Korona View Camera, Variation 2 Help!!!

photogeek82 · Aug 4, 2008

Hi All,

I just discovered that my Antique store find is an Korona 8x10 view camera, variation 2. I'm madly in love with it, it's BEAUTIFUL (in that classic camera, sort of beat up, but not badly sort of way..well..sort of)

That being said. It needs new rails and the wood base is pretty much trash. It wiggles to the point of not being sturdy and the back part behind the hinges has been ripped out and now is just..well..an extra piece.

So, that being said, does anyone know where I might find some extra hardware? Any ideas for how to fix/replace the rails? Any input is super appriciated.

doughowk · Aug 5, 2008

I have a couple of Koronas that I'm perpetually refurbishing. As far as rails, if the hardware is still OK, then you could find a rear rail on eBay and convert to front rail. If have woodworking skills, you could replace the wood (can be found at WoodCrafter stores).
For camera wobbles, if its cherry wood then you could go to slightly larger screws. If mahogany which easily splits, reinsert screws with glue.

pgomena · Aug 5, 2008

Unless you're shopping for a bargain or a project, another alternative would be to shop for a Korona in better condition.

I had a cherrywood Korona 8x10 that took very little refurbishing (aside from needing a new bellows) to function pretty darned well. I found that it tended to be a little shaky all the time, and it had a number of quirks and foibles that I needed to learn about in order to make a sharp image. It was a beautiful old beast and I had a lot of fun with it.

Koronas were pretty common. They turn up on auction sites pretty regularly. I've seen some for sale that were in astonishingly pristine condition. It might pay to shop around for a better camera from the start than to try to find parts.

Peter Gomena

eric · Aug 5, 2008

I use a bunch of wood clamps (plastic kind from *mart stores so it doesn't ruin the wood) to keep things nice and tight.
I use a lightstand to keep the rail nice and level.
I use ductape in various places such as taping the lensboard in.
Other than that, it works great! Holds light out, holds lens in, holds film tight. That's all I need

Ian Grant · Aug 5, 2008

No-one has bothered to say welcome, it is your first post after all

Be careful, Korona's appear very regularly for sale on this forum and the LFPIF at very treasonable prices and in good condition so don't pay too much.

Personally I'd love to buy one, but my wife has other thoughts . . . . . .

Ian

pgomena · Aug 5, 2008

I spent $350 for my Korona, about $150 for a bellows, I think, and easily another $100 on glue, leather, other miscellaneous stuff to get it fixed up and ready to go. Koronas were put together with tiny screws and a few nails here and there. Easy to tighten up.

Peter Gomena

eric · Aug 5, 2008

pgomena said:
screws and a few nails here and there. Easy to tighten up.

Peter Gomena

Hi Peter,
How do you keep the rail from sagging when extended? I'm afraid someday it'll "snap"!

papagene · Aug 5, 2008

Welcome to APUG Photogeek82. Sounds like that Korona needs quite a bit of work. Like the others have said they show up fairly regularly on the auction sites for decent prices. That may be the best route to take.
Good luck and I hope you will enjoy your many visits to APUG.

gene

photogeek82 · Aug 5, 2008

Thank you all for your input. I am super excited about this little camera..I use the little sparingly. I dunno what it was, I saw her sitting in the Antique store and she was too pretty to pass up. I think I may just start working on nailing her back together. I was just sort of concerned that it might lead to more cracks and scaryness...I guess we shall see!

Thanks again guys, look forward to lots of fun on here with y'all.

JackGreen · Aug 6, 2008

Hi Eric,
I don't remember if it's the case for the 8x10s but the larger format Koronas have metal fixtures on the tripod plate that are attachments points for a pair of wooden splint like supports that extend out under each rail to take the "hog" out of the rails when the bellows are fully extended. I've never had them but have seen them on auction. You might be able to devise something that would work similarly using padded spring clams and some square section hard wood strips.

Jack

pgomena · Aug 7, 2008

Eric --

My Korona did not have attachment points for the rail supports. I just used it as it came. It was a bit wobbly at full extension. I generally found that shorter focal lengths that didn't require a lot of extension worked best, simply because the camera was more stable. I used a 305mm G-Claron, a 210mm Symmar-S, and later found a Wollensak 13/20/25.5" triple convertible. The Wolly used at 20" was fine on a windless day, but I never did get a good, sharp negative with the 25.5" configuration. Just too wobbly.

I also used a pretty massive tripod head to help stabilize the whole thing. I had a Majestic head mounted on a Zone VI "lightweight" tripod.

Peter Gomena

reellis67 · Aug 10, 2008

I have an 8x10 Korona that sounds like the same version that you have, so if you need any detailed pictures let me know. I did a fairly extensive refurb on my 4x5 as well, and I can say that unless you have some extensive damage, all you should need to do the frame repairs is some sandpaper, a thin metal file, a few clamps, and some quality wood glue. My rear rail was in pieces when it arrived, and the front standard was a mess as well. I was able to fix the whole thing up in a weekend and it's now my favorite camera. The 8x10 is wonderful too, but I don't have a pack for it yet, so it doesn't get used as much. They are really fun cameras - congratulations on your find.

- Randy

photogeek82 · Aug 10, 2008

Randy, that would be great!! I imagined it would be fairly easy to sort of get it back together with some glue and maybe a few small nails. heheh. The photos would be a great help. My email is allen@allenmorrisphoto.com

Thanks a ton!

Korona View Camera, Variation 2 Help!!!

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