Want to Buy Plate holders etc. for Voigtländer Avus 9x12

[SalveSlog]

I just got an Avus 9x12 camera. The shutter and lens is in super shape, but there is other problems:

It came without plate holders, film inserts and the ground glass is broken. I need it all!

 

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[Donald Qualls]

Broken ground glass is the easy solution -- there are several folks online who sell it at reasonable cost, and will cut to your exact dimension.

9x12 film sheaths are all pretty similar, if not exactly thick on the ground.

So the one item that's critical and specific is plate holders for your Avus. One thing I'm certain of: the ones I have for my Ideal won't work.

 

[SalveSlog]

Here is the edge of the groundglass holder and the entrance of the slot:

 

[Nodda Duma]

There are plenty of 9x12 plate holders on ebay. They are thin and hold one plate each, and made from steel.
When you look, make sure they are for your voigtlander (you’ll have to do some research and look carefully at pics)

Replacement 9x12 ground glass Is a fair bit uncommon. You can find 4x5 ground glass and ask if the seller can cut down to the necessary dimensions if you don’t have a glass cutter. Measure carefully..it may not take exactly 9.0 cm x 12.0 cm ground glass.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Your Avus uses the single edge slide-in type. There was a page around somewhere (which I don't have bookmarked) that gave a run-down of the (roundly a dozen) different plate holder styles made during the plate camera era (roughly 1890 to 1940). If you post in the Plate Camera forum here you're likely to find someone who has the link.

The point of that being, it will tell you what other brands of plate holders will work in your Avus.

 

[SalveSlog]

Thank you. That must be (the one) sticky thread on top of that forums page(?)
https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/9x12-plate-holders-1.39756/

 

[Ian Grant]

I can supply you a new focus screeen, I make 9x12 quite regularly the question is does 2mm fit ? If not I'm getting some 1.5mm anyway. PM me the measurements.

While I have a lot of spare Plate olders they are all ones taht have a different edge fitting unfortunately.

Ian

 

[Kino]

3D printed back for AVUS to use 4x5 or 9x12 double sided film holders with ground glass insert.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3449588

Plenty of online 3D printing shops can make this for you cheaply and you can use the easier to find 4x5 holders with the equally easier to find 4x5 film.

 

[Donald Qualls]

3D printed back for AVUS to use 4x5 or 9x12 double sided film holders with ground glass insert.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3449588

Plenty of online 3D printing shops can make this for you cheaply and you can use the easier to find 4x5 holders with the equally easier to find 4x5 film.

Whoa! I presume this requires a spacer for the infinity stop (can't see it, I think my work network blocks Thingiverse), but I'll have to look when I'm at home -- the main reason I don't use my Zeiss and Ica Ideals much is light leaks in the plate holders -- 90+ year old velvet likely the cause, and it's not accessible to renew with that holder design. If I could use my known-good 4x5 holders and 4x5 film, I'd use those cameras a lot more...

 

[Kino]

Whoa! I presume this requires a spacer for the infinity stop (can't see it, I think my work network blocks Thingiverse), but I'll have to look when I'm at home -- the main reason I don't use my Zeiss and Ica Ideals much is light leaks in the plate holders -- 90+ year old velvet likely the cause, and it's not accessible to renew with that holder design. If I could use my known-good 4x5 holders and 4x5 film, I'd use those cameras a lot more...

You do have to recalibrate your focus scale if you intend to use it. I have two of these, but have not cut the ground glass for either one yet so I haven't used them. It cost about $15 each to have them made. You have to file off some sharp edges and glue two parts together but the fit and finish are pretty good.

The "springs" that allow the film holder to slide in between the ground glass and back adapter are not supplied, but the hooks are made for heavy duty rubber bands, which seem to work fine. I will probably use smaller hair "scrunchies" or elastic bands on mine.

This thread prompts me to get off my butt and finish them...

EDIT: Oh and I now get this message when I click on the link,"Thingiverse is currently undergoing maintenance."

 

[Donald Qualls]

Ground glass is easy-seeming for someone who has ground a telescope mirror, and I use a file almost every day a work. Sounds like this works much like the spring back on my Speed Graphic or Graphic View. Yep, definitely need to look at this, see if they have a compatible version for my cameras.

