----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 6:52
PM
Subject: Re: [Cameramakers] Process
camera for 8x10 and 7x17 enlarger?
Michael,
If you can't find a process
camera within driving distance so you can pick it up, be sure you know the
shipping charges before bidding on one on eBay. I wouldn't trust the seller's
"estimate" of camera weight, either. Being "...in a fairly rural area.." may
work in your favor; some of the small print shops may be just converting to
computerized printing. I don't know if small newspapers ever used process
cameras, but it might be worth finding out.
I don't know if you have done
calculations on the maximum size enlargement you want to make and the
enlarging lens you plan to use. This will tell you how much bellows you need
and length of camera bed. I suspect some of the vertical cameras are a little
short in this department, compared with horizontal models. An Artar-type
process lens with limited coverage will need more bellows extension than a
G-Claron with wider coverage. I've seen larger horizontal cameras that
were "two room" models - the copy board,bed, and bellows in one room and
the film holder through the wall into a darkroom. If you end up with a long
camera and are limited in darkroom space, you could have your negative
holder/light source outside the darkroom. Not very handy, but might
work.
If you can't find a process
camera at a reasonable price/distance, you may need to decide if you can get
by with just enlarging 8X10. Converting a 4X5 or 5X7 enlarger to 8X10 would be
an option then. I thought I had a link Bookmarked for an 8X10 enlarger
conversion, but can't find it. I did find one for a 4"X14" enlarger you may
find of interest: http://www.bigshotz.co.nz/projects.html
You might be able to scale his ideas up to 7X17.
Finally, a word of warning if
you start looking for a process camera. A few years ago, I bought a 19" plain
Artar and a 30" Red Dot Artar, $175 for the pair (this was prior to the
current flood of process lenses on the market, so it really was a give away
price). The catch was, the lenses came with a huge Robertson horizontal camera
(18' long bed, all steel constuction, very heavy). The seller wouldn't let me
have the lenses, even after I paid him, until the camera was actually loaded
on my trailer. I still have the camera, although it is sitting outside in the
weather. I can't bring myself to cut it up. I was able to use the 3/4 HP motor
from the vaccum pump on a milling machine. Someday I plan to use the pump when
I get to doing 12X20. Anyway, be careful what might follow you home when you
start looking for a big camera.
Leonard
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 2:48
PM
Subject: [Cameramakers] Process camera
for 8x10 and 7x17 enlarger?
Greetings group,
I
am thinking about converting a 14x18 or so process camera into an enlarger
for my 8x10 and possibly also my 7x17 negatives. The primary purpose
is to make enlarged negatives for contact printing.
I
was wondering if I could get some thoughts on what copy camera would be the
best to start with? There are vertical cameras, and horizontal cameras
by various makers out there. I can see an advantage to a horizontal
camera, except that the space may be a problem, and I would need to use some
kind of vacuum easel.
Anyone have any specific recommendations for the
�best� camera to start with? I expect that I may have to go to Ebay
for the camera, as I�m in a fairly rural area, but I will try the local
printers around here once I have an idea in mind.
Also, I need to figure out an inexpensive light
source to start with. I have seen the archives, and expect that a
fluorescent head will be a decent way to start, although not the
cheapest. Anyone try to take several halogen worklights and add a
mixing chamber to make a light source?
I�m
new to this ng, but I have searched the archives, and I find there are many
friendly, and ingenious people on the group.
---Michael
