Identifying 10x8 to Half plate (7x5) reducing back.

Ian Grant · Jun 10, 2020

I bought a reducing back on spec off ebay for £10 ($12.5) missing springs and glass fittings.

Is it a Kodak back it has locating pins at the corners ? As it's a Half plate GG screeen Internationalfit back it's British made, however Kodak Ltd field cameras are near ideintical to the Eastman Kodak models.

So two pins either side of each corner is that the usual Kodak fit ?

nosmok · Jun 16, 2020

That is true for the Kodak backs I have, and yours certainly looks Kodak-y. IIRC it should be around 12-1/2" (33cm) square (or a skosh bigger) if it's for a Kodak #2 or #2 Improved; slightly smaller for a 2D. The pre-2D cameras had a 7x11in option that the 2D lacked.

Ian Grant · Jun 16, 2020

It's 296mm square, with the pins removed it'll fit my Agfa Ansco Commercial or Uninversal View cameras. It's probably a 2D back then as they were made here in the UK. Thanks.

Ian

awty · Jun 16, 2020

I found something similar on a Thornton Pickard Superbe-Victo, but different. Are these common on half plate cameras?
I want to make a reducing back for my 24 x 30 to take Thornton half plate holders and working on my options.

Ian Grant · Jun 17, 2020

Paul, Houghton made the Victo-Superbe and it had a book form back, I have Quarter plate and Whole plate Victo's as well as a Half plate Houghton Duchess. Someone has adapted a sping back to fit your camera replacing the original ground glass frame.

This is a typical book form back:

It's an unknown make camera I restored for someone 3 years ago,

I guess you have a TP shutter fitted to the front, these were often sold with Houghton field cameras. I fitted one on the camera above.

The spring back you vae should slide out unless glued or screwed in place and would be easy to attach to another camera, if larger format it needs raising slightly or it's impossible to fit and remove the film/plate holders.

Ian

awty · Jun 17, 2020

Thanks Ian
Its not mine, but one I was thinking of buying if I can get it at the right price, looks pretty sad, but complete (terrible photos). Was described as a Thornton and looks like the emblem is on the side like the drawing in the last picture you put up. Havent seen a spring back fitted to an old plate camera before, looks nifty and should be a little easier than swinging the book form ground glass out the way.
Just confirming the spring back will take a thornton plate holder? I have some half plate Premo holders with the film inserts as well, wonder if they will fit the spring back?

Main objective is to be able to use the thornton holders for 4x5 tintypes. I could use my 24x30 camera (which I Can use 8x10 tintypes in the plate holder), but a little half plate camera might come in handy.

Ian Grant · Jun 18, 2020

Paul, I can tell you easier, simpler, ways to make adapters that don'y affect the integrity of the original cameras. I've made adapters that slide in as a book form holder would, so you focus with the original ground glass screen. I assume that larger camera is a Reisekamera, particularly as it's 24x30.

Ian

awty · Jun 18, 2020

Ian Grant said:
Paul, I can tell you easier, simpler, ways to make adapters that don'y affect the integrity of the original cameras. I've made adapters that slide in as a book form holder would, so you focus with the original ground glass screen. I assume that larger camera is a Reisekamera, particularly as it's 24x30.

Ian

Yup.
E. vom WERTH & Co
Frankfurt.
I just hacked together a reducing back this afternoon. https://www.photrio.com/forum/threa...nd-creations-here-please-part-2.89559/page-10
So it is made just like the plate holder and slides in.

awty · Jul 9, 2020

Ian Grant said:
Paul, Houghton made the Victo-Superbe and it had a book form back, I have Quarter plate and Whole plate Victo's as well as a Half plate Houghton Duchess. Someone has adapted a sping back to fit your camera replacing the original ground glass frame.

This is a typical book form back:

It's an unknown make camera I restored for someone 3 years ago,

I guess you have a TP shutter fitted to the front, these were often sold with Houghton field cameras. I fitted one on the camera above.

The spring back you vae should slide out unless glued or screwed in place and would be easy to attach to another camera, if larger format it needs raising slightly or it's impossible to fit and remove the film/plate holders.

Ian

Hi Ian, bought the camera, has a good thick layer of dust, but mostly complete. The spring back is home made and is for 4x5 film holder and is nailed in place!!, should be able to remove it and either return to half plate or make a better 4x5, will think about it. Has a steel plate for modern tripod, looks well made. Bellows have some tears, but nothing I cant fix. Shutter curtains are ripped, might try and replace (any tips?). The old Ross 7" f7.7 lens is in pretty good shape. Cameras very light, would make a great touring camera.

Ian Grant · Jul 9, 2020

Paul, I'll see if or what half plate backs I have in my garage over the next few days. For a better 5x4 back you could look out for a Graflex spring or Graflok back for a Pacemaker Speed/Crown graphic but they are getting expensive. I've picked up De Vere 5x4 backs of copy cameras cheap in the past they are quite easy to adapt.

