Questions about my new Ansco 5x7

"Nick Zentena" <zentena RemoveThis @hophead.dyndns.org> wrote in message
news:kcpcu1-bm8.ln1@barley.dyndns.org...

 > The back on the camera I got seems to be an extension back.
 > It's a good inch deep. Not a bad thing considering the bellows are only
 > about 17" but I'm not sure I can focus a 150mm lens at infinity. Are all
the
 > backs this way? What size is the tripod mount? It isn't 1/4" or 3/8". I
 > doubt it's metric. I think I'm missing a rear rail but the bellows I have
 > are a good fit for the two pieces I have. If I could figure out how to
mount
 > it on a tripod I think it could be taking pictures now. It needs a good
 > cleaning and the wood could use some wax to make it travel easier but
other
 > then that it seems good to go.

Tripod mounts are 1/4"x20 or 3/8"x16. I give the whole metric so that you
can go to the hardware store and pick the right part from a bin. Seriously,
it's standard American threading. Use 3/8". Probably the best way to set up
a tripod mounting hole is to use one of these:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://course1.winona.edu/jstafford/part.jpg" target="_blank">http://course1.winona.edu/jstafford/part.jpg</a> (size 3/8"x16). I drill pilot
holes for the 'spikes'. Alternatively there is the same part without spikes,
but with four holes in which you can place small screws. (The part goes into
the wood from the other side so that the long part faces the tripod surface.
That way when you draw down the tripod screw, it pulls the fastener
tighter.)

The bellows is actually far longer than it has to be for a 150mm lens. Just
compress it until you have focus and there you are.

I do a lot of this kind of work. Please feel free to ask for more
information.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

"Nick Zentena" <zentena.RemoveThis@hophead.dyndns.org> wrote in message
news:c5scu1-3u8.ln1@barley.dyndns.org...

 > I took the tape measure to it and I think it's really a 5x7 reducing
back
 > from an 8x10.

Best make certain. You could have one of those offbeat metric backs. Have
you checked the Efke film site? They have all the different films you could
ask for at good prices - even metric sizes.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

jjs <nospam.RemoveThis@please.xxx> wrote:

 >
 > Best make certain. You could have one of those offbeat metric backs. Have
 > you checked the Efke film site? They have all the different films you could
 > ask for at good prices - even metric sizes.


No the camera came with some old Lisco 5x7 holders and one fogged sheet of
film. Well it's fogged now-) I think somebody in the past salvaged a back
from an 8x10. The bellows also seem to have been replaced some time in the
past.

Nick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

jjs <nospam DeleteThis @please.xxx> wrote:

 >
 > Tripod mounts are 1/4"x20 or 3/8"x16. I give the whole metric so that you

Right now I'm thinking it's either not those or that it's 1/4" but the
screw on my tripod isn't long enough to engage. It's smaller then 3/8" that
much I'm sure of.



 > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://course1.winona.edu/jstafford/part.jpg" target="_blank">http://course1.winona.edu/jstafford/part.jpg</a> (size 3/8"x16). I drill pilot

I think Lee Valley sells those in the jig department. Something else to
add to the list.


 >
 > The bellows is actually far longer than it has to be for a 150mm lens. Just
 > compress it until you have focus and there you are.


No the problem is the distance from the ground glass to the front of the
lensboard is too far. I checked the Scheinder website and the claron needs
151mm to the back of the shutter. I measured 6" from the lensboard to the
front of the lenboard. So it's kind of close. Assuming I measured right. A
recessed lenboard would fix it I guess. So would a back without the extension.

Thanks
Nick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

"Nick Zentena" <zentena DeleteThis @hophead.dyndns.org> wrote in message
news:5p1du1-7b9.ln1@barley.dyndns.org...
 > jjs <nospam DeleteThis @please.xxx> wrote:
 >
  > >
  > > Tripod mounts are 1/4"x20 or 3/8"x16. I give the whole metric so that
you
 >
 > Right now I'm thinking it's either not those or that it's 1/4" but the
 > screw on my tripod isn't long enough to engage. It's smaller then 3/8"
that
 > much I'm sure of.

Then it's 1/4"x20. If it is anything else, then it's something someone made
up. I prefer 3/8", but even Linhof used 1/4" on their Master Technika.

 > No the problem is the distance from the ground glass to the front of the
 > lensboard is too far. I checked the Scheinder website and the claron needs
 > 151mm to the back of the shutter. I measured 6" from the lensboard to the
 > front of the lenboard. So it's kind of close. Assuming I measured right. A
 > recessed lenboard would fix it I guess. So would a back without the
extension.

What circle of coverage does that 150mm have?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

jjs <nospam.RemoveThis@please.xxx> wrote:

 >
 > Then it's 1/4"x20. If it is anything else, then it's something someone made
 > up. I prefer 3/8", but even Linhof used 1/4" on their Master Technika.

The camera must be 50+ years old so anything is possible.

