[LargeFormat] Re:5x7 Press Graflex Film Holders..

[Jim Hemenway]

Hi Rich:

Ok, the mirror I ruined was in a Yashica-44 a few years back.  Different 
materials I guess.

Jim - http://www.hemenway.com


tripspud wrote:
> Hi Jim,
> 
>       Theoriginal recommendation from Graflex was to use only cotton
> with plain water and a second cotton ball to wipe the mosture away
> for cleaning the reflex mirrors.
> 
> rich
> 
> 
> Jim Hemenway wrote:
> 
> 
>> >>>Sometimes the laquer yellows. It can be removed with laquer thinner
>>or denatured alcohol and fresh laquer applied. If it isn't yellowed
>>leave it alone.<<<
>>
>>Be careful if you use the denatured alcohol as it usually contains some
>>water.  I ruined a camera mirror once by cleaning it with plain ordinary
>>tap water which washed most of the silver coating away.
>>
>>Jim - http://www.hemenway.com
>>
>>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>>>From: "tripspud" <tripspud@transbay.net>
>>>To: <largeformat@f32.net>
>>>Sent: Friday, January 09, 2004 10:19 AM
>>>Subject: [LargeFormat] Re:5x7 Press Graflex Film Holders..
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>Hi Richard!
>>>>
>>>>     I spoke to Alan Brubaker on the phone yesterday, but
>>>
>>>it
>>>
>>>
>>>>appears he is back ordered and I would have to wait for
>>>
>>>holders
>>>
>>>
>>>>to be made.  He also makes large holders up to 20x24.
>>>
>>>I've put
>>>
>>>
>>>>him in my address folder.
>>>>
>>>>    About the 5x7 Press Graflex, this is my third Graflex
>>>
>>>reflex camera,
>>>
>>>
>>>>though the only one presently:
>>>>
>>>>     The lens is a B&L Tessar 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 and seems
>>>
>>>like 10 inch focal length
>>>
>>>
>>>>and f4.5.  The package the camera came in weighed 12 lbs.
>>>
>>>and it was mostly
>>>
>>>
>>>>camera, so it's a big handfull.  Fortunately, you don't
>>>
>>>have to lift it to your face,
>>>
>>>
>>>>and it balances rather well at waist level using both
>>>
>>>hands.  The shutter lever is
>>>
>>>
>>>>on the left, use the thumb.  It's a thrill to see the
>>>
>>>image 5x7 without a focusing
>>>
>>>
>>>>cloth.
>>>>
>>>
>>>  The problem with the film holders is that the standard
>>>holder has a ridge to act as a light trap and to lock the
>>>holder on the _holder_. The Graflex has the ridge on the
>>>camera. The two will conspire to lift the end of the holder
>>>off the back. Even if its light tight it may be tilted.
>>>Check this.
>>>  AFAIK the reference depth for Graflex holers is the same
>>>as for Graphic holders of the same size. You can check the
>>>holder with a depth micrometer and a reference block. The
>>>block is simply a rigid piece of metal which will extend
>>>accross the sides of the holder, preferably with a hole in
>>>it for the depth gauge, although you can use the edge. Just
>>>measure the thickness of the plate and subtract it from the
>>>measurement. If the holder is a plate holder a plate of some
>>>sort must be in it to give a reference surface. The plate is
>>>usually held against the inside edges of the plate holder by
>>>a spring.
>>>  The ANSI standard depth for a 5x7 holder is 0.228 inches
>>>from the outside edge of the holder (its reference surface)
>>>to the back plate. Most sheet film is 0.007" in thickness,
>>>this must be subtracted from the above if film is in the
>>>holder when measured. That distance (0.221) is also the
>>>depth the emulsion of a glass plate should be from the
>>>reference surface.
>>>
>>>  The B&L Series IIb 6-1/2 x 8-1/1 Tessar is 9-7/8ths inches
>>>FL. The front cell has a threaded back cap, very easy to
>>>remove, so you can clean the inside of the cell without any
>>>special tools although a rubber glove may help to grip the
>>>thing. I have a couple of B&L Tessars of ancient vintage,
>>>they are actually very good lenses.
>>>  Check the mirror of the camera. These were silvered
>>>mirrors covered with protective laquer. Sometimes the laquer
>>>yellows. It can be removed with laquer thinner or denatured
>>>alcohol and fresh laquer applied. If it isn't yellowed leave
>>>it alone.
>>>  Once you get the camera going you will have to get a flash
>>>powder rig so you can be really authentic:-)
>>>
>>>---
>>>Richard Knoppow
>>>Los Angeles, CA, USA
>>>dickburk@ix.netcom.com
>>>
>>>  My 4x5 Super-D is the same way. Its a double handfull but
>>>very well balanced with controlls as for yours. No cable
>>>release, the thing was meant to be hand held. I've taken
>>>some good children's portraits with it, they don't think I
>>>am paying any attention to them.