I got this camera on an insanely good deal here on LFF. I definitely bought it with the intention of using it. But it's been sitting here for the entire time gathering dust. The camera doesn't really fit me or vice versa. It's a little fiddly for me, and I don't hike much. I wanted a monorail camera, but one that I could really play with the movements on. This one has more movements than any other camera I have, but I think for learning about movements, it's not ideal.
That said, it's a really awesome little piece of equipment. Despite it being a bit fiddly, it locks down really tight. There's a machined knob on the focusing track that is super smooth. The bellows look to be in great shape. It has a frigin awesome cambo back that I was thinking of hacking off and using for another project before I realized it would be sacrilege. It packs down to basically nothing...a little bigger than a few film holders stacked up.
It needs a lens board but it would be extremely simple to make one, it's just a square opening.
I'm interested in trading this more than selling it. Things I'm interested in right now are a decent 5x7 monorail camera (or modern field Toyo or Deardorff) or a premo spot meter. Also a 240mm to 300mm lens that will cover 5x7. If you have a really high end 5x7 camera and would be interested in trading this camera and my restored Kodak no.33 5x7 field camera, I'd definitely consider that too. Here's the 5x7:
The Eastman is a great camera. I'm looking for something with more movements, but it's a super fun, lightweight camera that backpacks really nicely. It has new bellows via Sorin. The only slight issue with it is a little hickup in the focusing gears when you jump between the hinge on the rail. It's not a big deal, I can easily get it back into place and then you are good to go (i.e. you only have to do it once when you unfold the camera). I think it would be easily fixed, the gears come out easily. I just got used to it. It's totally restored (by me) and ready to go.
Sorry for babbling. Let me know if you have any questions. Honestly for the price I paid for the camera, I'd just hold onto it because there's definitely a chance I'd get into it at some point. But I'd rather pass it along to someone who wants to make use of it and get some of the stuff I need in return. I'm pretty poor at the moment so can't give it away.
Here's a picture of the Gowland:
More pictures are here
That said, it's a really awesome little piece of equipment. Despite it being a bit fiddly, it locks down really tight. There's a machined knob on the focusing track that is super smooth. The bellows look to be in great shape. It has a frigin awesome cambo back that I was thinking of hacking off and using for another project before I realized it would be sacrilege. It packs down to basically nothing...a little bigger than a few film holders stacked up.
It needs a lens board but it would be extremely simple to make one, it's just a square opening.
I'm interested in trading this more than selling it. Things I'm interested in right now are a decent 5x7 monorail camera (or modern field Toyo or Deardorff) or a premo spot meter. Also a 240mm to 300mm lens that will cover 5x7. If you have a really high end 5x7 camera and would be interested in trading this camera and my restored Kodak no.33 5x7 field camera, I'd definitely consider that too. Here's the 5x7:
The Eastman is a great camera. I'm looking for something with more movements, but it's a super fun, lightweight camera that backpacks really nicely. It has new bellows via Sorin. The only slight issue with it is a little hickup in the focusing gears when you jump between the hinge on the rail. It's not a big deal, I can easily get it back into place and then you are good to go (i.e. you only have to do it once when you unfold the camera). I think it would be easily fixed, the gears come out easily. I just got used to it. It's totally restored (by me) and ready to go.
Sorry for babbling. Let me know if you have any questions. Honestly for the price I paid for the camera, I'd just hold onto it because there's definitely a chance I'd get into it at some point. But I'd rather pass it along to someone who wants to make use of it and get some of the stuff I need in return. I'm pretty poor at the moment so can't give it away.
Here's a picture of the Gowland:
More pictures are here