Galvin View Camera lens question

[Koller01]

I Have a question for view camera users. Recently, I was given essentially an entire darkroom set up by a family friend who was cleaning out a storage area. Among many other treasures (in a bowling ball case) was a Galvin 6x9 view camera with a 10.5 cm 4.5 Schneider Xenar lens, as well as three fidelity film holders.

Now, the other day I finally got around to trying it out. I shot three frames of a Church steeple nearby. I had to use indirect Rise to get the entire steeple in the Frame. When focusing on the Ground glass I could not get the top of the steeple (cross) into focus, Every thing else was crisp and aligned nicely. I figured OK I’m out here, so I stopped the lens down to 22 thinking maybe this might help. When I developed the film everything else turned out great, But the cross on top is blurry, and almost double exposed looking. Is this a problem of lens coverage? Does any one know What lenses in what lengths would be good on this Camera? If possible I would want to use them down the road possibly on 4x5 or 5x7 as well. I have found only a little information about this camera online and am interested in more film holders (not sure where to find them), possibly a horseman or rb roll back( however I like the sheet film), and replacing the ground glass. Any help on any of this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Matthew

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Yes, this is a problem of lens coverage, and it's particular to Xenars, Tessars, and other lenses of the same design, which usually have a larger circle of illumination than the circle of good definition. I've had exactly the same problem photographing a church with a 150mm Xenar on 4x5". One alternative would have been to use a 210mm lens, but that would have required standing in traffic. Now I usually bring a 168mm ser. iii Dagor along (covers 8x10") when I think I might need a normal lens with huge coverage for 4x5".

I don't know what the physical constraints are on the Galvin in terms of lensboard size and the opening on the front standard, but the easiest solution would be to use a 90mm lens for 4x5" like a Super-Angulon when you need wide coverage, since there are many lenses of that type easily available in a wide range of prices.

 

[Koller01]

Thank you, I had a feeling this was the case, but was not sure. The density in the sky looks rather even and may have only slight viginetting. This was rather puzzling to me, being my first time using a view camera. I am going to keep my eyes open for a 90 mm Super Angulon lens. any Ideas where to find these film holders?

 

[williamtheis]

The Galvin has a HUGE lensboard and you can put just about anything on it. Remember that the longer the focal length, the greater the image circle (it being designed for a larger piece of film) so the tessar formula like the 150mm Xenar will work just fine for the 2x3 of the Galvin. when you get to "normal", I use a 100mm Symmar (70 degree image circle) and for a wide angle a 58mm Grandagon (I got it off a Graplex XL).

as to holders, recommend you use Graflex RH8 rollholders that use 120 rollfilm. there is also a 220 version. You need the ones designed for 2x3 not with the larger 4x5 adapter plate. Greatest thing about the Galvin in the back does NOT have to be removed and will spring open to accomodate the rollholder... the sweetest thing about the Galvin! If you need help with this let me know

 

[williamtheis]

there are lots of the graflex rollholders on ebay. like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Graflex-RH-10-Roll-film-Holder-6x9-for-2x3-Baby-Graflex_W0QQitemZ220582680326QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item335bc09706

but not like this one which is for 4x5

http://cgi.ebay.com/Graflex-120-Roll-Holder-for-4x5-make-8-2-1-4x3-1-4_W0QQitemZ120552369783QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Cameras?hash=item1c117b2e77