Burke & James Help

[Fotoguy20d]

So, I just won this at auction. I've wanted one for a while - my rationale (does it make sense?):

- it's backpackable where my GVII monorail is not
-it has more movements than a Speed Graphic

Is there any difference in behavior in terms of rear movements vs the front movements I use with my Graflex cameras?

What exactly did I just buy? Is this a 5x7 or 4x5? Looks to me like it's a 5x7 with a 4x5 reducing back (and maybe a 4x5 Graflok?) How does the bed extension drop into place? Is it just useful with very long lenses (since my longest lens is 203mm would I ever need it)? What's the purpose of the slide on the bottom of the front standard?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[photomc]

From the photos, it does look like a 5x7, with a 4x5 back - have one like it, except mine has the original red bellows. Your 203mm should work fine - normal lens for 5x7 would be 190mm to 210mm. The back on the camera in the 2nd photo does indeed look like a Graflok but I have not used one so can not confirm for sure...others here will be able to help.

Congratulations, it is a good user camera - have fun with it.

 

[bennoj]

I agree it appears to be a 5x7 with a 4x5 reducing back with a Graflok back. It appears to be a B&J Commercial View camera (I have a 5x7 and 2 8x10s). The bed extension should have a screw that attaches it to the main bed (I think I see it in the second picture), you just put the two pieces up against each other and screw them together. The bed extension is not good just for long lenses at infinity focus, but for macro and close-up shots when you need to extend the bellows for magnification.

The slide on the bottom of the front standard is for front shift movements (sliding side to side), and the lock that slides downwards will allow front swing movements (turning side to side). The great thing about the B&J Commercial View is that it has all the movements you could ever want.

 

[DannL]

Specifics . . .

http://cameraeccentric.com/img/info/bj_1/bj_1_06.jpg


I have the 4x5.

 

[k_jupiter]

Doesn't look like a Commercial View. Looks like a 5x7 Watson. Nice camera, I have one. You might have to fiddle with the rear extension to get the gearing correct between the two pieces. All other info is correct, the knob in the middle of the front standard is for shift, the sliding stop on the front of the standard slides down and lets you do swings. The back has all movements also, but the lockdown on swing and shift is a little flaky.

It does make up into a nice compact package, but is a bit heavy.

tim in san jose

 

[John Kasaian]

What tim in san jose says Find a 5x7 back for it and a whole new world of contact printing and alternative processes will have opened up for you---enjoy!

 

[Fotoguy20d]

Find a 5x7 back for it and a whole new world of contact printing and alternative processes will have opened up for you---enjoy!

I'm pretty sure it's already got a 5x7 back as well as 4x5 reducing back. And I'm just getting up to speed with 4x5...

 

[uwphotoer]

I have the same camera here, with both back and a sliding back to make 2 exposures on one 5x7 sheet......

 

[uwphotoer]

What tim in san jose says Find a 5x7 back for it and a whole new world of contact printing and alternative processes will have opened up for you---enjoy!

Contact printing, heck i have a 5x7 enlarger....... lol

 

[JBrunner]

I'm pretty sure it's already got a 5x7 back as well as 4x5 reducing back. And I'm just getting up to speed with 4x5...

In many ways you may find the larger format easier to work with. Alt process has a learning curve, but is more forgiving in certain respects. In the APUG articles section I wrote a little bit on toned cyanotype. An inexpensive and easy way to begin to dabble with alt process. 5x7 composes in a very nice way, as well. Congrats!