Kodak Recomar 18 camera

[Jon Shumpert]

I was looking over a few folding cameras I have had for a while and started thinking about the possibility of taking some photos with an old Kodak Recomar camera I have. It uses 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 film. The lens surprisingly is in very good condition and the shutter speeds are not too terrible, unless you use slower ones. I found it at a yard sale years ago along with several film holders. It has a scale for focusing on the front lens standards, but I would prefer using the ground glass. The glass needs to be replaced because it was broken in several pieces and taped back together by a previous owner. Has anyone here ever used film of that size? Could 4x5 be cut down to fit? I still need to replace the ground glass before I even consider buying film.

 

[Kino]

Here's your film:
https://www.freestylephoto.biz/category/2-Film/Black-and-White-Film?attr[]=1-51

Here is how you cut the glass:


Here's how you grind it:


Or, if you just want to buy the replacement:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-1-4-x-4-...373715?hash=item3b2d8e5793:g:KT0AAOSwHoFXqini

 

[Jon Shumpert]

Thanks for the information. I will watch those videos.

 

[JPD]

Are you sure it isn't a Recomar 33 since it has a 135mm lens? The Recomar 18 is a 6,5 x 9 camera, and the 33 is a 9 x 12 camera.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Kodak_Recomar_33

 

[Jon Shumpert]

JPD, I think you are right. I looked it up again. Thanks for the info.

 

[JPD]

Many plate cameras have groundglasses made from the same size glass as the photographic plates. I bought plate holders for my Voigtländer cameras and some of them had glass plates in them. I removed the emulsions from them and ground them, and they fit the groundglass holders perfectly and look and work exactly the same as the originals. So grind a 9 x 12 plate. It should have the correct size and thickness and be perfectly optically flat. 600 or 800 grit corundom or carborundom should be good.

 

[nosmok]

If you're not opposed to quick and dirty, a sheet of translucent plastic works OK too, and is easier to cut rough to get one going (depending on the plastic, an X-Acto knife will work).

 

[mshchem]

Valve grinding paste is a good idea. I always used silicon carbide powder from a rock polishing shop.

 

[John Koehrer]

I've got a 9X12 GG that looks to be unused.
It measures 102X128mm with 1/4" grid and an X for actual center. $12.00 shipped 1st class to US.

 

[JPD]

I've got a 9X12 GG that looks to be unused.
It measures 102X128mm with 1/4" grid and an X for actual center. $12.00 shipped 1st class to US.

The thickness is important as well. If it's thicker than a glass plate it might not be possible to slide it into the gg holder.

 

[Michael Meacham]

B&H has film. It was the "other" standard size for Crown Graphic cameras. Holders and film hangers are out there too.