Calumet 4x5 cameras

[dickie vaara]

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

 

[dickie vaara]

Correction to my last post here....the name Calumet is of course on the lens board, NOT the front standard. Sorry.

 

[Nick Zentena]

I don't remember what's on the book.

http://www.cameraeccentric.com/html/info/calumetc/calumetc.html

Camera eccentric has a catalog on line. If it's a 400 series the length of the bellows will tell you the model. If it's newer then that then it might be a Cambo.

 

[Konical]

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]

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 Before it was superseded by more complex and feature-full cameras, the camera was known as some variant of the Cambo "SC."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.

 

[dickie vaara]

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.

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

 

[davekarp]

You are welcome.