Calumet 45NX = Cambo SC?

[Kino]

Was the Calumet 45NX a rebadged Cambo SC?

Not much information online anymore about the Calumet line of cameras, other than a review on the Large Format forum.

Looks like they use many of the same parts and, perhaps, the extension rails are the same.

 

[BrianShaw]

I believe that is correct.

 

[Kino]

Very good.

Thank you!

 

[M Carter]

Was the Calumet 45NX a rebadged Cambo SC?

Not much information online anymore about the Calumet line of cameras, other than a review on the Large Format forum.

Looks like they use many of the same parts and, perhaps, the extension rails are the same.

I'm 99% sure you can just use aluminum square extruded pipe for a rail with the Calumet/Cambo monorails.

 

[Dan Fromm]

I'm 99% sure you can just use aluminum square extruded pipe for a rail with the Calumet/Cambo monorails.

Size 1010 (1" square) 80/20 brand t-slotted aluminum extrusion is inexpensive and works very well with Cambo rail riders.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Was the Calumet 45NX a rebadged Cambo SC?

Not much information online anymore about the Calumet line of cameras, other than a review on the Large Format forum.

Looks like they use many of the same parts and, perhaps, the extension rails are the same.

Have you visited cambo.com and looked around?

 

[Kino]

Size 1010 (1" square) 80/20 brand t-slotted aluminum extrusion is inexpensive and works very well with Cambo rail riders.

Good to know, I will explore this; thank you.

Have you visited cambo.com and looked around?

Yes, briefly. It has a few accessories for the SC line.

 

[BrianShaw]

The Calumet 45NX: a review

 

[Dan Fromm]

Yes, briefly. It has a few accessories for the SC line.

Manuals too.

 

[Kino]

The Calumet 45NX: a review

Many thanks.

Manuals too.

I'll have to dig deeper. Thank you.

I found a nice, very reasonable Calumet 45NX setup on Craigslist that had been stored for many years unused. The foam in the case had totally disintegrated and entombed the camera and accessories. Fortunately, everything cleaned-up nicely an no real damage from the foam.

Of course, being a completest, I started researching a lens compendium for the camera and this is at the root of my query.

Picked up a copy of Jim Stone's "A User Guide to the View Camera" and it luckily features this very camera.

Thanks to everyone who chimed-in, I now have enough information to confidently find one; it's all I need to finish off the set.

 

[AnselMortensen]

I had a 45NX back in the early-mid 1990's.
Nice camera, very intuitive to use.
The one thing that I'd warn you about is the slider on top of the front standard...
The center position locks the bellows and lens board in place.
Sliding the slider one way unlocks the lens board, sliding it the other way unlocks the bellows.
In the heat of battle (studio), it's REALLY easy for it to slide the wrong way at the 'wrongest' time...best case, you have to re-connect the bellows...worst case, the lens board falls off and crashes to the floor.
So...make sure the locking pin is secure, and maybe use some gaffer tape as a backup, in case a softbox (or something) bumps the locking pin.

 

[BrianShaw]

Excellent warning! May I extend that warning to the rear standard as well. My back, in the heat of a studio battle, became dislodged as I was rotating it, causing the back to dash to the floor shattering the GG. I have no idea how it happened but it did nonetheless.

 

[Kino]

So...make sure the locking pin is secure, and maybe use some gaffer tape as a backup, in case a softbox (or something) bumps the locking pin.

Excellent warning! May I extend that warning to the rear standard as well.

Thank you both for the warning; I've already had a mini episode myself!

When I went to detach the front of the bellows for cleaning, I pushed the clip the wrong way. Yikes! Luckily, I had it on a desk and caught the lens before it smacked the surface.

Definitely going to investigate 3D printing some black plastic clamps to fit on both ends to avoid both types of tragedy.

I agree, it's about the only obvious drawback to the camera I have seen.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Of course, being a completest, I started researching a lens compendium for the camera and this is at the root of my query.

You'll eventually find a compendium, they're around. When you find one, make sure that it is for a 4x5 standard (used on 4x5 and larger sizes SC). The 2x3er's mounting pins are closer together than the 4x5er's so a 2x3er can't be attached to a 4x5 standard. I have both sizes of standard and a 2x3 compendium.

 

[BrianShaw]

Easier than 3-d printing… ACCO paper clamps!

Also, regarding compendiums… there are two versions for the 4x5. The older one works but is a lot more fiddely to use than the newer one, which clamps on and flips up.

And since you are a completer… don’t forget the bag bellows and recessed lens board. You might be able to put that to good use with a 90 or shorter lens.

 

[Dan Fromm]

And since you are a completer… don’t forget the bag bellows and recessed lens board. You might be able to put that to good use with a 90 or shorter lens.

Bag bellows, yes. Recessed board, I'm not so sure. With no bellows, the rear standard reversed and the tripod mounting block in front of the front standard or behind the rear standard the front and rear function carriers can be brought into contact.

 

[BrianShaw]

Bag bellows, yes. Recessed board, I'm not so sure. With no bellows, the rear standard reversed and the tripod mounting block in front of the front standard or behind the rear standard the front and rear function carriers can be brought into contact.

Either way works, Dan. (You know that, though.) I find the recessed board just a bit less of a hassle even though there is some hassle with them also. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Chuck1]

With the rear standard reversed, you can only shoot vertical

 

[Dan Fromm]

With the rear standard reversed, you can only shoot vertical

Eh? Wot? Just turn the camera on its side.