100 yr old suject meets 100 yr old camera

[Glenn Thoreson]

Ok, I'm going to try to load my first image on this board. If it doesn't work, please don't kill me. I'm posting this here rather tham in the large format section because 4X5 was a standard format when this camera was made. It's a Rochester Optical Premo B, made around 1896 as far as my research can show. The image, if it works, is of an old homestead about 15 miles out of town. I have remounted the Bausch & Lomb Rapid Rectilinear lens in a Kodak Ball Bearing Shutter since I took the picture of the camera. I got this camera for less than 20 bucks and it was a stinky, moldy mess outside. The inside was nice, so I removed all the mess and sanded it down and gave it a few coats of laquer. it is capable of some nice, crisp images but I don't think the scan will do it juustice. The whole thing weighs a whopping 36 ounces. Oh, my back! So, here goes ---------
Click on the imge to make it bigger, I think.

The homestead thumbnail has been deleted. It is reloaded below in another post, to provide a larger image.

[nelsonfoto]

I dont see the homestead, but you nailed the image of the box.

[Glenn Thoreson]

Craig, I was having some trouble getting it right. It's there now.

[nelsonfoto]

Got it!

[Glenn Thoreson]

There, even the spelling is fixed, I think. You can see that I had a light leak on what would be the upper left corner. There was one on the other side but I cropped it out. Possible cause? Maybe using Fidelity plastic holders, which I've not done before. Old Gaflex wood holders work better. I'll also check the bellows, as it's been a while since I've used it.
1/25 at f/18, K-2 filter-- APX 100 in D-76 1:1 for 10 min.

[nelsonfoto]

Is that the largest version you have to post or was that the thumbnail you linked to?

[sandeha]

Glenn, that looks worthy of a MUCH larger version.

[Glenn Thoreson]

When I first scanned it and uploaded it to photobucket, it was so huge it was about 4 times too big to fit on the computer screen. I downsized it on their website and now it's too small. I'll probably  have to reload it in their site and start over. I think it said that once you downsize it, you can't make it big again. The shot of the camera is off a 4X6 print and logically, a 4X5 neg should come close, but I guess not. I'll learn this one of these days.

[nelsonfoto]

edit - nevermind, seems this is an issue you are having with your photo host instead.

[connealy]

What a neat old camera.  Were you able to use some standard film holder on it?  Hope you will post some more pictures of the lens and shutter, and I'm looking forward to seeing the bigger sample image.  I believe the lens on my #2 folding Autographic Brownie is a rectilinear.  I was astounded by the quality it can deliver.  I've also had much better luck with the ballbearing shutters than with the later ones that were put on the Kodaks.

[Glenn Thoreson]

This should be bigger. I think it will post a thumbnail that you can click to enlarge it. Craig, I am using a cheap Microtek Scanmaker 5900 and editing in the free Roxio PhotoSuite software that came with something I bought. The picture is sharpened a bit using Auto Fix and then the radius is punched up just a bit. Don't ask what any of that means. I don't have a clue.  Mike, I will post this same image taken with my 4X5 pinhole camera as soon as I can get my digi crap to take a decent picture of the camera. That's the price one pays when one gets a "camera" free with a printer.
OK, here goes nothing ----------

[connealy]

Yes, much better.  I'm looking forward to seeing the pinhole results too.  
Posting thumbnails is a nice option.  I often just don't bother to look at threads with four or five images because it is just too long a wait with a slow modem connection.

[Glenn Thoreson]

Whew! Gawd, I hate this confusing electronic media crap! I could just as easily make a darkroom print and mail one to each of you. Anyhoo, a little more for Mike: Film Holders: originally made for glass plate holders, modern one fit but the old wood variety works best. I gave the plate holders and Victor shutter to Micah Henry. The Ball bearing shutter gives me two usable speeds, 1/25 and 1/50, roughly. I have never come across one that would give 1/100. The mount spacing was correct, as was the aperture scale. It's no Copal, but a big improvement.
Thank you all for your patience with an old goat who's out of his time. Click the thumb and then maximize for a 5 1/2 X 7 1/2 image. I hope.

[miztli]

Glenn, that is a beautiful image. Great job in turning back to life that camera. Congratulations.

[Dean Williams]

Wow, what a beautiful shot Glenn.  Lots of old time atmosphere.  Camera is lovely, too.