mark_schumann

I just finished building a 4 X 5 Bender. It was a realy great project. It was also a huge investment of man hours. If you want a camera fast buy a used one or buy a Calumat Cadet for $400. The Bender will cost you almost that in the end with all the stuff you will buy making it. And of course the lens is not included. The finished camera is something I would never sell. I just got my first photos back from the lab and so far I am pleased. Bender offers great support. Guess what! They make a pinhole camera kit.

The Sept/Oct 97 issue of View Camera magazine has a article titled "Cheaper Glass". It mentions and compares the Osaka lenses to some better known brands. Overall, the conclusion was that they are good value for the money. The 150mm model is a 6 element design, the others are 4 element tessars. I'm not sure but a reprint of the article may be on View camera's website. Bromwell also has a website.

What is the best technique to clean the frosted side of a ground glass? I'm talking about when blowing the dirt off doesn't work. Can you wash them under hot water and soap and rinse off really well. Or should you rinse with alcohol.

I came across a used Schneider 65mm f/8 Super Angulon (chrome barrel) in mint condition at a reliable camera repair shop. I like the (about $325) price on this lense. I would like to use it for 4 x 5 landscape photography using color transparency film. However, I feel that it may not work that well because of it's very small image circle. I am concerned that I may get vignetting on the corners of my film. Even with no camera movement at all. These lenses are about half the cost of a used 75 mm lense, but they are about the same price new. That is for the current f/5.6 model. Does anybody have experience using this lense? Should I buy it, or should I just forget it and save up for a 75mm or 90mm Super Angulon?