What Have I Bought?

[dazedgonebye]

I bought this on ebay because it looks like it might be the basis for a hand-held 4x5.
All I know is that the whole in the cap thingie is supposed to be copal 0.

Can anyone help me out with the origins of this thing?

 

[Ian Grant]

A very simple ? 5x4 fixed focus camera with a Graflok type back, and it takes interchangeable lenses, probably designed for scientific use.

Ian

 

[JBrunner]

Looks like all you need is the right focal length lens/shutter, and a cut film holder. Nice score.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I'm horribly frustrated at not knowing the distance from mount to film.
Looks to be a good 3 inches, though I'm hoping it's closer.

That mount looks to be screwed on. I'd like to be able to modify it and mount a focusing helical.

 

[k_jupiter]

So what are the dimensions? Film opening, approximate length from installed back to lens flange?

Maybe that would help.

tim in san jose

 

[dazedgonebye]

So what are the dimensions? Film opening, approximate length from installed back to lens flange?

Maybe that would help.

tim in san jose

Unfortunately Tim, I just bought this and haven't received it yet. The seller did not answer my questions (I really bought a pig in a poke).
The film holder is graflex 4x5 and I have no clue as to the flange distance. Just looking at it using the back for scale, I'm thinking 3 inches or so.

 

[k_jupiter]

Well, just thinking about that 3"... Are you sure this isn't from a Mamiya rb67 back instead of a 4x5 graflex? On the other hand, if it is 120, it certainly looks like it might be 6x9 instead of 6x7. If it is either one, and you don't want it, make me an offer.

tim, collector of tons of useless stuff, in san jose

 

[timparkin]

Looks like the head for some sort of enlarger to me..

 

[dazedgonebye]

I won't be sure of anything till I get it, and even then....

 

[JBrunner]

Looks like the head for some sort of enlarger to me..

Probably not with that back... copy camera? Maybe... but I'm betting some kind of medical or scientific purpose.

 

[Bandicoot]

That back looks very like 6x9 to me - it's very similar to a Horseman 6x9 back I have. But whatever the size, the thing looks very useful. If I'd seen it I'd probably have bid against you...


Peter

 

[dazedgonebye]

That back looks very like 6x9 to me - it's very similar to a Horseman 6x9 back I have. But whatever the size, the thing looks very useful. If I'd seen it I'd probably have bid against you...


Peter

"Useful" is exactly what I thought when I saw it. It just looks like I ought to be able to make something out of it.
If it's 6x9 though, I'll be dumping it. I've already got a graflex xlsw for wide medium format work. I'm looking for something I can shoot wide 4x5 or 6x12 with...that costs less than that thing I'd like to have from horseman.

 

[Phillip P. Dimor]

Probably for recording microscope images on film, most likely 4x5 (as I don't know of many 120 film options in this area). Polaroid also made something similar to allow duping of materials onto polaroid 545 film with the appropriate holder.

 

[Dan Fromm]

I vote for the back being a 2x3 Graflok, quite possibly made by Mamiya as has been suggested. That lens mount, if that's what it is, should tell us what its made to attach to, but I don't recognize it. Also, the unthreaded hole in the cap is puzzling. as is the knurled knob that looks like it would lock something in place.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Hopefully this thing will get to me before the end of the week, otherwise, we'll have to wait till the new year before I get a look at it and solve this little mystery.
Stay tuned....

 

[dazedgonebye]

Well, just thinking about that 3"... Are you sure this isn't from a Mamiya rb67 back instead of a 4x5 graflex? On the other hand, if it is 120, it certainly looks like it might be 6x9 instead of 6x7. If it is either one, and you don't want it, make me an offer.

tim, collector of tons of useless stuff, in san jose

Just found some pictures of an rb67 mount...it does look like it might be that.
Strange.

 

[seawolf66]

Folks Take a look at the Polariod MR-4 or the CU-5 camera set up: there are a few for sale on blitzbay:

 

[Uncle Goose]

Considering the fact it has a bajonet like a lens I would say it's for connecting a 35mm camerabody (or MF??, can't judge the dimensions on the picture) to the back of a view camera. It's the only logical explanation to me.

 

[paul ewins]

Nope, I'm pretty sure it's not an RB mount either. It is the same size as a Pentax 67 outer bayonet, but has a few differences with the location of the flanges so that doesn't fit either. Here are a few photos of mine, showing the short extension tube.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Folks Take a look at the Polariod MR-4 or the CU-5 camera set up: there are a few for sale on blitzbay:

Lauren, I've dismantled a couple of CU-5s. They're nothing like the object we're discussing. The MP-4 camera is much larger. Neither has a bayonet mount.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I guess I'll be taking this thing down to Collectable Cameras in Phoenix to see if we can figure out the mount.
I'm antsy that the seller got it in the mail in time for me to receive it by Friday. I'm having it sent to my work and we'll be on shut down for the holidays after that till the new year.

It would be neat if it accepted something like mamiya or pentax...but I'd be disapointed that it was not 4x5.
Now that I think of it, just the fact that there is a bayonet mount would seem to point to medium format...wouldn't it?

 

[k_jupiter]

I guess I'll be taking this thing down to Collectable Cameras in Phoenix to see if we can figure out the mount.
I'm antsy that the seller got it in the mail in time for me to receive it by Friday. I'm having it sent to my work and we'll be on shut down for the holidays after that till the new year.

It would be neat if it accepted something like mamiya or pentax...but I'd be disapointed that it was not 4x5.
Now that I think of it, just the fact that there is a bayonet mount would seem to point to medium format...wouldn't it?

My comments about the rb67 were directed at the rear of this gizmo. The Graflex/Universal mount part. The front, frankly looks to me like an over-engineered attempt to provide fast, easy lens substitution while on whatever piece of equipment it's made for. The fact that the flange mount can also be replaced indicates someone thought there might be development in the future for other lens mounting systems that would just need another adapter designed. It certainly would not work for Mamiya lens, too many moving parts are required to get a Mamiya lens to fire (cocking mechanism, shutter release, etc.). I am still betting on a 6x9 Graphlex design.

tim in san jose

 

[Roc Chan]

Could be an 4x5 oscilloscope camera.

 

[JBrunner]

I am still betting on a 6x9 Graphlex design.

tim in san jose

I'm betting on 4x5. Why?, ok, the hole in "lens board" is, at the smallest, a copal zero, and it has the little pin dent, that makes me further think it is indeed for a LF style lens, and if it is a 0 the scale is right for 4x5, and #2, the back has one end machined and a slot in the felt to accept the ridge of a cut film holder, and room for the holder's light trap. (This is fun...)

 

[paul ewins]

Hmm, strange, I can't see the first post I made or the OP's reply to it. Anyway It looks exactly like mine which is 4x5.

Have a look at this thread on the LFphoto forum for another one:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=22081