My Premo/Graphic

[Kevin Roach]

I probably should have put this under camera builders but I keep getting an error on that thread.

I cobbled together an old Kodak Premo #9 with a Speed Graphic front standard. I wanted to use my Graphic lenses and boards. I also wanted to give the premo some movements. I managed to fit everything together pretty well. I have forward and backwards tilt. Front rise and some sideways movement. No swivelling however.

My problem is... the graphic standard fits a bit high. So I have about half an inch of permanent rise to the camera. I could probably lose another eighth of an inch with a lot of cutting, grinding and dremeling but I'm not sure I want to start all over again.

So what kind of problems is this permanent rise going to cause me? Can I compensate with tilt? There are NO back movements at all, not even a tilt bed.

Here's a picture of a premo #9 so you know what I'm talking about. It is very small and lightweight (and cheap) so I plan on using it as a backpacking camera.

Kevin

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-10/459194/7.jpg

 

[MattCarey]

If you didn't want to use the lensboards you already have, I would suggest drilling the lensboards 1" off center to compensate.

(by the way, Kevin, where are you? There is a Kevin Roach working in my building).

Matt

 

[John Koehrer]

Kevin,
You may have some trouble with coverage with the lens being raised. Obviously this will depend on the coverage of the lens.
The suggestion Mattcarey had is most likely the quickest & easiest way out.
Premo doesn't have a drop bed does it? If not perhaps you could give it one.

 

[Kevin Roach]

hey good ideas. I like the drop bed one. The #9 Premo doesn't have a drop bed but I also have a #6 Pony Premo I could cannabalize. Starting to get overly complex though. maybe I'll just use Matt's off center len's board.

And NO Matt, it's not me. Unless you work in my house and I have'nt noticed. (I bet he's an awfully nice guy though)