Pink Panther ? ROARING !!!

This is the new version of the PINK PANTHER Commemorative Edition.

 

This time it has changed coat to black. This new model includes all the

improvements added to the original prototype.

 

Comes in as the lightest weight contender in the 4x5 format handheld cameras at

1.5 lbs.

 

Fully RF coupled from 3.5ft to infinity, parallax corrected, Zeiss Rangefinder

without quadrangulation.

 

Back accommodates regular film holders, Grafmatic six-shooters, Polaroid and

roll film holders. The film holders are positively and securely fastened to the

back therefore eliminating the possibility of slippage.

 

Comes with optional Ground Glass, which is useless for this model, since it is

best used handheld (why add more weight?).

 

Has a useful *RED BUTTON*, not for ergonomic features like other models, but to

surely fire the shutter. This eliminates the "tail" flapping out in the breeze

as in a permanently attached shutter cable release that can get in the way when

the bellows is retracted and the camera door is closed (ouch!). The "Red Button

" allows the camera to be held by two hands, not by one holding the camera and

the other holding the shutter release --- Blurry photos.

 

The *Red button* mechanism has been applied for patent, so copycats, get your

paws off this one, or the cat will come to scratch you.

 

This camera has a self unfolding bellows and front standard. It is recommended

to use it with a Grafmatic to allow a fast and speedy photographic experience!

 

Does not need maintenance, as the RF is sealed and it does not contain unwieldy

linkages inside. No need to remove the front element of the lens to close the

camera, this one has a spring loaded door that eliminates dust collection in the

lens.

 

Accepts permanently mounted lens shades and filters, no need to remove these

before closing the camera, as there is no door to interfere.

 

Neck strap included to prove that the camera is not a "brick" and that it can be

carried all day long. Lighter than a Nikon SLR with a small telephoto.

 

This is the most responsive, lightest, most practical and easy to use 4x5

handheld, which is the ideal testing camera for LF photographers that take them

rappelling on 75 ft cliffs and other unusual environments.

 

Roaring!<div></div>

Another image.

Another...

Another view.

Addtional image.

Finally.

Alright Diwan!!!

 

I was wondering just a few days ago what you were up to since I haven't seen you post in awhile. I'm glad to see you are still working on good designs for inexpensive point and shoot large format cameras; keep it up.

 

For those of you not familiar: Diwan has very subtlety mocked a certain camera maker who charges a lot of money for a modified Polaroid 110A. It wouldn't be so bad if he did not take his work way too seriously; giving new meaning to the concept of "puffery" when it comes to advertising.

Nice modification. I've got a model 420 which looks very similar to your camera. Do you

think a 4x5 modification is possible with mine? What lens have you installed?

Frank R: Thanks, this one is an improvement on the previous prototype. It does the same thing, except that the side mounted shutter release made lots of blurry photos so the "red button" connection to the shutter improves things quite a bit. A piece of complicated machinery to activate that thing. Took me a while to figure it out. Smooth shutter release now.

Vinny:

 

Yes, you can do it, it is not rocket science. Just make sure that your model has good bellows, and the rest is just patience.

 

The lens installed here is a Rodenstock Ysarex 127mm. Any lens which has more or less that focal lenght will work in there.

 

If you can get your hands on an Ektar 127mm from a Speed Graphic, that will be the best. These, today when bought separately cost less than the Rodenstocks that come with a camera attached which becomes instant junk. Moreover, the Prontor SVS that come with the Rodenstocks, are not that reliable, unless you want to get them serviced, which adds to the total cost of the camera.

 

Yes, you can do it. A sharp coping saw is what you need to do clean work.

<p>Great Job Mr. Bhathal!!<br>

Had a long string of comments ready, but the program would not send them. If you would share your<br>

e-mail address with me I would like to forwards some pictures and comments.</p>

<p>Thanks<br>

Don Newburn (the.newburns@verizon.net)</p><div></div>

<p>Whoops!! -- Wrong photo.<br>

I have elected to dabble with the Polaroid Pack film cameras as well and have come up with some ideas that may or may not hold water.<br>

1. The focal length of the original pack cameras can be tampered with by drilling new hole(s) in the focusing slide arm assembly. By locating holes to the left of the original hole, you can effectively cause the bellows forward extension to be shortened accordingly.<br>

2. Will the "curve" of the rangefinder/lens relationship be significantly altered and throw the focus off?<br>

3. Removing the front half of the lens/shutter sandwich of the orginal pack and then grinding the back half level provides the ability to mount a front standard from a 23 graphic and thereby accommodate interchangeable lenses.<br>

Don Newburn</p>

<p> </p>