Help Identifying Stuff from a Process Camera

[peter_chiappini]

Hello, I recently drove up to Conneticut to pick up a process camera

I won on eBay. Its obviously too big to fit into a chevy celebrity,

so I was planning on getting all of the important parts off of it.

I was really just expecting the lenses, a 760mm f/11 apo nikkor and

a 480mm f/9 apo nikkor, the very large bellows, and the huge

electronic copal shutter. But there was a ton of other things too.

There were 6 Lumax 1500L Pulse Xenon Lights with a power source that

I think converts 120 AC into 220 AC. Do these have any large format

applications other than what it was used for on the Process camera?

There were also 2 Micrometers or Dial Indicators that measure in

1/100ths of a mm; these I'm assuming were used for fine focusing.

There was a vaccum film back for I think up to 20x24 film, maybe

larger and a ground glass to go with that. I couldn't get the back

of the camera, so I just took the film back and all of the hardware

to attach it to something with. There was also a box filled with

all sorts of flashes and fuses, including a mercury vapor bulb. I

was planning on selling most of these extras on eBay at 9.99 with no

reserve, but if they do have any lf applications maybe I should keep

some of it. I can get a picture of anything if that would help

someone id it. Thank you in advance, Peter

[steve_feldman3]

The 2 process Nikkor lenses may be useable.

 

Having used a 20x24 process camera in the 60's & 70's I can tell you that the lights will be great for heating up a cold studio.

[peter_chiappini]

I've heard some really good things about the nikkor lenses. The pair I have are both multi-coated. I need the money so I'm goin to just sell them before I get attached. I read that pulse xenon lights can fire 3 flashes in a second that last for 2 miliseconds a piece and are a bit brighter than ordinary flashes. They plug into a 220 power source and are marked for 250volts, so they must be pretty bright. I also read something about them having stable arc lines, but I'd have to read a little more to know what they are saying.

[kelly_flanigan1]

The 4 pulsed Xenons we use are 1500W each; and total is 6000W. The main breaker for the camera is like a small old house; 60amp at 230 volts. The strobes fire many times a second; sort of like a disco. The fire/flicker on and off during the maybe 5 to 20 second. The process lenses mostly are used at F22; to quash the field flatness. The bunk statemant that they are flat field is a myth. The Rodenstock data and camera states that the lens are stopped down to quash the out of focus edges; which occurr when used wide open. The lenses are calibrated with each process camera; exact focal lengths ; and repr ratio measured. Our rig has a 19 foot long box section; about 18 to 20" square. Focus is my moving the platten; and lens to calculated positions; our micrometers read to 0.001 inch. There is a cut-out every inch along the rail; for the mike gizo to reference to. <BR><BR>many of these process lenses have added scale gizmos; most limit the minimum f stop to about F45; actual stop on the lenses goes sometimes to F260; yes F260. <BR><BR>Many of these units were built into a building; then a tech stays for two days running tests; to figure the contants for the computer program; which is used to focus the rig. One doesnt on a big camera focus by eye. Smaller less precise cameras do; and dont use a computer. <BR><BR>Before the PC came out; we used an HP-97 calculator; before that others. <BR><BR>The PRIME reason the type of lenses is used in a process camera is for ZERO distortion. This is so panels of maps; aerial photos; etc; align together. An enlarging lens might be sharper; but they usually has a few percentage distortion; which toataly screws up any precise matching of panels.<BR><BR>Process cameras are either rail on floor; rail overhead; or a short compact vertical rig. The vertical rigs sometimes used smaller negatives; and more wider angle lenses (sometimes)<BR><BR>Most all of these proces cameras were scrapped over the last 15 years; obsolteted by the Xerox type copiers; that are digitally based; and do enlarge and reductions; with less overhead.<BR><BR>You might want to get the back and bellows; and make a ultra large format camera. <BR><BR>Our rig weights at least a ton; the square box sections are filled with steel punchings; to quash any vibrations.<BR><BR>Normally; the sector shutter on ours is opened by a timer; then a second or to later the Pulsed Xenon strobes fire; then the strobes turn off; then the rotor shutter closes. <BR><BR> We have 3 lenses; a midget 360mm F9; a 600mm F9; and a 890mm F14<BR><BR>Pre WW2 process lenses were uncoated; and later they got single coatings;; maybe in the 1950's....<BR><BR>When used in a process camera situation; there is no flare; so coatings are not a big deal<BR><BR>When used outside; the demand a HUGE NICE hood; to keep the contrast up....<BR><BR><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/1238404-lg.jpg">

[kelly_flanigan1]

the lens board has an up and down; and left and right lead motored screws; controllable in the other room; where the camera back is. the sector shutter is hidden behind the lens board. The plastic arm on the lens goes to the arced scale; which allows the fstop to be adjusted; fstop versus magnification analog computer. (no software:)<BR><BR>Any old lith film is probably still ok; it is only about asa 6; doesnt fizzle out fast with time.

[kelly_flanigan1]

The bellows in the photo will extend about twice or more; it is now "bunched up". <BR><BR>The top rail above the bellows has a rod; that comes out of the top rail; to support the bellows when it is really stretched out.<BR><BR> This is so the bellows doesnt sag into the top of the image.<BR><BR>

[peter_chiappini]

Kelly, thank you very much for your reply. I really don't think I have much of a use for most of this stuff, and I kind of need the money so I will probably sell it all off. Are the pulse xenon lights worth anything? How about the micrometers, I'm not even sure thats what I have though. I'm going to post a picture, maybe someone know how to use them. Thanks again, Peter

[Jochen_S]

The mercury vopor bulb is usually used to expose blueprint-material or maybe small offsetplates. Maybe you'll like the vacuum-back to hold paper under your enlarger. I haven't tested it, I unluckily have no room to slaughter process cameras.