I just picked up an even NEWER hobby

It's been quite some time since I got into 4x5 and punch drunk love is all I can say about it. I've had a great time learning and every outing is something new. I have yet to get really great shots, but certainly some keepers I love. However, today I went out for lunch and when I came back, an old client of ours dropped of a present "for Jody"



I know absolutely nothing about Speed Graphics and I'm already in love. They need some work and I will now be searching Apug for a whole new set of information. 3 for free. I'm giddy.

Jody

 

Thanks for the link John, Bookmarked.

I'm still at work so not too much learning so far except that I thought I had three Speed Graphics, but one seems to be a Meridian 45 and has a number etched in "B 2075" it has a Hugo Meyer range finder on it. Not that I know what that means. But it does have front standard shift.

 

Thanks,
Joe, I think the lenses o them are going to be usable once I clean them up 203mm on both cameras w/ range finders. The one w/ a curtain shutter is confusing right now, but w/ a little research I'm sure it will start to make since. It has a very sticky shutter, but I have a little bit of experience w/ fixing them because I have been working on TLR cameras lately. The frustration has been enough there that I really should have learned something by now.

Pupfish, Wow, these are some great and very specific links and I thank you. It is going to take some time to take it all in, but you make this camera sound like it could be a golden nugget dropped in my lap. The rear screw in pegs that hold the back tight are loose, but I had no idea that this feature meant it would allow rear standard movements. I don't know how I am going to sleep for the next few nights I am so excited about these. and to think the man that gave them to me was embarrassed because he thought they were junk. At the same time, he really didn't want me to just dump them and was kinda letting go of his babies. I am going to do what I can to restore these well enough to take some pictures. I can't vouch that the pictures will be great in themselves, but it will be fun and maybe I will inspire other to get back to basics of film.

I'm so excited. I feel like I am talking to myself though. Kinda "preaching to the choir" you know?

 

Quick, and first things first, Pupfish, Yes it has a Ektar f7.7 203mm in a Graphic name plate, synchro-compur shutter

I am unfamiliar w/ his lens, apparently, its a good thing?

 

DBP, I'm not sure what makes it a Anniversary, but maybe so. Like I say I know very little about these. And the one on the left does have a focal plane shutter equip w/ a Kodak Compur shutter and Kodak anastigmat f7.7 203mm.

 

No, I hadn't noticed that yet. It is a true Field camera isn't it? All three were apparently left open on a shelf for a number of years and dusty like crazy. I thought there might be an issue with oxidation, but, I'm not sure that is the case. it seems like it might just be dirty and paint chipping off. They came from an old orthodontist, so outdoor exposure should be minimal.

The Ektar seems to be in good shape, but dusty.

 

Yeah, I have cleaned a lot of shutters with isopropyl alcohol and Naptha. Last time I cleaned bellows with the alcohol I questioned myself because I was afraid it would further dry them out. I started a thread about the subject, but it really turned out to be more for after care than cleaning. It's here http://www.apug.org/forums/forum147/56694-care-cleaning-old-bellows.html Some time last week I can across a thread about Agfa/Ansco cameras and there a user posted he uses 50% ammonia, 50% peroxide as a cleaning solution. I think I may give that a try. I'm a little nervous about getting into them, but I have to start somewhere and this weekend will be a good one to do so.

 

So I started with the easiest one first and cleaned up the middle camera so I could test one out. This is by no means a restoration, just a little TLC so I could fire a couple off. The Lens is a Ilex - Calumet Series - S Caltar no.269 8 ½" (215mm) and the coating is pretty marred up so it is giving a soft look to everything. I'm a bit at a loss though because after looking around at some of the sites I am having trouble identifying this one. It seems to be "Anniversary" but every picture I see has a range finder, view finder and a low rear knob at the back (left side if you are looking @ the front of camera). There are no holes in the leather (it is leather because I removed the front door piece) around the four sides of this camera as though it is missing something. Just the two tripod inserts. Anyway, here are a couple of shots of it after the clean up and one quick shoot I took w/ it last night.

 

# 2 clean-up

Well, I went deep on the second camera I decided to start cleaning up. The Meridian on the right was probably the one that needed the most work, but I couldn't bring myself to start on the Speed Graphic on left because the focal plane shutter scared me. So, The Meridian got my attention and before I knew it, I was breaking it down for a full overhaul. I took this camera down to the frame piece by piece, wire brushed each part and the heads of screws, then painted all parts that had paint on them. My "New" look to this camera is probably going to get on some peoples nerves, but I wanted to make it my own when I started the project. At one point or another I questioned it, but I was just to far into it to change at that point. Overall, I am happy with it and very proud of myself for doing what I will consider a restoration, even if the leatherette is different. It took a long time to do and a lot of patience I was unaware that I possessed.

I still could use a small bit of help. I seem to be missing a small piece that fits into two small holes at the rear of the bed rails. It is were the actuator arm for the rangefinder should connect to the bed. In the speed graphic it is on a small wheel on the rear bed rails, but on the Meridian the rear rails and front rails are not connected to one another, so the arm comes out of the camera housing to this spot on the front rail. I have found no detailed pictures of this camera on the internet, so if you have one, all help is appreciated.

 

Absolutely Doug, I would love to be on the email list. I will shoot you my address in a PM. Thanks.