New Shen-Hao - Questions

[Digidurst]

Hiya! Well, I've been playing with my new Shen-Hao and learning about it's movements. I think I've pretty much got it down but I'm unsure about a couple of things. For the sake of simplicity, here's a
(there was a url link here which no longer exists) which illustrates my confusion.

Also, I'm not sure if it's just a quirk or what (remember, I've never really worked with a field camera before) but the back standard seems a little wonky (technical term). Very easy to pop out of alignment. Is that normal?

Another oddity is that some of my film holders slide in much easier than others. Is that because the camera isn't broken in yet or what? And one of those sliding clips in the photo has a tendency to slip down when I have the GG in landscape orientation which prevents me from sliding in my holder. What gives with that?

I know, lots of questions but I sure do appreciate the help in getting to know my new folder. Thanks in advance and have a great one

 

[L Gebhardt]

The knobs are to remove the bellows. The clips are part of the graphlock back and secure the film holder/accessory.

 

[BradS]

Actually, I think "wonky" is a physics term...kind like "sh*tload".

I don't know what those knobs are for (I don't have a Shen) but, I believe that those clips are the "loc" part of the "Grafloc" / International Back.

I must say, this is the first decent phot I've seen of the Shen. Yours looks much nicer than the picture I had in mind. Congrats. Seems like you got a nice tool.

 

[L Gebhardt]

Also, I'm not sure if it's just a quirk or what (remember, I've never really worked with a field camera before) but the back standard seems a little wonky (technical term). Very easy to pop out of alignment. Is that normal?

Another oddity is that some of my film holders slide in much easier than others. Is that because the camera isn't broken in yet or what? And one of those sliding clips in the photo has a tendency to slip down when I have the GG in landscape orientation which prevents me from sliding in my holder. What gives with that?

If all the knobs are tight and the lever us pulled out on the bottom of the back it should be locked down tight.

You may need to tighten the screw holding the top slide to keep it from falling down, I did on mine. You could also remove the glass frame and wax box sides of the film path (the camera and the glass frame). I would also wax the screw heads as mine rusted slightly (the only real flaw in the camera).

 

[Steve Hamley]

Putting a little hard wax (automotive or paste furniture wax) on the filmholders themselves will help too.

Steve

 

[colrehogan]

Maybe the thing the blue arrows are pointing at are for removing the whole camera back ground glass and all. Have you tried changing the orientation from vertical to horizontal or vice versa?

As for inserting film holders, you may want to insert your holder and then pull up slightly on the opposite end to help your holder go in smoothly (does this make sense?).

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The clips look like Graflok slides. If you use a humpback type rollfilm holder that doesn't fit under the groundglass, you can remove the groundglass after focusing and use these slides to hold the rollfilm holder in place. They'll also work with Polaroid, Grafmatic, and some other types of holders.

 

[Digidurst]

Wax... that's a simple enough solution!

Diane, I have switched the orientation around - no problems there. I'd never seen a grafloc back (which is what I believe I have) so I had no clue whatsoever what those clippy doo-dahs were for other than to irritate me. I will tighten the screw; Thanks for the advice on that, Gebhardt. I had thought of that but didn't want to start messing around and screw something up, ya know?

 

[doughowk]

For the back standard, there is a lever near bottom which you pull out to keep the standard from moving (sliding left to right & pivoting). As said before, the top knobs are for changing bellows, and clips are to hold a roll film back. Suggest checking out Shen-Hao Users Group for more information on a very well-built camera.