Agfa 5x7 camera

krisb1981 · Apr 19, 2013

Howdy,
I am eyeing a nice looking Agfa 5x7 camera that seems to be a good condition, but before I jump in it I would like to reach some info from the gurus here. This camera comes without a lens or film holder, so how easy is it to get a decent lens for this camera (barrel lens) and a wet plate back? I want to start getting some stuff together as I plan to dabble into some colodion goodnes.

Thank you all.

krisb1981 · Apr 19, 2013

Agfa Ansco 5x7" I mean.

AgX · Apr 19, 2013

Thank you for clarification. I did not think about Ansco.

Ian Grant · Apr 19, 2013

Lenses are easy, film holders OK but beginning to getting harder to find.

They can be marked just Agfa, my 10x8 Commercial View's name plate is but my older 10x8 says Agfa Ansco. Try and get one with front tilt, without the camears are a bit limiting.

Ian

premortho · Apr 19, 2013

Ansco-Agfa 5X7

Ian Grant said:
Lenses are easy, film holders OK but beginning to getting harder to find.

They can be marked just Agfa, my 10x8 Commercial View's name plate is but my older 10x8 says Agfa Ansco. Try and get one with front tilt, without the camears are a bit limiting.

Ian

Within their limitations, (no front tilt) these are arguably the best 5X7's ever made. Certainly the toughest. I had one from 1953 until it was stolen in 2007. I've never had one in 8X10, but wish I did.

Shootar401 · Apr 19, 2013

premortho said:
Within their limitations, (no front tilt) these are arguably the best 5X7's ever made. Certainly the toughest. I had one from 1953 until it was stolen in 2007. I've never had one in 8X10, but wish I did.

Both of my AGFA/Ansco 5x7's have front tilt. I don't know what model you have but mine has all movements except rear rise and fall. I have around 40 5x7 holders, but only use around 5 at a time. Some, but not all lenses for 4x5 can be used on a 5x7 with limited movements.

premortho · Apr 20, 2013

I have a pre- WW II Commercial view. I think the tilt feature was added after the war

Ian Grant · Apr 21, 2013

premortho said:
I have a pre- WW II Commercial view. I think the tilt feature was added after the war

No tilt and slightly shorter bellows extension means it's a Universal View not a Commercial View - and they were made before WWII. The cameras made after the US joined WWII were different, all camera production ceased at Bingham and the factory made equipment for the military, the LF cameras were made somewhere else and the design and hardware changed slightly.

Ian

Agfa 5x7 camera

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