Gandolfi Whole Plate Camera

[sharpnikkor]

I just got this Gandolfi Whole Plate camera and need some help with identifying the model and the approximate age.

This model has black paint and nickel chromed hardware. It has the ivory colored Gandolfi label. The screws on the base are all aligned perfectly, the screws for the rest of the camera hardware are not. Looks like the leather handle and hardware are not original. It has a 5 x 7 back that has matching black paint and chrome hardware. The 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 back is missing. Weight with no lens or lens board is 7.75 lbs.

Playing around with the camera it looks like the rear focus knob has a tension/tightening knob on the opposite side. For the front focus knob I don't see any tightening knob on the opposite side. Was there a way to tighten that knob once you cranked the front bed out to the position you wanted it?

Issues: The bellows will need replacing at some point, the camera does not like to shut all the way into its clam-shell configuration. And the front focus knob shaft is bent. Trying to turn that knob has become increasing difficult and it is binding, making it impossible to crank the front bed out. That is the main issue on this camera.

I just posted information on my Seneca whole plate camera in another post. Any information on this Gandolfi whole plate camera would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[whlogan]

Wow! What a beauty! Wish I could help with the unit but I don't know much about them, but my Pal Al Weber just might be the guy you want to ask.... I don't seem to have Al's email address... google him and he'll pop right up for you

Logan

 

[Michael Meacham]

Scott, sometimes knobs like that lock by either pushing in or pulling out. This one doesn't look like it can go it, but you can try pulling it out. Does it have an actual gear or is it a splined shaft?

 

[karl]

Mind you, it's been a long 10 years since I last owned a Gandolfi (actually two.) I seem to recall that there was no focus lock on the front focus. None needed. Are you detaching the front standard and laying it down on the bed of the camera before you try to fold it up?

Lovely cameras. I was tempted by this one as well.

 

[sharpnikkor]

I appreciate the responses so far.

Logan, I just emailed Al Weber and look forward to his response.

Michael, I checked the front knob and the shaft and it doesn't pull out or push in. And no inner knob as on a Korona View that tightens the outer knob.

Karl, I think you are right, there is no tightening knob for the front focus knob. I did figure out right way that the front standard detaches and lays down before you close the camera up. A little of a design departure from other wooden view cameras. I like the feature of being able to step the bottom of the front standard in two different locations. I assume those two step positions are for normal and longer lens use? (See photos below). The hardware and back and forward positions of standard showing the two different stepped positions.

 

[Ole]

Black Gandolfis were often "government issue", they had a large contract for various goverment divisions, all black. The more common "luxury edition" was made in Honduras mahogany, beautifully varnished.

This is the model called "Precision", which was renamed to "Traditional" when the Gandolfi brothers resigned.

There are some pictures of my 7x5" "precision" Dead Link Removed

 

[sharpnikkor]

Thank you Ole for the information. Your explanation that they were often "government issue" is the only one I've seen on the Black Gandolfi versions.

 

[Peter Schrager]

you can send it richard ritter and get the new bellows put on and he'll either fix the knob or make you a new one
doesn't get better than that!
best,peter

 

[sharpnikkor]

Thanks Peter for the suggestion on Richard Ritter. I may just contact him.

 

[Ternero]

Hello all,

I have just got the same Gandolfi Whole Plate Camera than sharpnikkor, but no the black model, and thanks to this post I could found very valuable information. Regarding with those two step positions at the front, I was wondering if they could be used as well to, somehow, till horizontally the front panel, or may be there is a lack of these movements in this model?. Any information will be very appreciate.
Thanks
Javier

 

[sharpnikkor]

Anyone have any comment or information on the two step position for the bottom of the Gandolfi front standard? It looks like this feature is on the older "Precision" 4 x 5, 5 x 7 and 8 x 10 models as well.