peter_chiappini Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 Hello, I Just acquired a Zeiss Orix 10x15cm Plate camera; is there film available in this format, or will I have to cut sheet film to fit? It came with a 2,5 x 51 Distar that makes for a focal length of 270mm when attached to the 165mm tessar on the camera ; how much loss in quality is there going to be when using this? Also, does anyone know how the ground glass would have originally been mounted to this camera? The ground glass is missing; would it just slide in and out like the plate film holders, would it have been attached to a frame? Thank you, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 Peter -- can you attach an image of the camera, showing the back and the front? I'm pretty sure that you won't find 10x15 film for this. You'll likely have to buy larger sheet film and trim it or build a holder that will allow you to use 9x12, though you'll need to allow for that in the viewfinder. Unfortunately, you're missing the ground glass, which you might be able to make yourself. In general, the ground glass is set in a frame -- usually metal, but sometimes wood. And that frame is attached to a metal frame, which slides onto the back. But if you could post some digital photos, then I think people can offer some comments and advice. By the way, J and C Photography (http://www.jandcphotography.com/) sells film in odd sizes. I bought some 9x12 from them last month. Very quick delivery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted February 7, 2004 Share Posted February 7, 2004 Peter, I was wrong (again). J and C does sell 10 x 15 sheet film. So now you just need the film holders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_chiappini Posted February 7, 2004 Author Share Posted February 7, 2004 Hello Mike, Thank you for the info on the film, the camera actually came with 15 film holders, some Ica and some Zeiss Ikon, one was stuck when I got it and had to be pryed out with a screwdriver and some still had film in them. I'll post some pics of the camera within a few hours. What about making the frame for the ground glass from one of the holders? Thank you, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_chiappini Posted February 7, 2004 Author Share Posted February 7, 2004 If anyone needs to see more pics, let me know. Does anyone have any experience using the "J and C old fashioned film" The description says: "These films are old-fashioned, high silver content emulsions with a look similar to the old Super XX. Because of its thick emulsion, this film responds well to Pyro developers." <p> [image width=800 height=749]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-12/522366/PICT0171.JPG[/image]<p> [image width=800 height=683]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-12/522366/PICT0174.JPG[/image]<p> -Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_chiappini Posted February 7, 2004 Author Share Posted February 7, 2004 http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-12/522366/PICT0174.JPG <p> http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-12/522366/PICT0171.JPG <p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted February 8, 2004 Share Posted February 8, 2004 Peter. Here's what I think: You have two things here. The first is that you need to build yourself a ground-glass frame. If you have 15 film holders, I would use that as a basis. It will give you the correct size of the ground glass, plus an idea of the tongue-and-groove design you'll need. The second thing you'll need is a focusing hood, although you might be able to do without. These generally were self-erecting hoods made from leather. They then folded flat when not in use. I'll post some photos that show the design, which will be important to you. You'll need to maintain the correct lens-to-film plane distance. That actually is easier than it sounds, because you'll have the ground glass to assist. If it's in focus at infinity, then you have the correct distance. But you'll need to run tests to ensure that it's accurate for closer distances. See this folder for photos: http://pages.prodigy.net/mm-elek/cameras/focusinghood This particular one is made of wood, but I also have a ground-glass holder made from aluminum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_gratz Posted February 10, 2004 Share Posted February 10, 2004 I own a Zeiss Orix and can attest to it being a very usable camera, especially with 10x15cm film now readily available. As for the Ground Glass back, you may eventually find one. The camera uses a standard slide-in GG back and since Zeiss-Ikon (and other camera manufacturers) made lots of models in this size they could be reasonably common. Check Jay Tepper: http://jay-tepper.com/ and pacific rim camera: http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/ as both dealers carry accessories. Meanwhile, if you have or can find an old film pack adaptor for the camera that would be much easier to rig as a GG back than a film holder would be. Since the back is meant to open, you would have to do little to turn it into a makeshift GG back. Just fix the GG into the opening of the adaptor. Closing the back and putting in the dark slide gives you an automatic protection of the back! An added bonus. I'll check to see if I have one and would let you have it for the cost of postage. Ron Gratz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_chiappini Posted February 10, 2004 Author Share Posted February 10, 2004 Ron, thanks a lot for that idea, I'll definitely check both of those sites for a ground glass back or film holder. I really appreciate your offer to send me one for just shipping! -Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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