Robertson Meteorite Repro lithographic camera

absalom1951

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While browsing through ads I ran across a Robertson Meteorite Repro lithographic camera. Does it have any value? I'll post the entire ad, hope thats legal?

"Robertson Meteorite Repro lithographic camera vertical stand. Vacuum film plate for 4x5 to 15x18 sheet film, glass plate for artwork. Repro scales. Timer bellows and lens with detached vacuum pump. 2 sets of side mount lights."

Maybe it could be adapted for other uses? Its been listed for 7 weeks with a $85 price tag.
 

glbeas

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If it has a transparency adaptor it can be used to enlarge 8x10 negs. Otherwise you have a copy camera. The Robertson cameras Ive handled weren't overly high quality, but still performed decently.
 
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absalom1951

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Thanks for the information. After it quits snowing I might drive down and look at it. I really don't need it, but maybe I can get it into my garage without my wife seeing it.
 

mshchem

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If it is perfect with the lens, and the seller will deliver you might want to go $50
I've passed on these for free. That's a baby, these aren't tall enough to make into an enlarger, still it should include a vacuum pump (that will put oil in the air) etc.
The smaller horizontal Robertson (16x20) cameras are pretty cool.

Doesn't hurt to look, remember the seller will desperately want it gone, stay cool.
 
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absalom1951

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Hmmm, so this could turn into a money maker? Most of my money making schemes only make money for the other person.

With the vacuum pump spewing forth oil I gather that a person would not want this pump close to any delicate mechanisms?

Thanks for the information mshchem & Kino
 

AnselMortensen

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Goerz lenses are VERY high quality in general.
All the Robertson-Goerz lenses I have seen used waterhouse stops instead of adjustable apertures in order to keep costs down. Hopefully the WH stops are included.
 

MarkS

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There were lots of variations. "Process" or "graphic-arts" or "copy" cameras were standard equipment in photo labs, print shops, etc. All replaced by scanners long ago. The vertical ones were not as versatile (being smaller) but of course that's an advantage now. I worked with several different ones over the years, a Robertson, a Dai-Nippon Screen, those went "through-the-wall" with the film side being in the darkroom and the copy board out in the light. Those had copy boards up to 30x40" and could take film up to 20x24". And of course the vacuum backs did not spew oil droplets, these were well-maintained professional machines. They had f/stops in the lens like a normal camera, and also a slot for Waterhouse stops (for making halftones etc.) The lenses were Goerz Red Dot Artars, or Apo-Nikkors, superb glass. Most cameras like this were scrapped years ago; some of us were able to grab the lenses for LF work.
As someone said above, if it's all there and you can use it, great. If it's not all there, grab the lens cheap and scrap the rest. If the lens is gone, it's junk.
 

mshchem

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Most of the vertical process cameras I've seen (2 or 3) had wide angle sort of lenses. If it's been kept in a climate controlled office it could be worth playing with. Hard to guess. But a mad man such as myself would contemplate using the vacuum back as an easel, or making a large format camera/enlarger etc.

I was allowed access to scrap a 3x4 foot format process camera, I got two ridiculous Rodenstock lenses, the shortest was 60 inch focal length. I traded them for an enlarging lens .

My friend has a 16x20 Robertson, c. 1950. Horizontal, I always wanted it, but that camera requires a darkroom for the back part. Process cameras are fun, but alas no more huge film except X-ray

I have a Goerz 19 inch red dot Artar, I put it in a Packard shutter for my 400 lb (camera and stand) Deardorff 11x14 commercial camera. I got that camera for next to nothing because the guy wanted to see the camera saved.
 

mshchem

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The vacuum pump was on the light side, and only came on when you were using the vacuum back. And everyone of these I've seen were awfully greasy (from 30 years of use) but your point is well taken.

My Goerz has a ordinary aperture but also has a slide open slot provision for inserting stops. Beautiful flat field lenses that will work perfectly well in the 3D world too.
 
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absalom1951

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By the pictures the lens is there. What condition the lens is in I don't know. If I'm fortunate the lens will be usable. Only way to find out is to go look at it. The photo actually doesn't show very much. Thanks to everyone for the information. Appreciate it!
 

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mshchem

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I'm almost certain that's a Goerz, leather lens cap. Their logo was a golden stamp of sorts. May be worth going out in the storm. Good luck. Look for other goodies, timers, plate burners etc etc.
 

Kino

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You wouldn't be the first to drag home a huge, obsolete (but beautiful) bit of photo equipment!

That's what storage sheds and divorce lawyers are for!
 
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absalom1951

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I haven't made it down to check out the Robertson camera yet, all kinds of things are happening. But the seller has sent me some photos of the lens. Would this lens work on an enlarger? It is a Goerz, as per the photos.
 

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glbeas

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Probably way too long focal length for the average enlarger though it would be great to use if the camera was converted to an enlarger.
 
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absalom1951

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Many thanks to all you gents who(or is it whom? ) for the information.
It is greatly appreciated. - Tom
 

ic-racer

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Should make a nice horizontal enlarger, if that is what you intended. People have made 11x14 enlargers with less to work with than that. LED panel light sources are easy to come by.

Crude 11X14 Enlarger Mockup...Success!

Very exciting progress! I’ve just cobbled together an extremely crude yet effective mockup of an 11x14 horizontal enlarger and, using a large 5600K florescent “sunlamp,” have projected (through my 305 G-Claron) a 40x60 image which, upon close inspection with a focussing magnifier…looks great...
www.largeformatphotography.info
 
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absalom1951

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Thanks for the link ic-racer. Interesting . That's an idea I hadn't thought of.
 

ic-racer

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Even if you don't do large format photography, you can use a large format enlarger to make super proof sheets:

 
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