Kodak Tourist with Anastar lens

[daryl_jorud1]

I recently acquired a Kodak Tourist with an f4.5 ANASTAR lens - a 6 X

9 format folding camera using 620 rollfilm. This camera has a Kodak

Synchro-Rapid 800 Shutter, a leaf shutter having speeds as fast as

1/800 of a second. I haven't been able to locate much information

about this particular model, but am curious about it's lens

performance, shutter reliability, and if anyone has experience in

easily converting these cameras to 120. Kodak historical data states

that the anastar lens came close to the ektar in performance at

"traditional" aperatures. I've not yet used the camera, even though

the shutter operates at all speeds (not sure about accuracy, although

to the ear, there seems to be progressive, linear increases/decreases

as one adjusts the speeds). The shutter speed adjusting ring is

extremely stiff, so it should probably be sent to an experienced Kodak

service technician. Anyone have any recommendations who I should send

this camera to for a thorough exam? If anyone has any experience in

using one of these cameras, I'd like to hear your opinions about it in

relationship to the above questions and any other

recollections/opinions you may have. In advance, thanks very much!

 

Daryl Jorud

[alec1]

I used one of these back in the 60's and thought the resolution was great! I'm afraid the shutter is prone to problems, however, and I finally got a Century Graphic. Focus carefully, stop down and you should be pleased with the result. I never heard of one of these being converted to 120. Because of the shutter, I wouldn't spend the money.

[gene_crumpler6]

Respooling 120 to 620 spools is easy, once you get the hang of it!. I used a kodak tourist many years ago(my fathers) and more recently tried it with a roll of tech pan (respooled 120). I was suprised that the lens performed well for an older triplet! It is a good introduction to MF, but the need to guess focus I found was a limitation for me.

 

E-mail me and I will explain how to respool 120 to 620. Only one little trick to it.

[gene_crumpler6]

My current E-mail is <nikonguy@worldnet.att.net>. I changed my ISP recently and for some reason, photo.net shows the new one sometimes and the old one sometimes.

[mike_le_fevre]

I've read the kodak tourist is easy to convert to 120 by using a little rotating grinding tool (a dremel tool) and grinding out some tiny rod-shaped sticky-outy bits in the film compartments (at the top and the bottom).

Regards

Mike

[daryl_jorud1]

As a matter of fact, that is exactly what was done to my camera. There is a bit

more to it than grinding out the excess material, however. It is also necessary to

replace the "key" at the end of the short shaft underneath the winding knob. This

"key" must fit into the end of the 120 film spool rather well to allow for smooth

advancement of the film to the next frames. My camera had a new piece machined

out and then silver soldered into place to accommodate the 120 spools with the larger

key on the end. This requires utilizing the services of someone with a mini-lathe. The

important thing to remember when doing the conversion is to be neat in performing

the changes. The small rotary grinders are great, but one has to use care so as not

to slip up and accidentally mar nearby internal parts. Anyway, after the conversion is

done, you will have a very serviceable camera capable of providing great photos.

The anastar is a front cell focusing len that is capable of doing a very respectable

job. According the some information I found on the net about Kodak lenses, the

Anastar was capable of producing results practically up to the Ektar on the Medalist

series. (The Medalist, btw, is known to have one of the sharpest lenses ever!) I

would assume that this is at mid aperture settings as the Medalist Ektar is not a front

cell focus design. Critics of front cell focusing lenses point out that resolution at the

periphery of the image circle is degraded somewhat, especially when focusing at

close range. This may or may not be a disadvantage to the user, depending on the

application. If you can find a Tourist with Anastar lens, go for it! You will be

impressed.