Ian

awty · Jul 9, 2020

Ian Grant said:
Paul, I'll see if or what half plate backs I have in my garage over the next few days. For a better 5x4 back you could look out for a Graflex spring or Graflok back for a Pacemaker Speed/Crown graphic but they are getting expensive. I've picked up De Vere 5x4 backs of copy cameras cheap in the past they are quite easy to adapt.

Ian

Hi Ian, thanks for the reply. I will be able remove the homemade 4x5 adaptor and reuse the existing quarter plate back. I have a quarter plate swinging ground glass as in post #6, so have all thats needed. Will rebuild the 4x5 adaptor so its removable. Looks like it will work ok. Already have a few 4x5's, but like the lightness of this one.
The bigger issue is replacing the shutter curtains hope they are less painful to bo than the curtains on a barnak.
I enjoy fixing up old cameras, good for the brain.

Ian Grant · Jul 10, 2020

The shutter curtain is easy, I restore TP shutters regularly, I have about 30 to do at the moment.

Ian

awty · Jul 11, 2020

Ian Grant said:
The shutter curtain is easy, I restore TP shutters regularly, I have about 30 to do at the moment.

Ian

Do you happen to know the length of the curtains and ribon? Mine have deteriorated to dust.
Does the thickness mater greatly?
Cant get hold of any proper shutter curtain at the moment.

Ian Grant · Jul 11, 2020

I could send you some curtain material, it needs to be thicker than what's used for 35mm and 120 SLR? Rangefinder shutters. The TP shutters are cut from one piece of material they don't use ribbons so the material has to be dimensionally stable in other words doesn't stretch. Alternately I could just as easily make the curtain if you give me the measurements of the casing.

I always make the curtains a little bit too long then cut to fit the top roller first, it's fairly straight forward.

Ian

awty · Jul 11, 2020

Ian Grant said:
I could send you some curtain material, it needs to be thicker than what's used for 35mm and 120 SLR? Rangefinder shutters. The TP shutters are cut from one piece of material they don't use ribbons so the material has to be dimensionally stable in other words doesn't stretch. Alternately I could just as easily make the curtain if you give me the measurements of the casing.

I always make the curtains a little bit too long then cut to fit the top roller first, it's fairly straight forward.

Ian

Thanks Ian that would be much appreciated, less chance of failure. I spent some of yesterday making some strips for the ballows to cover the tears, had some nice thinish faux leather. Once I completed it found the camera wont shut completely...damn. think I will leave it, too much hassle to remove and redo. Camera isn't in museum piece quality and I want it for using.
I will make a lens board adaptor to take linhof type boards, so no rush on the curtains, postage from OS is super slow any how at the moment.
Im also pulled apart the back and will remake to take my Thornton plate holders. Then it will be useable and I can make some pictures.
I will PM to discuss payment and postage, thanks again.
2 1/4"

2 1/2" between rollers centre to centre
Hole is 1 3/4 diameter.

Ian Grant · Jul 12, 2020

That's not the original shutter curtain, it's been replaced before. It'll be a few days before I can get to my shutter materials, I'm converting a shed for my wife as a reading room all the stuff I had stored in it is in the way and needs sorting and storing so I can get space in my garage workshop

Ian

awty · Jul 17, 2020

Ian Grant said:
That's not the original shutter curtain, it's been replaced before. It'll be a few days before I can get to my shutter materials, I'm converting a shed for my wife as a reading room all the stuff I had stored in it is in the way and needs sorting and storing so I can get space in my garage workshop

Ian

What is it with wives and reading rooms displacing important camera stuff! Ha, my wife is doing the same a library/sewing/reading/craft etc rooms and all I get is one pokey little room and just a few square meters at the back of the garage, not fair I tells ya. Happy wife happy life....apparently.
Theres no rush. I made a lens board holder to take shutter lenses and made a half plate film holder with swing away ground glass. Think I found all the light leaks and will do a film test soon.
These are great cameras, so much lighter than my metal 4x5's.
Im missing one of the bolts on the rise and fall bracket, like the one on the photo above, do you know what size? I assume its 1/8th, m3 seems to be close but not correct.
Thanks again.

awty · Apr 15, 2021

Hi @Ian Grant do you know what thread these cameras used?
Im missing a rise thumb nut, but cant find what thread it is. Doesnt seem to be whitworth. Its 1/8th.

Ian Grant · Apr 15, 2021

Threads aren't particularyy standardised, I can measure the threads on one of mine when I get time, I have a thread guage in my tool boxes.

Ian

awty · Apr 15, 2021

Ian Grant said:
Threads aren't particularyy standardised, I can measure the threads on one of mine when I get time, I have a thread guage in my tool boxes.

Ian

Hi Ian, don't go to too much trouble, you have a lot on your plate. Thought you might know from the top of your head.
Ive ordered some new bellows and want to get the camera up and running again. They are such a great little camera, so light and versatile, will make a great field camera.

Identifying 10x8 to Half plate (7x5) reducing back.

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