 

[Kino]

Sounds like this works much like the spring back on my Speed Graphic or Graphic View.

Yup. Exactly how they work...

 

[Donald Qualls]

Okay, I don't see any alternatives for other plate holder styles, but I think a Voigtlander plate holder would require minimum adaptation to fit the Zeiss/Ica back. Needs a notch and possibly reinforcement (brass sheet insert?) for the latches.

Yep, no doubt about it, if there's another Economic Impact Payment, I'm getting a 3D printer. May wind up in the darkroom, only place I have space...

 

[awty]

I have the same design camera in 1/4 plate, Klimax.
Also has a broken ground glass. I will get some 1.5mm glass (picture frame glass is usually very thin, pick them up for 50 cents.) and cut it (cutters from hardware or online)and grind my own glass myself with some 320 grit (get it online or from stone polishers). Very easy to do, made many ground glasses.
You can always find film holders on line. My film holders are a smidge too wide, but if I file the guide on the camera a little they should fit.

What I like to know is if you can replace the mirrors on the view finder with anything.

 

[Kino]

Okay, I don't see any alternatives for other plate holder styles, but I think a Voigtlander plate holder would require minimum adaptation to fit the Zeiss/Ica back. Needs a notch and possibly reinforcement (brass sheet insert?) for the latches.

Yep, no doubt about it, if there's another Economic Impact Payment, I'm getting a 3D printer. May wind up in the darkroom, only place I have space...

Just have it printed for a few bucks. Plenty of good, fast, cheap services on the net.

Why buy the cow when you can milk it through the fence?

https://www.thingiverse.com/apps/3d-print-with-treatstock

 

[Alex Varas]

I have some nice Kodak 9x12 that will fit in the Avus, doh they are for film and not plates.

 

[SalveSlog]

Thank you Kino, but what attracts me to old cameras is kind of the opposite of 3D printing! :-D

 

[SalveSlog]

I can supply you a new focus screeen, I make 9x12 quite regularly the question is does 2mm fit ? If not I'm getting some 1.5mm anyway. PM me the measurements.
..
Ian

Thanks! The slot in the bottom of the focus screen holder is only 1.5mm. Maybe the original ground glass was even thinner than 1.5mm? But I think I will get 1.5mm into it.
I will send you a PM.

I took some detail pictures of the screen holder and aim to make a separate posting outside Classifieds, for general interest.

 

[SalveSlog]

I have some nice Kodak 9x12 that will fit in the Avus, doh they are for film and not plates.

That's interesting. Do you have a picture of it?

 

[Alex Varas]

 

[Alex Varas]

That's interesting. Do you have a picture of it?

I have 4, photos above... I have been using them in Bergueil and Fotocord cameras, Avus should be the same.
Light traps are fine, slide smooth and film is held nicely, these are the best film cut holders I tried but they are only for film sheets.

 

[Kino]

Thank you Kino, but what attracts me to old cameras is kind of the opposite of 3D printing! :-D

Understood! I have both original film and plate holders for my cameras as well.

The 3D printed back (mine are in black and unobtrusive) is just an inexpensive way of obtaining more choice in film types without having to physically trim sheet film from larger sizes.

 

[Alex Varas]

I wonder how this 3D stuff would fit in my 10x15 camera...

 

[Kino]

Thingverse is a repository of independent designers who publish their 3D designs for free download and use. If no one has a 10x15 camera and hasn't designed accessories or adapters, it simply won't be there!

Of course, you can design your own and print it if you have the knowledge and skill in CAD and 3D materials. I don't, so I rely on the generosity of makers and hobbyists who offer their designs that happen to coincide with my interests.

There is always the possibility of contacting a designer on the site and getting them interested in making adapters for your camera, but the amount of work to design and prototype a fitting is pretty substantial...

 

[AnselMortensen]

OP, were you able to find what you need?
If not, I have a Voigtlander plate/film holder, 3 Kodak plate/film holders, a Voigtlander film pack back (with film still in it!), an Avus ground glass back (with broken ground glass), and an aftermarket ground glass adapter back to take standard 3x4 double-sided film holders, plus some film holders...