Calumet 4x5 cameras

dickie vaara

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Sep 23, 2006
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Location
Everett, WA
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Hello APUGers;

I have a Calumet 4x5 rail camera that I've owned for about a year now, and other than the name "Calumet" on the front standard, there are no other markings that indicate what model it is...( at least that I can see).

For comparison, it is identical to the one pictured on the cover of Steve Simmons' book, "Using the View Camera". Perhaps someone way more knowledgeable than myself can help me by properly identifying this model, and then sharing how can you tell? I've been over, under, sideways and down with this thing and can't find even a serial number.

Many thanks....

Richard Vaara
Everett, WA
vaararr@yahoo.com
 
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dickie vaara

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Sep 23, 2006
Messages
29
Location
Everett, WA
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Large Format
Correction to my last post here....the name Calumet is of course on the lens board, NOT the front standard. Sorry.
 

Konical

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Jun 1, 2003
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1,824
Good Afternoon, Richard,

If it's the venerable old model with a monorail of about 1/2 inch diameter, its probably a CC-400 (16 inch bellows). There's a longer 22 inch version (CC-401, if I recall correctly) and a wide-angle version (CC-403??). I don't have Steve's book, so I'm not sure which one is pictured there; a recent edition may have one of the newer Calumets which are similar to the Cambos.

Konical
 

davekarp

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Nov 19, 2004
Messages
111
Location
California
Format
4x5 Format
The photos of the camera in Simmons's book are of a Cambo camera. Cambo is now owned by Calumet. Before it was superseded by more complex and feature-full cameras, the camera was known as some variant of the Cambo "SC." It was a professional grade camera. Later, in the U.S., the name was changed to Calumet "45NX" or "45N." Depending on the features. In the rest of the world, it is still the Cambo SC. It is now directed at beginners and for those on a tight budget. In talking to the folks at Calumet, I learned that there were different feature sets in the SC over the years, and that it might have had different names, like SC, or SC45 over time as well. Generally, the only differences are things like mm scales on the monorail, calibrations on the standards, etc.

The difference between the 45N and 45NX were that the NX had a longer monorail, nicer knobs on the controls, and a revolving back. The most recent variation, 45NX-II lost the revolving back. I can't remember the other change(s). My memory is that they just degraded the NX.
 
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dickie vaara

Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2006
Messages
29
Location
Everett, WA
Format
Large Format




Thanks, Dave and other responders...I sure do appreciate your help. It would appear then, that I have the 45NX. It is loaded with calibrations (mm), both on the monorail itself, and for all movements....including horizontal and vertical bubble-levels. The knobs are nicely grooved for easier operation. In addition, the monorail is long, I think 22", and the camera does have the revolving back. It's in beautiful condition, with hardly a scratch on it, light-tight bellows, etc. Thanks again for all the help, guys.

Richard
 
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