New project, 4x5 Field Cam...

[Scott]

Hi, all -

Well, I've wanted a dedicated 4x5 for a while now.  Against all odds and inflated BIN prices, a beater project 4x5 came up for sale on eBay last week.  Not quite a true basket case, it still needs a good deal of TLC to make it usable again, but the price, relative to a complete and functional 4x5, was too good to pass up.

It's patterned after an English view camera, but after quite a bit of research, the hardware and configuration suggest to me it's a Japanese-made Asanuma King half plate camera:



There's no back; the previous owner had tried to fit a Graflex spring back to it instead:



Unfortunately, he removed the top piece that the plate holder slid into.  I'll need to remake that piece before I can build a new back (:mad:).  But, I'm looking forward to having a real 4x5, and this looks like a fun project.  I'll be blogging the whole thing, too.

The camera shipped yesterday; I'm crossing my fingers for tomorrow's mail...

[Scott]

More research indicates that the Asanuma King has triple extension to 20", which is a darned good thing.  Also, while the existing back looks very poorly adapted, it seems that both clips are in place to hold the back.  If my thinking's right, that means the original owner cobbled the Graflex onto the original plate back.  If that's true, I should be able to slide the plate back out and either use it directly or as a pattern for the 4x5 spring back.  And I think the springs from the Graflex back will be usable for the spring back, which means less metalwork for me.

This is all pending receipt and inspection, but the photos are pretty encouraging!

[wlewisiii]

Looks like a fun project. That long bellows expanion would be fun to have - I can't use my Velostigmat with the front element only because 16 3/4" is just too long a focal length. I'll look forward to seeing how it goes for you.

[Scott]

Oooh - found a nice board of black walnut in the garage.  Fairly straight-grained; I think it'll make a fine back.  And some lensboards...

[sandeha]

I'm liking the look of this.  :cool:

[Scott]

Me, too.

Would be happier if the camera had shown up today; I contacted the seller, who assures me that it shipped and will be here tomorrow.  Fingers crossed...

[Scott]

Still.  Not.  Here...   :mad:

[Mike Kovacs]

Patience, my young padawan

[Len Robertson]

Scott - I'm sympathetic to your waiting-for-camera plight. I won another Speed Graphic off eBay two days ago, and I want it here NOW! I know it won't be here till next week, and with Christmas shipping, maybe not then, but the seller is only a 4 hour drive away. However, in the mountains of E Oregon, not a place I want to try going during snowy weather. The Speed was a pig in a poke. No pics with the front door open, so anything could be going on with the lens and bellows. I'm not even sure if it is a 3X4 or 4X5, but it was cheap, and old (pre-Anniversary if Glenn is reading). Hmmm, "cheap n old" sounds like the way my wife describes me.

When I first saw the pic of the back of your Japanese woody, the metal hardware piece below the hacked-on Graphic back made me think it may have originally had a back for English style plate holders, like this camera: http://www.cameraquest.com/tanaview.htm If yours was originally a half-plate camera, it may have a large enough rear frame to take a 5X7 back. You may have to fabricate two backs from your found board. It will be interesting to see what wood the camera is made of. I don't know if the Japanese had native woods suitable for camera making, or they imported wood.

Len

[wlewisiii]

(pre-Anniversary if Glenn is reading).

Can't speak for Glenn, but that makes me say, ooh, yummy. Pics when you get it!

[Len Robertson]

[/quote]

Can't speak for Glenn, but that makes me say, ooh, yummy. Pics when you get it!
[/quote]

I went to the post office yesterday evening, and there was a package notice, but it is most likely Christmas presents from my wife's mother. Even if it is the Speed, I've decided my wife is going to give it to me for Christmas, so I have a week to wait. I did more research, and I'm pretty certain it is a 4X5, not a 3X4.

I think I'm more excited about Scott's camera than the one I'm getting. I really love wooden field cameras. I just wish I had Scott's talent for fixing them. I'm hoping his detailed report on the new Japanese field will inspire me to work on some of my project cameras. 

Len

[Scott]

Thanks, Len.  I appreciate that.

Well, the box finally arrived!  But, my wife's off work today, so I've had (will have) minimal play time.  But I got it out of the box.  The seller didn't know how to fold it, so it was extended.  It's so stinkin' petite!  Cute little thing.  Gonna need a lot of TLC, though - several of the joints in the base frame need gluing.  Nothing looks damaged, though. 

Pics coming soon!

[martolod]

Thanks, Len.  I appreciate that.

Well, the box finally arrived!  But, my wife's off work today, so I've had (will have) minimal play time.  But I got it out of the box.  The seller didn't know how to fold it, so it was extended.  It's so stinkin' petite!  Cute little thing.  Gonna need a lot of TLC, though - several of the joints in the base frame need gluing.  Nothing looks damaged, though. 

Pics coming soon!

wooooooohoooooo
i'm actually excited about seeing this come together

[Scott]

wooooooohoooooo
i'm actually excited about seeing this come together

:cool:  You and me both!

Looked at it a bit more.  There are some obvious things - gluing joints, replacing screws.  The sliding lensboard lock is on upside down, and locks the standard down when folded, which is why (I'm guessing) the seller didn't fold it.  But the camera is clean, and looks sturdy enough, and like it'll be a good user.  The locks for the back are easy to move.  The back comes off cleanly, and the design is reversible.  There's no name on it anywhere, but the knobs for the rise and fall lock are indicative of the Japanese Asanuma.

So far, this was definitely worth the wait!  I keep sneaking out to the garage to fondle the thing...

[Len Robertson]

That's great the camera isn't a wreck, especially since it wasn't folded for shipping. I've considered making a short write-up on how to fold a wooden field camera or Speed Graphic that I could copy and paste to send to sellers before they ship. The best eBay prices are generally from people who don't know anything about cameras, so there is always a risk when bottom feeding that the seller will do damage when folding or due to poor packing. But I'm going to quit buying cameras, so I won't have to worry about it anymore (yeah, right!).

I suppose you saw this pic on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31561521@N04/4566257201/
It is interesting he redid the baseplate without modifying the camera. I don't know if there is any real collector value to these Japanese woodies, but it seems if it is possible to build an adapter for a regular tripod without changing the original base, it would be nice. I've always wondered if there are collectors in Japan who specialize in wooden view cameras , and know a lot about the history of the various Japanese manufacturers. Of course, there may have been many one-room "factories" making view cameras in Japan that didn't label their products.

I went to the post office this morning, and the package I didn't get Saturday is my eBay Speed. Now it seems really stupid I told my wife it is a Christmas present she is giving me. I'm trying to rationalize it is okay to open it and take a quick peek so I can let the seller know it arrived okay, then box it back up until Christmas. Naw, I won't do that, I'll be a good boy and wait (but it's going to be tough).

Len