4 x 5 CALUMET

CMoore · Jun 26, 2016

I am only curious...not thinking about buying another camera.
But.....what is the story with these, were they a pretty good piece.?
Any of you guys Have/Use one.?
Thank You
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/pho/5653851409.html

Dennis S · Jun 26, 2016

I have one with a couple of good lenses and performs well. That is a very good deal as it includes the box and holders. Mine did not include the box but I put one together that works for me (Plastic milk case). Other than learning how to upgrade from 120-4x5 I had very few problems so far.

Konical · Jun 26, 2016

Good Evening, CMoore,

The price is fair, although it may actually be possible to find a CC-400 being given away somewhere. I don't recognize the lens, but it appears that the shutter, at least, is an older one. Keep in mind that film holders, if you can still find them in unused condition, would probably sell for at least $10 each, probably more. All that matters for the camera itself is that the bellows be light-tight and that all the controls work properly and lock up securely. From what I can tell from the photos, the camera appears to be in excellent condition, but a quick check before buying would obviously be a good idea.

I have used the CC-400 since the mid-'70's and have no complaint about it--except that it is a bit heavy and awkward to carry. Everything on mine is original and still functions properly. The smallish 4 × 4 lens board could be a bit limiting for those who use very large lenses, but I haven't had that problem.

Konical

CMoore · Jun 26, 2016

Thanks for the info.
Of all the cameras for sale on Ebay/Craigslist...i have no idea why this snagged my interest.....color maybe.?
Again, i have no interest in owning it, i guess the look of it peeked my interest, so i thought i would run it by you guys.
Sounds like a decent deal, hope he (she.?) goes to a good home.

Kirks518 · Jun 26, 2016

I have one. I like it, but it's (I guess) more of an entry-level view camera. I think it's a good deal as well at that price. The case is something I need.

bdial · Jun 26, 2016

They are a very good, but basic camera. Heavy compared to many, and lacking in features like detachable bellows and scales on the movements.
But neither of those are essential for making great pictures. I've had two, hiked around Point Lobos with the first one, and made one of my favorite images with it there. Between the ones I owned and ones owned by my employer at the time, I've exposed hundreds of sheets of film with them.
It's a great camera for learning the basics of using a view camera with, they are rugged and versatile in spite of some of the limitations.

It's an old design, they were first made by Kodak as I recall, not sure what timeframe, probably 1940's. I think Calumet was the third company making them. I bought my first one new from them around 1977. The price of the linked one seems reasonable, especially considering it's a complete kit, though assuming that the bellows is good and the shutter is functioning.

mgb74 · Jun 26, 2016

I believe Orbit made the same design, or a knockoff, or licensed it. Or maybe the other way around. I've seen some with shorter rails, sacrificing close focus for more portability.

I don't think that price is particularly attractive, unless the lens has more value than meets my eye. But not bad as a starting point.

Dennis S · Jun 27, 2016

Myself I have been looking for the proper box and what I have found was it is almost that much for just the box. Shipping to me is expensive @ Vancouver BC. The size is the whole problem. If that was offered on C list out here I would be on it like white on rice. But reality rears it's ugly head.

gone · Jun 27, 2016

Not sure if I owned the exact same model as the one on your link, but my camera looked identical and had a rotating back, a neat feature. As others have said, they are perfectly good cameras. Not the most movements in the world, but enough for most people. You often see these cameras in great condition, as people get started w/ them, and then go on to better cameras. I found the lack of movements on the front too limiting, and it was not a fun camera for portability, as are most if not all monorails.

I guess it depends on what you want to do w/ it. If you're mostly shooting at home and maybe just doing portraits it should be fine. If you like going out and shooting landscapes, or even want to do some hand held shots, then a Crown Graphic is a lot better, especially because they fold up so small for carrying and will give you at least front rise and fall. You'll pay about twice as much for a good one though, although I think you might be able to do it for $200-$250, but not w/ film holders.

wilper · Jun 27, 2016

I have one, it is quite heavy. I have strapped the transport case to a backpack frame to take it into the field. But a Crown Graphic is a lot more fun to lug around, I have carried one in the shoulder bag for my SLR.

