How to get an instant film, roll film or other backs, and bigger lenses on your Busch or Meridian without modification:
Sorry for the long post, but I had researched this a lot and never found info. Wanted to share...
A few years ago when I belatedly decided to play in the world of large format a bit I went on the hunt for a camera and accoutrement. I knew I wanted a press or technical camera and researched all those out there. The first one I lit upon was a Busch Pressman Model D with the Vue Focus rangefinder.
What a beautiful camera! I chose it for the better-than-Graflex movements, the finish quality and a rangefinder style that made sense to this Leica shooter. Mine is a peach.
Later I finally found an appealing Meridian 45B with all the movements I wanted, and got that too. Its a gorgeous camera with art-deco touches. And common lens boards fit.
The weaknesses with the Busch are the smallish lens boards, the lack of a universal (Graflok) back, the lack of linked inner rails and the view-obstructing leather focus hood. Otherwise Its a perfect press camera for the modern age. But those very disadvantages are advantages in other ways. The small front standard helps allow bigger movements, and the revolving back adds much versatility.
For me the lens boards are a non-issue with this camera. I use longer, bigger lenses on the Meridian. The Busch loves to be handheld and rangefinder focused as well as with the ground glass under a full hood. But the trick to putting a bigger lens on it would be to quickly remove the ground glass back and thread the rear element in from behind. Though in these forums Ive seen that mentioned, a description of exactly how is elusive.
To remove the ground glass from the Busch, first lift one edge of the spring back and feel under the metal levers for the notch that disconnects them from the back. There are little keyhole slots on the inside of those spring levers that let the nail-head pins on the spring back loose. One at a time, you can gently slip the levers off of the pins. Start on one end, then slide the looser back so the slots dont reengage, then release the other side.
The Meridians disadvantage is also a lack of a universal (Graflok) back. Id hate to hack it apart to figure out how to put a Graphic or Linhof back on it, and buying a good Linhof is financially unjustifiable for what amounts to fairly rare professional use of 4X5. But I want to get instant film backs on it (as well as others). To do that you can remove the ground glass and use the springs to hold another back in place.
Removing the ground glass from the Meridian is a touch simpler than the Busch. On the end in which you slide the film holders, just lift the ends of the springs with your fingers. Youll notice the hooked end of the springs on that side dont hold the ground glass backs pins when the back is seated against the camera body.
With the springs gently lifted away, use your other hand to push the ground glass back toward its tabbed end so the pins on the other side slip loose of the hooked end of the springs. On my camera one of those hooked ends is crimped just a bit for a tighter hold so it takes gentle force to get it to pop loose. The back should slide to the (right) side, its pins slipping outside the spring hooks. Then you can lift the other (left) side springs and free both ends.
This was not really meant for regular use on either camera just the occasional cleaning of the camera so be gentle and do this as needed.
With that spring back off you can then easily mount the rear element of a lens that wont fit through the front standard or use alternate film and digital backs on the camera.
To use another back instant film, roll film, digital you would first want to focus and compose the image on the ground glass. With the camera very securely bolted onto a sturdy tripod, remove the back as above. Place the Fuji/Polaroid/roll film back on the camera and then slip two lengths of precut wire (I use coat hanger wire) under the springs or spring levers and into their slots to hold the back in place.
Yes, its somewhat clunky, inelegant and much slower than a Graflok back would be. But it works. Ive done it for Polaroid 405, 545, 550 and Fuji PA-145 and PA-45 instant sheet and pack film backs, a Graflex 23 roll film holder and even a digital camera adapter from Fotodiox.
Roll film backs, like the Singer/Graflex, Horseman, Super Rollex, may need custom-bent coat hanger wire to fit the Busch well. I just used strong rubber bands so they would flex around convenient parts of the Graflex back I used. The Meridian springs are set widely enough apart to work with straight wire bars on those backs.
For a couple years Ive considered selling my three press/technical cameras (Busch, Meridian and Pacemaker 23 Speed Graphic) and getting an all-in-one Linhof. But I like these three cameras too much and cant justify a very expensive fourth. And if youre like me, its partly the challenge of the funky old gear that makes using it fun.
Hope this helps you present and future Pressman 4X5 owners...
