glass and a block of wood with the paste in between. Careful not to break either glass or cut yourself on the edges. Sandpaper is a good way to smooth the edges of the glass.
But I was curious, is the lower part of your GG offset too much. It looks usable as is, even if not so good looking.
Let us know how it turns out.
clicker
Well-known
glass
glass
The glass is actual still usable, but I have a little OCD regarding little things that are in need of repair. Anyway I don't know if it has any value, I just like the way it looks.
glass
The glass is actual still usable, but I have a little OCD regarding little things that are in need of repair. Anyway I don't know if it has any value, I just like the way it looks.
sevo
Fokutorendaburando
Well, Bergheils are one of the very few small interchangeable lens plate cameras - that makes them a collectors curiosity as well as a desired users item.
See the double geared shift movement, double extension, right handed finder and lens bayonet on the pictured one - features the OP's camera does not seem to have. If both are from the same period, and I'd agree there with you going by the look of the details, the OP's is a less feature rich model - presumably the Avus.
oftheherd
Veteran
I also hope you like using it. I have one with a slow shutter, and a film pack that has about 7 sheets left to expose. Something I need to do when I have time to fix the shutter.
