Beseler 4x5 camera instructions?

[beau_schwarz2]

Just recieved a Beseler 4x5 camera I won on ebay. Does anyone know

how they work? A prior poster said he contacted the Beseler company

for help. Does anyone have a current address or phone number for

this company? Thanks...

[david_m]

Most 4x5 cameras are not hard to figure out. They have a method of loading a film holder in the back, a method of racking in and out the bellows and usualy various movements of the front standard - which are controlled by knobs. What is the mystery? Does the camera have a focal plane shutter?

[francois_gauthier]

Most 4x5 cameras are quite similar. So, some book about 'large format view cameras' would teach most of it.

[jnanian]

beau

 

from what i remember beseler made that camera for the us airforce. it is very similar to a

speed graphic. you might try http://www.beselerphoto.com/ --- i think they may still

have copies. if they don't, try http://www.graphlex.org .

 

my friend really likes his beseler camera -- good luck!

 

john

[andrew_crump]

Ive got one of these and have been trying to get a handbook for sometime --they now seem to be unavailable--unless anybody is willing to let me have a copy.

This camera is well ahead of its time in terms of features -but underdeveloped as regards reliability--it would be interesting to know whether your rangefinder mechanism is complete and if the focal plane shutter works properly

[mark_rossano]

I have two of these cameras. I recently overhauled one using the parts from the second. Be careful. Although a very clever and modern design for its day, these cameras are rather fragile. That's why the USAF cancelled the contract after one year and returned to the Graphic camers. I don't have the time to write a whole set of operating instructions, but I'd be happy to answer specific questions, as I've stripped these things down pretty thoroughly, and am therefore one of the few people who actually knows how they work, inside and out.