 >
  >> No the problem is the distance from the ground glass to the front of the
  >> lensboard is too far. I checked the Scheinder website and the claron needs
  >> 151mm to the back of the shutter. I measured 6" from the lensboard to the
  >> front of the lenboard. So it's kind of close. Assuming I measured right. A
  >> recessed lenboard would fix it I guess. So would a back without the
 > extension.
 >
 > What circle of coverage does that 150mm have?
 >


It's supposed to be 80 degrees so 250mm. Scheinder claims less but I don't
think anybody believes them. I held the lens on the front of the camera and
it covers. Wasn't in focus but then I was holding one lensboard in front of
the other one adding even more distances from the film plane.

Nick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

"Nick Zentena" <zentena.RemoveThis@hophead.dyndns.org> wrote in message
news:p05du1-sj9.ln1@barley.dyndns.org...
 > jjs <nospam.RemoveThis@please.xxx> wrote:
 >
  > >
  > > Then it's 1/4"x20. If it is anything else, then it's something someone
made
  > > up. I prefer 3/8", but even Linhof used 1/4" on their Master Technika.
 >
 > The camera must be 50+ years old so anything is possible.

But even my 100 year-old Century 8x10 uses 1/4" TP thread. Anywho, let
us know, eh? Sounds like a great project!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

"Nick Zentena" <zentena DeleteThis @hophead.dyndns.org> wrote in message
news:kcpcu1-bm8.ln1@barley.dyndns.org...
 >
 > Hi,
 >
 > The back on the camera I got seems to be an extension
back.
 > It's a good inch deep. Not a bad thing considering the
bellows are only
 > about 17" but I'm not sure I can focus a 150mm lens at
infinity. Are all the
 > backs this way? What size is the tripod mount? It isn't
1/4" or 3/8". I
 > doubt it's metric. I think I'm missing a rear rail but the
bellows I have
 > are a good fit for the two pieces I have. If I could
figure out how to mount
 > it on a tripod I think it could be taking pictures now. It
needs a good
 > cleaning and the wood could use some wax to make it travel
easier but other
 > then that it seems good to go.
 >
 > Thanks
 > Nick

Ansco/Agfa made four view cameras:
1, Commercial View, 8x10 only. This has a built-in bed
extension on the back and also takes an external extension
on the front like a Kodak 2D. The total bellows extension is
36 inches.
The front extension fits into two sockets on the sides of
the front and there is a cam and key fastener in the center
of the same type used for fastening the folding section of
the bed.

2, Universal View, made in 5x7 and 8x10 sizes. Similar to
the Commercial view but has only the internal extension.
Bellows draw, 8x10, 26-1/2 inches, 5x7, 20-1/2 inches.

Both the Commercial and Universal had reducing backs
available. The 5x7 reducing back for the 8x10 is flat, the
4x5 back for the 5x7 is on a small riser.

3, Standard View Camera, a 5x7 low cost camera. It has a
fixed front. Maximum bellows draw, 14 inches.

Agfa/Ansco also made a low cost 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 view camera
called the Universal Junior. This has front focusing only.

There was a _lensboard_ extension for the two 8x10
cameras which increased distance by about 4-1/2 inches.

Both the Universal and Commercial View cameras have two
1/4-20 tripod sockets on the bottom, one on the front part
of the bed, one on the cross-brace of the back section. Both
8x10 cameras are equipped for use on a sliding bed block,
the 5x7 Universal does not have the side groove for the bed
block. The bed block also has two 1/4-20 sockets on it for
use on various tripods and camera stands.

The short bellows sounds like the Standard View camera.
If it has a fixed front and only rear focusing that's what
you have.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk DeleteThis @ix.netcom.com



The box back does not sound standard.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

Richard Knoppow <dickburk.DeleteThis@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

 >
 > 2, Universal View, made in 5x7 and 8x10 sizes. Similar to
 > the Commercial view but has only the internal extension.
 > Bellows draw, 8x10, 26-1/2 inches, 5x7, 20-1/2 inches.
 >
 > Both the Commercial and Universal had reducing backs
 > available. The 5x7 reducing back for the 8x10 is flat, the
 > 4x5 back for the 5x7 is on a small riser.

 >
 > Both the Universal and Commercial View cameras have two
 > 1/4-20 tripod sockets on the bottom, one on the front part
 > of the bed, one on the cross-brace of the back section. Both
 > 8x10 cameras are equipped for use on a sliding bed block,
 > the 5x7 Universal does not have the side groove for the bed
 > block. The bed block also has two 1/4-20 sockets on it for
 > use on various tripods and camera stands.
 >
 > The short bellows sounds like the Standard View camera.
 > If it has a fixed front and only rear focusing that's what
 > you have.


