jamesevidon

How did you couple a Nikkor lens to the Hasselblad X Pan? I have looked high and low for a lens adapter that will take third party lenses.

Thanks. That clears it up.

In reviewing the Hasselblad Flexbody CP as an additional equipment for my Hasselblad 500C/M I noticed that among the 120 format masks, there is also a 4x5 mask. I don't believe the camera can shoot 4x5 since it is made to accept the Hasselblad 120 magazines. So what is the 4x5 mask used for?

Good point.

Really nice image. From time to time I also open up my old negative and transparency files and occasionally scan one or two.. Sometimes I think I was a better photographer then than I am now. As convenient as digital is, the old manual film equipment forced one to think and take time before shooting. I suppose that is why, in the last year, I have been re-acquiring film camera equipment, mostly in medium and large format. This Covid-19 lockdown has put a crimp in my efforts, so I am patiently waiting to crawl out of hiding and get to shooting.

Try Glennview.com (index.htm) This website store is full of old stuff for view cameras, press cameras and everything large format including 8x10 and larger that you probably won't find elsewhere.

Your comments were helpful. The Horseman with the increasing back looked like an erector set fix for turning it into a4x5. Solution? I bought a pristine Super Graphic 4x5. It's fairly light weight for a large format camera, comes with a rangefinder, Schneider 135mm lens with Synchro Compur, revolving back and Graflok. :D

I read an article about balsam separation that was interesting. Among other things it stated that carefully putting the lens with concave surface up in a temperature controlled oven at 300 degrees will soften the balsam liquid to state and with the concave surface up, the air gap in the separation will migrate up and out leaving the balsam intact and no longer separated. I'm not dumb enough to try it, but it sounds like an interesting approach. I tend to leave camera repairs to the experts and just take pictures. I don't know what process my camera technician uses but he told me it was not complicated and he usually charges around $200 or so to re-cement the lens; whatever that means.

Separations may not be serious depending where the separations are. Obviously, your example showing separations across the element needs fixing. Separations can be remedied by a good camera technician with the right equipment. The balsam cement dries or shrinks, etc. I got a quote for about $200 or more depending on what's needed for recementing. So a lens with separations can be restored.

rodeo_joe|1. and dan_fromm|2, Thanks for your responses. I sort of figured that would be the answers to my questions, but as a newbie to large format, I didn't want to walk into a situation where I'd end up with the wrong equipment. I am a long time user of 35mm film and digital. I recently went back to using film as well and have a Plaubel Makina 67. From there I added a Brooks-Veriwide 6x9 and now I am hungering for 6x12 for landscape/panoramas. I did buy a beautiful Zone VI with a 150mm, but I found it too limiting using a 6x12 roll back. You know;.. focus with a hood, slide in the roll back, shoot. Remove the roll back, refocus new subject, slide in the roll back and so on. I am now looking for a 4x5 with a clip-on or built-in rangefinder, optical viewfinder and focus independent from the ground glass...etc. I appreciate the helpful responses and stay healthy in these troubled times.

I am considering purchase of a Horseman VH-R even though it is only 6x9 format. I am also considering purchase of a Horseman Increasing back (6x9 to 4x5 inch) that will allow me to shoot 4x5 as well. Do the Horseman Increasing backs accept Graflok type roll film backs or only non-Graflok backs? I realize there are obvious other options for 4x5 and can buy Graflex made press cameras with Graflok as well as Linhof etc. But the Horseman is a lot lighter although with the addition of the Increasing back the weight difference may be insignificant. increasing back? Does anyone have any knowledge about the Graflok compatibility issue with the Horseman 6x9 to 4x5 increasing back?

Contact Camera Wiz by e-mail and pose your question. He is considered the top Makina repair person. I had my Makina CLA'd by him. He's a straight shooter. Frank Marshman camerawiz@msn.com

It is a bit more money, but I recommend the Plaubel Makina 67. I was able to buy a very clean one that did not have a functioning exposure meter for around $1K which is really an excellent price. The 6 x 7 images are really spectacular. Nikon went all out on this lens. The huge viewfinder/rangefinder is really bright and contrasty. It is quite compact and not all that heavy. It is currently undergoing a CLA which will bring the meter back to life. I was very lucky to find it at this price. Another great choice would be the Zeiss Super Ikonta B or BX. They can be had for around $500 or so in really great condition. Certo6.com can CLA these folders for not a lot of money. Jürgen is a really good guy and knows his stuff.

Now that I've shot a test roll in my Brooks-Veriwide, there are apparently some light leaks. Looking at the light trap with the back opened, I see that there is neither felt or foam in the light trap grooves. Is this normal and relies only on the flat black surfaces of the light trap groove, or do I need to have someone fit and install foam? Note: The dark slide slot is already taped over and shouldn't be a light leak source. Can anyone help me?