Old Calumet 4X5 questions

"Lilly" <littlebabynothing1 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1110662010.514466.209050@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
 > i just purchased an old calumet 4X5, it's silver, i think it's the
 > CC-400 model. It has a spring back, but it doesn't appear that I can
 > change the back from a horizontal to a vertical position. It looks like
 > it was built fixed in the horizontal position. Is there a way to change
 > it, or am i out of luck? Also, the tripod mount is a little recessed,
 > does anyone have any suggestions of what kind of tripod would fit?

If your camera's back is like mine, it should have a lever, indicated by
the red square in the following picture:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://ca.geocities.com/penate@rogers.com/calumet/rear2.jpg" target="_blank">http://ca.geocities.com/penate@rogers.com/calumet/rear2.jpg</a>
By moving the lever up, the rotating back is free to turn to any position
you'd like. The tripod mount fit just about any tripod with 1/4-20 screw
thread, which is standard almost everywhere. This image (barely) shows the
camera mounted on the platform of a small Gitzo ball head
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://ca.geocities.com/penate@rogers.com/calumet/side2.jpg" target="_blank">http://ca.geocities.com/penate@rogers.com/calumet/side2.jpg</a>

Guillermo<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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Lilly wrote:
 > i just purchased an old calumet 4X5, it's silver, i think it's the
 > CC-400 model. It has a spring back, but it doesn't appear that I can
 > change the back from a horizontal to a vertical position. It looks like
 > it was built fixed in the horizontal position. Is there a way to
 > change it, or am i out of luck? Also, the tripod mount is a little
 > recessed, does anyone have any suggestions of what kind of tripod would
 > fit?
 >
It is way better than you think. It has a revolving back, which means that
you can have it horizontal, vertical, or anywhere in between. You can
insert the film holder from the top or from either side (possibly an
advantage if you are left handed).

If it is now horizontal with the opening for the film holder at your right
as you face it from the back, you will find a silver lever just underneath
the spring back near the middle. In one position, the back is locked, and
in the other, it is free to move. Set it to the free position and you can
move the back anywhere you like and then tighten it. It is not labelled.
You do not have to move it more that 45 degrees, perhaps less. You should
not need to test your strength on it.

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Lilly wrote:

  >> It is way better than you think. It has a revolving back, which means
  >> you can have it horizontal, vertical, or anywhere in between. You
  >> can insert the film holder from the top or from either side (possibly
  >> an advantage if you are left handed).
  >>
  >> If it is now horizontal with the opening for the film holder at your
  >> right as you face it from the back, you will find a silver lever
  >> just underneath the spring back near the middle. In one position, the
  >> back is locked, and in the other, it is free to move. Set it to the
  >> free position and you can move the back anywhere you like and then
  >> tighten it. It is not labelled. You do not have to move it more that
  >> 45 degrees, perhaps less. You should not need to test your strength
  >> on it.
 >
 > I found it. that's cool. don't even have to take apart like some of the
 > newer cameras. so as far as a tripod, I should get one that has a
 > screw top? the quick release won't fit?
 >
The quick release is usually two items. A simple plate of some kind that
screws to the bottom of the camera and a gizmo that screws to the top of
the tripod. Then the plate on the camera slides into the gizmo on the
tripod and a lever or something locks them together.

It is said to be more convenient than using the screw of the tripod
directly in the camera. I never got one of those quick releases. For one
thing, my main camera has a 3/8" Whitworth (I believe the threads are) in
it and my Gitzo tripod has a 3/8" screw to fit. While it is true that I
could get 1/4" screws (the camera will actually accept either), it seems
more secure with the bigger screw.

SO: if you have used the quick release in the past and prefer it to the
screw, by all means use it. If you do not have one, I would not bother
unless you find screwing the camera on and off is really too much trouble.


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The CC-400 that I have has a rotating back. It's been a while but there
should be a lever that locks into place. One of the nice things about it
is that you can rotate the back as much as you want. You're not limited to
Horizontal and vertical.

If you can't find the locking lever I can go dig out my CC-400 and tell you
where it's at.


Lilly <littlebabynothing1.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:
: i just purchased an old calumet 4X5, it's silver, i think it's the
: CC-400 model. It has a spring back, but it doesn't appear that I can
: change the back from a horizontal to a vertical position. It looks like
: it was built fixed in the horizontal position. Is there a way to change
: it, or am i out of luck? Also, the tripod mount is a little recessed,
: does anyone have any suggestions of what kind of tripod would fit?

: thanks
: kelly


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Lilly <littlebabynothing1 DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:

: Jean-David Beyer wrote:
: > Lilly wrote:
: > > i just purchased an old calumet 4X5, it's silver, i think it's the
: > > CC-400 model. It has a spring back, but it doesn't appear that I
: can
: > > change the back from a horizontal to a vertical position. It looks
: like
: > > it was built fixed in the horizontal position. Is there a way to
: > > change it, or am i out of luck? Also, the tripod mount is a little
: > > recessed, does anyone have any suggestions of what kind of tripod
: would
: > > fit?
: > >
: > It is way better than you think. It has a revolving back, which means
: that
: > you can have it horizontal, vertical, or anywhere in between. You can

: > insert the film holder from the top or from either side (possibly an
: > advantage if you are left handed).
: >
: > If it is now horizontal with the opening for the film holder at your
: right
: > as you face it from the back, you will find a silver lever just
: underneath
: > the spring back near the middle. In one position, the back is locked,
: and
: > in the other, it is free to move. Set it to the free position and you
: can
: > move the back anywhere you like and then tighten it. It is not
: labelled.
: > You do not have to move it more that 45 degrees, perhaps less. You
: should
: > not need to test your strength on it.
: >
: I found it. that's cool. don't even have to take apart like some of
: the newer cameras. so as far as a tripod, I should get one that has a
: screw top? the quick release won't fit?

You shouldn't have any trouble with a quick release tripod head. My tripod
and CC-400 work fine together.

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On 12 Mar 2005 13:13:30 -0800, "Lilly" <littlebabynothing1.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com>
wrote:

 >i just purchased an old calumet 4X5, it's silver, i think it's the
 >CC-400 model. It has a spring back, but it doesn't appear that I can
 >change the back from a horizontal to a vertical position. It looks like
 >it was built fixed in the horizontal position. Is there a way to change
 >it, or am i out of luck? Also, the tripod mount is a little recessed,
 >does anyone have any suggestions of what kind of tripod would fit?

I have a 1966 C-401 and the back is tight but you just rotate it.

THOM
 >
 >thanks
 >kelly
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 >
 > You shouldn't have any trouble with a quick release tripod head. My
tripod
 > and CC-400 work fine together.
 >
what brand/model of tripod do you have?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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Lilly <littlebabynothing1.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:

: >
: > You shouldn't have any trouble with a quick release tripod head. My
: tripod
: > and CC-400 work fine together.
: >
: what brand/model of tripod do you have?

Sorry to take so long to get back to you. I let someone use the tripod and
don't remember off hand the model #s of the tripod and head.

The tripod is a Manfrotto (Bogan) 3021BPRO and the head is a Monfrotto 3047.

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