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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'VE HOLES IN YOUR BELLOWS ?..
NEVER WORRY ABOUT BELLOWS AGAIN.
My 6x9 EX folders Converted into landscape cameras.
1..left..EX Moscow Five (Moskva-5
Russian Super Ikonta) 6x9 with pinholes in bellows.
2..right..EX Zeiss Super Ikonta 6x9 with pinholes in bellows.
DON'T DO THIS UNLESS YOU DON'T MIND USING YOUR CAMERAS,YOUR COLLECTIBLE CAMERAS WILL BE WRECKED,MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT A COLLECTOR,IF YOU'RE A COLLECTOR LEAVE CAMERAS ON A SHELF WITH HOLES IN THE BELLOWS,OR REPLACE THE BELLOWS.
1)..For the Moskva-5 , I removed the bellows and folding struts,but left the fold out plate as this camera
has a double exposure linkage built into the plate, I then made a metal set of bellows from tin plate same
shape as original bellows, rivited tin bellows to the camera body and fold out plate,checked for light tightness ,checked focus with a ground glass ,
painted inside with Rustins blackboard black to stop light dancing around inside camera, covered the outside with sticky back felt
(could have used leather but not really bothered by looks as camera will be a user).
I made a mount from an old 55mm lens ring and attached it with brackets to camera body to fit a Cokin filter mount and
hood in front of lens,this allows me to use modern easy to obtain Cokin filters.
2)..For the Zeiss Ikonta, I did virtually the same thing,but this camera has no double exposure linkage so I removed the complete front bellows hinges and folding plate.
I replaced the front of the camera with half an old Box Brownie tin camera attached it to the Ikonta back,used the Brownie internal film holder as the bellows shape,
fitted the bellows shape inside the half Box Brownie,the advantage of this set up is if you want to upgrade your lens at any time it has a lens board type front, I had to cut a slot in
the lens board to fit in the rangefinder,but this can be filled if I ever change for a non rangefinder lens, maybe a Schneider-Kreuznach some day,see WORKSHOP for front board view.
Disadvantages..Can't fold up and go in your pocket anymore, Camera wrecked if you wanted it as a collectors item.
Alternatives..Replace bellows,tighten up struts.
Slight disadvantage..Lenses on these old cameras are
a bit soft round the edges work better stopped down,
best way is use a tripod ,long shutter release cable ,stop down and use slow shutter speeds,don't stop right down or will get diffraction.
Advantages..Will be a great user camera, don't go out of focus due to wobble of lens from loose struts (rangefinder and lens in tune, allways in focus).
Don't get film pulled off plane due to suction of bellows opening causing film to pull into camera.
No worries from split or pin holed bellows,stronger no chance of denting or damaging bellows,able to use new type filters on Cokin holder,use a polarizing filter or
skylight filter to stop glare and flare on old lenses,(plus has built in hood), can fit red filter for dramatic B&W shots,blue or grad filter for great skies.
6x9 great format for landscape shots (Nice Big Negatives). Replacing bellows is a pain this way you don't have to, no need to throw a good camera away,
a modernish 1980s/90s.. 6x9 rangefinder is expensive even on the auction sites,these 70 year old cameras will give em a good run (So What If Old Lenses Are A Bit Soft).I love these old cameras.
Click link Daves Pics to see photo taken with Moscow 5 and Ikonta.
Daves Pics moscow 5 .
Daves Pics ikonta photo.
CHECK WORKSHOP FOR BETTER VIEW OF CAMERAS.
Dave R.
Daves Pics CAMERA COLLECTION
P.S. I've got a 6x9 folder that still folds and fits in my pocket.
Adox Sport with a Schneider-Kreuznach Radionar 1:4,5/105.lens, a cheap but ok Schneider-Kreuznach lens.
Click ADOX link to 6x9 picture.
Daves Pics ADOX 6x9 . |
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