For taking pictures at home I prefer the Calumet however.

narsuitus · Jun 27, 2016

I have/use one that is similar.

Calumet made a CC-400 standard model, a CC-401 long focus model, and a CC-402 wide field model. My wide field model has a 13-inch rail and a 7 3/16 inch bellows. The Long focus has a 26-inch rail and a 22-inch bellows. Yours looks like the standard model which has a 20-inch rail and a 16-inch bellows. All three have rising and falling front, sliding front, and a center-axis swinging and tilting front movement. All three have a sliding rear and a center-axis swinging and tilting rear movement. None have rising and falling rear. All three have a revolving film back that allows easy change in orientation from landscape to portrait.

The 4x5 Calumet is heavy and well made.

Calumet has declared bankruptcy; therefore, do not expect support from the company.

A used case, like the one in your package, cost about $50.

Used film holders cost about $10 each.

The film back will accept a Calumet 6x7cm roll-film holder.

I cannot tell you anything about the lens because I cannot see it. However, if the lens is a dog, the price of the package is low enough that you can afford to toss the lens in the trash.

By the way, I notice that you posted your message in the medium format forum. For your information, 4x5 cameras are no longer considered medium format. They are now classified as large format.

Large Format by Narsuitus, on Flickr

Alan Gales · Jun 27, 2016

For about the same money you can get a later Cambo or Calumet entry level model without a lens. Add a 210mm lens from one of the major manufacturers in modern Copal shutter for $150.00.

For the extra money you get a lighter monorail about the same weight as a metal technical field camera, interchangeable bellows with bag bellows available. The lens boards are larger but you can buy an adapter that takes the popular and small Technika style boards.

Well used film holders go for $5 a pop. Less worn ones for a little more. You can use your 35mm camera's meter, a black oversized T-shirt or sweat shirt for a dark cloth, and cheap reader's from the drug store for a loupe. You will need a decent tripod to hold the weight. An old Tiltall for $100 or less will work.

Just another low cost option if you want to try 4x5 on the cheap.

With either camera if you decide 4x5 is not for you and you bought right then you can sell it all and get almost if not all your money back. Figure any loss as a very cheap rental fee.

Rich Ullsmith · Jun 29, 2016

Yes, I have this same kit. It's heavy, clunky, cumbersome. In a studio, great. Carrying it on a tripod through the woods, well god bless you. I should have got a Crown Graphic for what I am doing.

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 29, 2016

It would make a good learning camera because it's basic, simple, and easy to use. You'll quickly find its limitations, and it would be enough for you to determine if you want to keep going with LF or not, and if not, you can certainly get your money back out of it. But all the caveats others have mentioned about it apply - they are large and heavy compared to other 4x5 view cameras, and lack interchangeable parts such as bellows. They're an old enough design that getting accessories for them would be exclusively through the used market. If you wanted a lens other than the one that comes with it, you can get the lenses themselves many places, and then make the lens board yourself if you have even a modicum of woodworking skills (a router, some plywood, and a drill would be all you'd need toolwise).

TheFlyingCamera · Jun 29, 2016

As to the lens, it's a Turner-Reich triple convertible. Guessing from the shutter, it's a 1930s (maybe even older) lens. The triple convertible means that you can use both lens cells together, or just the front or rear lens cell alone, and have three different focal lengths with one set of glass. Used singly, the image quality will not be as good as the two cells together. The lens appears to be in pretty good condition cosmetically, and there appears to be no separation of the balsam holding the lens elements together, which is a common problem with Turner-Reich triple convertibles of this era.

Kilgallb · Jul 2, 2016

If you use it with a 90 mm lens get a recessed lens board. I tried a normal lens board and found that tilt was restricted as the front and rear standards interfered with each other.

