Suzuki Optical Co. Press Van

[fs999]

Does anyone know where to find an English manual for this camera ?

 

[fs999]

Or knows how to correctly load a film in this camera ?

 

[MattiS]

From what I see here (4:30 onwards)

it`s a quite normal (but nice) 6x6 camera. The only special thing is that you flip the mask for 645 in/out. Spools are released by the bottom knobs. Hope that helps.

Regards, Matti

 

[fs999]

Thank you, but this is the Press Van 120, it's a later model, but less complicated (with view number windows)...

 

[Kino]

Thank you, but this is the Press Van 120, it's a later model, but less complicated (with view number windows)...

The video above DOES show a Press Van 120. It's a simple 120 camera that operates on the same principals as a plastic Diana camera

()

only you have two windows on the back to choose between 6x6 and 6x4.5 formats. This is pretty much all explained in the video above.

 

[MattiS]

No, fs999 is right. He owns an earlier version of the camera without the windows in the back (and the 35/120 switch?). It´s not that simple... .

So there are two things to check for 120 film - where to start (usually there is a mark on the film and the camera) and how to set the winding mechanism to zero. The Konishiroku Pearl iii also has such a mechanism, one can find a manual for that at Butkus. Maybe that helps (similar mechanics?) until someone knows it exactly.

 

[Kino]

No, fs999 is right. He owns an earlier version of the camera without the windows in the back (and the 35/120 switch?). It´s not that simple... .

So there are two things to check for 120 film - where to start (usually there is a mark on the film and the camera) and how to set the winding mechanism to zero. The Konishiroku Pearl iii also has such a mechanism, one can find a manual for that at Butkus. Maybe that helps (similar mechanics?) until someone knows it exactly.

OK, fine, but all this additional information you bring up is nowhere within the original query asking for help! Where is the lack of windows and the 35/120 switch mentioned other than in your post?

 

[MattiS]

OK, fine, but all this additional information you bring up is nowhere within the original query asking for help! Where is the lack of windows and the 35/120 switch mentioned other than in your post?

In fs999s second post.

The engraving on the cover plate and a quick internet research made it clear for me. The camera shown in the first video is a later model with 5 digit serial number engraved "Press Van-120" 10xxx serial no. - my fault. And I only found these two versions of the Press Van.

This is what fs999 probably owns:
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Press_Van (the 135 adapter stuff is also shown)

 

[fs999]

This is what fs999 probably owns:
http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Press_Van (the 135 adapter stuff is also shown)

Yes, this is it !

So there are two things to check for 120 film - where to start (usually there is a mark on the film and the camera) and how to set the winding mechanism to zero. The Konishiroku Pearl iii also has such a mechanism, one can find a manual for that at Butkus. Maybe that helps (similar mechanics?) until someone knows it exactly.

I looked at the manual, but the winding mechanism is on the other side and there is a "start" marking, not on mine.
Thank you for your help. I will have to respool a lot of films, before I know how to use it

 

[Donald Qualls]

A camera with red windows needs no start marking. In fact, aside from having to decide whether to use the 6x4.5 flaps or leave the gate at 6x6 (and remembering to flip the pressure plate accordingly, so the correct window is uncovered on the inside), this should load exactly like a common 6x6 folder like a Nettar, Speedex, or Isolette.

 

[fs999]

A camera with red windows needs no start marking. In fact, aside from having to decide whether to use the 6x4.5 flaps or leave the gate at 6x6 (and remembering to flip the pressure plate accordingly, so the correct window is uncovered on the inside), this should load exactly like a common 6x6 folder like a Nettar, Speedex, or Isolette.

Sorry but if you read precedent posts, you will note that I have the "Press Van" and not the "Press Van 120", there is no red window and I can choose for 35mm or 6x6, not 6x4.5... And finally there is no start mark...

 

[Donald Qualls]

Can you post a couple pictures at different angles, of the film chamber and gate? We can probably either spot the mark, or make a good estimate where to place the backing paper start mark (crosswise arrow pair).

 

[reddesert]

You can use a backing paper saved from a previous roll of 120 to determine where the start mark should be on a camera with automatic frame counting. There is no need to waste a lot of film.
- Respool the backing paper onto an empty 120 spool so that the usual start end is out.
- Load the spool into the camera and wind until the start arrows reach your guessed mark, or some reference point like the center of the frame.
- Close the camera back and start the frame counter (sometimes it starts automatically once the back is closed, or you have to rotate it to an S mark).
- Wind until the frame counter stops at frame 1.
- Open the back and see where you got to, using the numbers on the backing paper, and the leftover tape that attached the film, if there is any. If it's on frame 1, you're good. If it's offset, then you need to offset where you placed the start arrows and try again.

This should work on more or less any roll-film camera unless it is a Rolleiflex Automat or similar and automatically senses the thickness of the film, in which case you don't need to worry about start marks.

 

[fs999]

I think I have found how to do.

When a film is finished the arrow is in front of the F mark and you can turn the knob as long as you want it stays there.
Now if I put the slider on the left on 35mm and back to 6x6 when I turn the knob it advances to mark 1.
So I have now to find the starting point. I will try this evening and make some photos...

 

[Donald Qualls]

Putting the crosswise arrows on the film over the first roller at the film gate is likely to be close enough for the start, if there's no actual mark in the transport area.

 

[fs999]

For those who want to know. Here is the way to load a film on a Press Van (not Press Van 120 !)

First verify that the mark is on F and the slider on 6x6. Then put the film on the right side and put the paper in the left spool and turn the knob until the double arrow points to the white dots in the middle (see photo).

Close the back. Slide the swith to 35mm/Free and back to 6x6. Turn the knob until it blocks on mark 1.

Little hint : when you forget to arm the shutter before pressing the shutter button, close the lens panel and open it, then arm the shutter and you can press the shutter button without loosing a shot.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Little hint : when you forget to arm the shutter before pressing the shutter button, close the lens panel and open it, then arm the shutter and you can press the shutter button without loosing a shot.

Nice. Glad that got figured out. The Press Van looks like it would be interesting -- all of the other MF cameras I've seen that had specific 24x36 35mm adapters were TLRs with vertical transport and were a PITA to shoot horizontal framing if you wanted/needed it.

Also, the "little hint" above also looks like the gateway to intentional double exposures, if those are your bag (or unintentional ones, if you normally wind on before exposing rather than after, and get distracted).

 

[fs999]

Also, the "little hint" above also looks like the gateway to intentional double exposures, if those are your bag (or unintentional ones, if you normally wind on before exposing rather than after, and get distracted).

No there is a mechanism to avoid double exposure. Closing and opening only allows fire when it wasn't fired already else you must wind the film...

It is mechanical far more advanced than Press Van 120, which has windows for 6x4.5 and 6x6, and no frame counter...