Hi,

  It's front axis tilt,rise/fall and shift. Rear base tilt and swing.
Focus on front and back. There is one tripod mount on the front but not on
the back. I was thinking it wouldn't be that stable with the front location
and the bellows racked out. I'm about 99% sure the bellows have been
replaced some time in the past. They look way to good to be orginal. The
outside dimensions of the back are about 10"x12" which is why I don't think
it started life on the camera. Everything has Ansco name plates. I don't
know maybe somebody took a few cameras apart and made one good one?

Right now my plan is to glue in a block in the rear rail for a tripod
mount.

Thanks
Nick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

jjs <nospam RemoveThis @please.xxx> wrote:

 >
 > But even my 100 year-old Century 8x10 uses 1/4" TP thread. Anywho, let
 > us know, eh? Sounds like a great project!


I found a hair pin inside the bellows. I'm not sure I want to know what
kind of photos this camera took-)) Hopefully not too much of a project. So
far just adding the tripod mounts and cleaning.

Nick<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

I learned a few more things cleaning it up today. The back
started life out being some sort of sliding back. It still slides but it's
only setup for 5x7. The back actually adds just over 2" of extension. I'm
not missing a rail. What I had thought might have been a rear rail
attachment screw was in fact a little knob for the hook on the camera to
grab when you fold up the camera. Shifting the front right is kind of stiff
but other then that the cleaning and waxing seems to have put things right.
Famous last words I guess. Just need to get a tripod mount setup now.

Nick
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

"Nick Zentena" <zentena.DeleteThis@hophead.dyndns.org> wrote in message
news:79sdu1-08b.ln1@barley.dyndns.org...
 > Richard Knoppow <dickburk.DeleteThis@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
 >
  > >
  > > 2, Universal View, made in 5x7 and 8x10 sizes. Similar
to
  > > the Commercial view but has only the internal extension.
  > > Bellows draw, 8x10, 26-1/2 inches, 5x7, 20-1/2 inches.
  > >
  > > Both the Commercial and Universal had reducing backs
  > > available. The 5x7 reducing back for the 8x10 is flat,
the
  > > 4x5 back for the 5x7 is on a small riser.
 >
  > >
  > > Both the Universal and Commercial View cameras have
two
  > > 1/4-20 tripod sockets on the bottom, one on the front
part
  > > of the bed, one on the cross-brace of the back section.
Both
  > > 8x10 cameras are equipped for use on a sliding bed
block,
  > > the 5x7 Universal does not have the side groove for the
bed
  > > block. The bed block also has two 1/4-20 sockets on it
for
  > > use on various tripods and camera stands.
  > >
  > > The short bellows sounds like the Standard View
camera.
  > > If it has a fixed front and only rear focusing that's
what
  > > you have.
 >
 >
 > Hi,
 >
 > It's front axis tilt,rise/fall and shift. Rear base
tilt and swing.
 > Focus on front and back. There is one tripod mount on the
front but not on
 > the back. I was thinking it wouldn't be that stable with
the front location
 > and the bellows racked out. I'm about 99% sure the
bellows have been
 > replaced some time in the past. They look way to good to
be orginal. The
 > outside dimensions of the back are about 10"x12" which is
why I don't think
 > it started life on the camera. Everything has Ansco name
plates. I don't
 > know maybe somebody took a few cameras apart and made one
good one?
 >
 > Right now my plan is to glue in a block in the rear
rail for a tripod
 > mount.
 >
 > Thanks
 > Nick

What you have is a Universal View. It sounds like its
been modified. The bellows should have a length of about 21
inches, since yours are only 14 inches its likely this was
part of the modification. My 5x7 Universal View must have
been built around 1940. Its bellows are original and in good
condition. My 8x10 Universal View is a war time camera. Its
bellows were a mess, I replaced them. Leather can be very
long lasting but is sensitive to the way its kept. From what
I can find out many leather dressings actually shorten the
life of the leather.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk.DeleteThis@ix.netcom.com<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7 

"Nick Zentena" <zentena RemoveThis @hophead.dyndns.org> wrote in message
news:na1fu1-f7e.ln1@barley.dyndns.org...
 >
 > I learned a few more things cleaning it up today. The
back
 > started life out being some sort of sliding back. It still
slides but it's
 > only setup for 5x7. The back actually adds just over 2" of
extension. I'm
 > not missing a rail. What I had thought might have been a
rear rail
 > attachment screw was in fact a little knob for the hook
on the camera to
 > grab when you fold up the camera. Shifting the front right
is kind of stiff
 > but other then that the cleaning and waxing seems to have
put things right.
 > Famous last words I guess. Just need to get a tripod
mount setup now.
 >
 > Nick

There was a sliding back attachment for the 8x10 which
allowed two exposures on a single sheet for portrait work. I
don't see anyting like this for the 5x7 but the catalogues I
have may not be complete.
I found my 5x7 Universal View complete with case, lens,
camera stand, accessories, at a yard sale being sold as
_furniture_.


--
---
Richard Knoppow
Los Angeles, CA, USA
dickburk RemoveThis @ix.netcom.com<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Questions about my new Ansco 5x7