Ronald Moravec · Jul 3, 2016

90 mm lens with 400 is a pain. Bellows is compressed so far, no movement is possible. Recessed board is some help, but not enough.

Ended up buying a Zone 6 with standard and bag bellows. My six lenses from 90 to 300 all work well.

The case for 400 is around 10x10 and 20" long. Pain to carry for field work.

Conclusion, 400 is fine for studio, get a field camera to carry.

M Carter · Jul 3, 2016

It seems the later entry-level Calumet/cambo (Same camera, different knobs) are easily found out there. (Not quite entry level, they made one - I think the "Cadet" - that was very basic, aimed at students and had a colored bellows?)

The common ones have a square tube rail with friction focusing. No geared movements, but full movements, clip-out bellows, and a rotating back. Not super-lightweight, but a solid workhorse. I believe they also made a rail extension and a bellows extension for that model?

I made a big chunk of my living in the 90's shooting jewelry and apparel with mine and still have it... hope to get a 4x5 enlarger before fall and set her up again.

eddie · Jul 3, 2016

Ronald Moravec said:
The case for 400 is around 10x10 and 20" long. Pain to carry for field work.

My first view camera was the Kodak version ( about 35 years ago). It had that case, and I did lug it around for field work. I think I still have dented shins from those days...

M Carter · Jul 7, 2016

I've got the big grey calumet/cambo case... it's like a steamer trunk. But it got the job done. There were more modern cases that were smaller, but you had to disassemble the whole mess, standards, rail, bellows... no fun.

Dan Fromm · Jul 7, 2016

M Carter said:
It seems the later entry-level Calumet/cambo (Same camera, different knobs) are easily found out there.

M., I've had a Calumet CC-401, have several Cambo SCs (2x3, 4x5). The CC-40x and the Cambos, even though some were sold with a Calumet badge, are absolutely positively not the same cameras. The CC-40x series is essentially the 4x5 Kodak Master View, has fixed bellows and a rotating bail back. The SC and derivatives is a modern modular view camera with removable bellows and a choice of bail and Graflok backs. Reversible back was standard, rotating an option.

M Carter · Jul 8, 2016

Dan Fromm said:
M., I've had a Calumet CC-401, have several Cambo SCs (2x3, 4x5). The CC-40x and the Cambos, even though some were sold with a Calumet badge, are absolutely positively not the same cameras. The CC-40x series is essentially the 4x5 Kodak Master View, has fixed bellows and a rotating bail back. The SC and derivatives is a modern modular view camera with removable bellows and a choice of bail and Graflok backs. Reversible back was standard, rotating an option.

I've seen my model - I'm thinking of the SC family - badged as Cambo and Calumet. I've fiddled with them and the only difference I saw was the Cambo knobs looks more "high tech/modern". I always assumed that one company purchase the other or something.

Had a friend with an 8x10 Cambo which was like the same camera on steroids, even seemed like the same rail. No geared movements, etc. He was shooting all the beverage shots for Chili's menus and POP, Jewelry for top-of-market retailers, VERY high day rate, but never felt he needed the geared movements and stuck with the basic model. And his shots were jaw-dropping stuff. I always dug it that he wasn't a crazy gear hound. He just used basic packs and heads and a couple mole 1k's but did ass-kicking work.

Ko.Fe. · Jul 8, 2016

Great and heavy camera. Perfect for indoor use and almost nothing to broke if in the backpack. From my user expirience.
It will outlast made from wood ones.

4 x 5 CALUMET

CMoore

Dennis S

Konical

CMoore

Kirks518

bdial

mgb74

Dennis S

gone

wilper

narsuitus

Alan Gales

Rich Ullsmith

TheFlyingCamera

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TheFlyingCamera

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Kilgallb

Ronald Moravec

M Carter

eddie

M Carter

Dan Fromm

M Carter

Ko.Fe.

4 x 5 CALUMET

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