Camera questions: new to 4x5

<p>Hello all,<br>

I just received my used Omega View 45C View Camera w Schneider Xenar 135mm f4.7. I'm pretty excited about trying it out! Once out of the box and set up I began exploring and found some things that left me wondering:<br>

The front left-right movement is very hard even when the screws are completely loose. IS there a way to lubricate this movement?<br>

Some of the tightening levers really don't lock the camera down tight. For example I can daily move the micro-focus even with the lever in the tightened position. Can the tightness of these levers be adjusted? Or would I have to replace them?<br>

The bellows appeared good initially but now I'm seeing what might be a few pin holes. I know there are recipes for repair, but I'm planning on asking the seller to pay for new bellows (the camera was advertised as having light tight bellows)<br>

So if I get new bellows, I assume the Toyo 4x5 will fit the Omega?</p>

<p>Thanks everyone in advance for any assistance -</p>

<p>Joe</p>

<p>If I remember correctly, the 45C will accept standard Toyo 4x5 monorail bellows, so another Toyo bellows should work. As for the front shift, my two Toyos ( 45F and 45G) both have detents at the zero point, and perhaps yours is a bit stiff. I wouldn't lubricate it, but if you work it back and forth a few times it might feel better. Don't expect to get a lot of camera movements from that Xenar-it won't have much covering power at infinity.</p>

<p>I have read that Andrew. I'm thinking of this as a starter camera. I want to work through the whole large format process to see if I want to stick with it. If so, I'll invest in a used lens that allows a greater range of movements.<br>

I'll work the front shift to see if that works. As is is I can barely budge it!</p>

<p>From the description you posted you need to<br>

1. return the camera and look for another not needing as much repair work,<br>

2. learn to do basic mechanical repair and fix it yourself,<br>

3. send it to a repair shop, expensive, or someone like me than can clean and lube it for half the cost of a repair shop.</p>

<p>There is a major difference between a light tight bellows and a new bellows. There are many repair techniques than can return a light leaking bellows to light tight condition that will last for years with moderate to heavy use.</p>

<p>Causes and possible solution(s):<br />Stiff standard movements: dried lubrication. Disassemble, clean, lube, reassemble. Flushing with an aerosol degreaser may help. ( http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/CRC9/05103/N0439.oap?ck=Search_N0439_-1_2743&pt=N0439&ppt=C0090 )</p>

<p>Pin holes in the bellows: (A) paint the inside of the bellows with black or ebony washable fabric paint thinned 25% to 50% in 2 to 3 coats; (B) paint the inside with carbon black acrylic artist paint thinned up to 50% in 2 to 3 coats, or © coat the exterior with black Plasti Dip ( http://www.plastidip.com/home_solutions/Plasti_Dip , http://www.lowes.com/pd_42518-61158-11603-6_0__?productId=3543512&Ntt=plasti+dip&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dplasti%2Bdip&facetInfo= ) in 1 or 2 thin coats. <br>

<br />Focus locks: worn or dirty friction pads, lock knob threads. Clean associated parts, fabricate new pads if necessary, add spacer to lock mechanism to allow it to be tightened more.</p>

<p>On my 45C you can adjust the tightness of the focus locking levers by turning VERY GENTLY/DON'T FULLY TIGHEN with a allan wrench the screw that hold it. Sometimes they work loose and that's all that required to fix that movement.<br>

Bellows can be replaced on that model by design. Just pull up the tabs that hold the frame in place and you can get a new bellows for it.<br>

As for the front shift I don't think it should be that tight.<br>

Cheers, and enjoy your new view camera.</p>

<p>Liquid electric tape for the light leaks. Just apply to the spots you identify as leaks by the simple test of placing a light bulb inside the bellows and moving it back and forth along each corner line and tracking each corner pleat. You need to use a bulb rather than a flashlight because the focused beam from the flashlight may not be able to turn enough to point at the little corners on a 4x5. Be sure you have the bellows at nearly full extension while testing.</p>

<p>Thanks all - I used a bright LED light to check the bellows and they are very, very hole-y. Funny too because they really don't look bad from the outside, which is probably why the seller thought s/he could get away with selling the camera as light tight.<br>

Good news though - the seller agreed to refund $100 of the $400 purchase price to pay for new bellows. I see a number of companies from China and Hong Kong selling new for Omega/Toyo 45C on the major auction site, so will go with one of those.<br>

I'll try the various adjustments too, as suggested here. To bad though I was really looking forward to trying my hand at large format. Now I'll have to be patient.<br>

I bought a 2nd used 4x5 Omega that should be here in a couple days - I'll post questions I have about that next.</p>

<p>Joe--The 45D doesn't have an interchangeable bellows, so if this one isn't good it is more of a pain to change. I have used Toyos for 30 years, and the one complaint I have had over that time is that the bellows don't seem to last all that well. Be aware that the Hong Kong/Chinese sellers usually don't include the plastic frames that couple the bellows with the camera, so you have to take those from your bad bellows. There are also two kinds of frame, so be sure you check yours before you order your new bellows.</p>

<p>Joe,<br>

Go to your local hobby and crafts store, http://www.michaels.com/ and get some Tulip Soft black washable fabric paint http://www.ilovetocreate.com/Tulip-Soft-Fabric-Paint-222 and an economy artist paint brush or two with a half inch wide soft bristle.<br>

Expand the bellows fully on the camera, remove the lens board and focus panel or back. Cut the handle of the artist brush so that it is about half the diagonal of the bellows inside. take an empty 35mm film can and fill it half full of the fabric paint. Add water to bring it to near full. Stir until the paint and water are fully mixed.<br>

Using the artist paint brush paint the inside of the bellows at the corners to an inch each side of the corners the full length of the bellows using a liberal amount of paint. Allow to dry for a day and repeat. Allow to dry for 24 hours after the second application then close the bellows. They may be stiff but will close and if not refold at the pleats as they were originally. Recheck for light leaks and spot paint any you find. If you applied even coats of paint there will not be any.<br>

You are now ready to use your camera. The repair will last a long time and you may decide not to replace the bellows for a while.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Every time I have bought a budget camera or enlarger I have regretted it. Usually it ends up being replaced with something expensive after a while. My suggestion is to use it as it is, even if there is a bit of fogging (you can usually avoid fogging by draping a good dark cloth over the bellows). If you find yourself liking LF, sell it on Ebay and get something decent. Suggestions: Linhof, Ebony, Sinar. Even the Sinar f, which is not really a field camera, and not at all in the same class as Linhof or Ebony would be a big improvement. Another great 4x5 which is often available used for about $400 is the Plaubel. It is roughly a $5000 camera new.</p>