New old camera

[Barney]

Hi,

I have bought an old LF camera, I dont know much about it or how to use it.

I have joined here for specialist advice. I have several 35mm cameras and a bronica MF. This is my first LF camera so excited.

I have had a quick run over it and the main fault seems to be the front roller shutter, Here are some photos for your perusal.

Please do not tell me I have wasted my money and scrap it.

I will recondition it to its previous working glory.

 

[AnalogueWendy]

Lovely camera!
Bit of a restoration project ahead of you, but it looks as if you have all the parts, and more! Nice to have so many plate holders, and they look rugged too. That's a BIG plus.
Both shutters look as if they can be made to work. It just takes some patience.
The Ground Glass at the back is the easiest part.
How are the bellows?
What kind of tripod fixing does it have?
You have so much fun ahead

 

[AnalogueWendy]

Hi,

I have bought an old LF camera, I dont know much about it or how to use it.

I have joined here for specialist advice. I have several 35mm cameras and a bronica MF. This is my first LF camera so excited.

I have had a quick run over it and the main fault seems to be the front roller shutter, Here are some photos for your perusal.

Please do not tell me I have wasted my money and scrap it.

I will recondition it to its previous working glory.

View attachment 5239

View attachment 5240


View attachment 5241


View attachment 5242


View attachment 5243


View attachment 5244

How big is the Ground Glass? I'm trying to tell whether it is half plate or quarter plate size.

 

[Ian Grant]

Excellent.

I picked up a TP Ruby whole plate camera at a camera fair in early March, it's in need of some woodwork repairs. It is also missing a back. However, it came with a Whole plate focal plane shutter and was cheap, I wanted the shutter.

Could you add a photo of the front, please. It's Half plate Wendy, as mentioned in another thread.

I have noticed that many UK companies use better bellows materials for their more expensive top of the range field cameras. That's the same with some US cameras as well.

Ian

 

[AnalogueWendy]

For further encouragement - I use cameras like these all the time. Results vary, of course, and it's a lot like running a vintage car - a lot of maintenance per mile and also a lot of entertainment!

 

[Barney]

Lovely camera!
Bit of a restoration project ahead of you, but it looks as if you have all the parts, and more! Nice to have so many plate holders, and they look rugged too. That's a BIG plus.
Both shutters look as if they can be made to work. It just takes some patience.
The Ground Glass at the back is the easiest part.
How are the bellows?
What kind of tripod fixing does it have?
You have so much fun ahead

Thanks Wendy

The rear shutter is working well, although the blind has seen better days.
Front shutter is full strip and repair.
I am an engineer by trade and have a full workshop at my disposal with lathes, milling machine etc So I agree it will be fun. I also dabble in leatherwork and blacksmithing so have a range of large hammers with which to beat stuff into shape.

Bellows are reasonable to good, it has suffered from poor closing technique I think as there are a few nicks around the bar area. Fully extended they are 600-700mm so I hope they are ok.

Rotating tripod plate is missing but not a biggie to knock one of those up.

 

[Barney]

More images as requested,










I don't know if the damage necessitates a replacement?

 

[Nas]

I'm looking forward to following the progress on this one . You've come to the right place for help and advice.

 

[Barney]

I think The name "ruby" may come from the Oxblood coloured leather, there is a Ruby tinge to it.

 

[David M]

If you are planning to use long extensions, the bellows might be a bit dodgy. Perhaps a bit of repair might be good, but they don’t look too bad at all.

 

[Brian Berry]

You will want to check with Graflex.org for parts and instructions to revive roller blind shutters, front or rear. You will have a lot of fun with this camera, and any barrel lens that strikes your fancy can be used. I favor the 203mm Eastman Anastigmat f6.3, a first-class lens and Ansel Adams's favorite (personal communication). It can be had commonly for not much money. I use it alongside my App-Symmars and it holds up.

 

[Brian Berry]

Graflex.org can also sell you metal sheaths that go in to the holder where a glass plate would go, but conventional film goes into the sheaths. I use them on my 'graflex SLR and they work just fine.