If anyone else has any tricks to add for these cameras Id love to hear them!
Sorry for the long post, but I had researched this a lot and never found info. Wanted to share...
A few years ago when I belatedly decided to play in the world of large format a bit I went on the hunt for a camera and accoutrement. I knew I wanted a press or technical camera and researched all those out there. The first one I lit upon was a Busch Pressman Model D with the Vue Focus rangefinder.
What a beautiful camera! I chose it for the better-than-Graflex movements, the finish quality and a rangefinder style that made sense to this Leica shooter. Mine is a peach.
Later I finally found an appealing Meridian 45B with all the movements I wanted, and got that too. Its a gorgeous camera with art-deco touches. And common lens boards fit.
The weaknesses with the Busch are the smallish lens boards, the lack of a universal (Graflok) back, the lack of linked inner rails and the view-obstructing leather focus hood. Otherwise Its a perfect press camera for the modern age. But those very disadvantages are advantages in other ways. The small front standard helps allow bigger movements, and the revolving back adds much versatility.
For me the lens boards are a non-issue with this camera. I use longer, bigger lenses on the Meridian. The Busch loves to be handheld and rangefinder focused as well as with the ground glass under a full hood. But the trick to putting a bigger lens on it would be to quickly remove the ground glass back and thread the rear element in from behind. Though in these forums Ive seen that mentioned, a description of exactly how is elusive.
To remove the ground glass from the Busch, first lift one edge of the spring back and feel under the metal levers for the notch that disconnects them from the back. There are little keyhole slots on the inside of those spring levers that let the nail-head pins on the spring back loose. One at a time, you can gently slip the levers off of the pins. Start on one end, then slide the looser back so the slots dont reengage, then release the other side.
The Meridians disadvantage is also a lack of a universal (Graflok) back. Id hate to hack it apart to figure out how to put a Graphic or Linhof back on it, and buying a good Linhof is financially unjustifiable for what amounts to fairly rare professional use of 4X5. But I want to get instant film backs on it (as well as others). To do that you can remove the ground glass and use the springs to hold another back in place.
Removing the ground glass from the Meridian is a touch simpler than the Busch. On the end in which you slide the film holders, just lift the ends of the springs with your fingers. Youll notice the hooked end of the springs on that side dont hold the ground glass backs pins when the back is seated against the camera body.
With the springs gently lifted away, use your other hand to push the ground glass back toward its tabbed end so the pins on the other side slip loose of the hooked end of the springs. On my camera one of those hooked ends is crimped just a bit for a tighter hold so it takes gentle force to get it to pop loose. The back should slide to the (right) side, its pins slipping outside the spring hooks. Then you can lift the other (left) side springs and free both ends.
This was not really meant for regular use on either camera just the occasional cleaning of the camera so be gentle and do this as needed.
With that spring back off you can then easily mount the rear element of a lens that wont fit through the front standard or use alternate film and digital backs on the camera.
To use another back instant film, roll film, digital you would first want to focus and compose the image on the ground glass. With the camera very securely bolted onto a sturdy tripod, remove the back as above. Place the Fuji/Polaroid/roll film back on the camera and then slip two lengths of precut wire (I use coat hanger wire) under the springs or spring levers and into their slots to hold the back in place.
Yes, its somewhat clunky, inelegant and much slower than a Graflok back would be. But it works. Ive done it for Polaroid 405, 545, 550 and Fuji PA-145 and PA-45 instant sheet and pack film backs, a Graflex 23 roll film holder and even a digital camera adapter from Fotodiox.
Roll film backs, like the Singer/Graflex, Horseman, Super Rollex, may need custom-bent coat hanger wire to fit the Busch well. I just used strong rubber bands so they would flex around convenient parts of the Graflex back I used. The Meridian springs are set widely enough apart to work with straight wire bars on those backs.
For a couple years Ive considered selling my three press/technical cameras (Busch, Meridian and Pacemaker 23 Speed Graphic) and getting an all-in-one Linhof. But I like these three cameras too much and cant justify a very expensive fourth. And if youre like me, its partly the challenge of the funky old gear that makes using it fun.
Hope this helps you present and future Pressman 4X5 owners...
If anyone else has any tricks to add for these cameras Id love to hear them!