Ironage
Member
Just a quick update. The first roll has now been processed. There was some scratching on the edges. The scratches were not from beginning to end of roll, and were close enough to the edges that they can be cropped out. After inspecting the plate closely and the scratches I couldn't find any burs that matched the scratches. I suspect that little bits got in the camera, and the pressure plate presses strongly against the extra area of the mask trapping particles.
It also became very apparent to me with the viewfinder mask set at 6x4.5 that the width of the site is noticeably more narrow than it should be. I looking at the front window of the viewfinder it seems to have been replaced. I suspect that originally it had a curved lens, but now is just flat glass. On 6x9 the aspect ratio is closer to 6x7 which is better for me because my enlarger only covers 6x7 anyway. On 6x4.5 this is more of a concern for me.
It also became very apparent to me with the viewfinder mask set at 6x4.5 that the width of the site is noticeably more narrow than it should be. I looking at the front window of the viewfinder it seems to have been replaced. I suspect that originally it had a curved lens, but now is just flat glass. On 6x9 the aspect ratio is closer to 6x7 which is better for me because my enlarger only covers 6x7 anyway. On 6x4.5 this is more of a concern for me.
shortstop
Well-known
Don't think your viewfinder has been replaced. Also the 4,5x6 viewfinder of my Weltur is very narrow. I've never shot in 4,5x6, because the beauty of 6x9 is the large negative, that enlarge completely. My original mask has some paint irregularities on the surface due to the age. May be it scrathes the negativa, but as I said, never tried. If I have to use 4,5x6 prefer change camera or crop 6x9, leaving the freedom of shooting the othe frames in 6x9 if I wish. What I want to say is that if you don't succed in doing the mask is not essential.
Cheers