phillip_p._dimor

There is a chance that some Contax or Yashica eyecup will fit..

I have a GAF L-ES (same as a Chinon CE Memotron, great shooter) and it uses a rectangular eyepiece that is about the same as my Yashica TL Electro X..

 

I asked a similar question a while back as I wanted an eyepiece magnifier and ref converter that could be used on all of my slr's.

 

I also remember seeing one or two on ebay a while back so they are out there, but I can't remember if they were round or rectangular.

This is kind of a stupid reply, but perhaps a homemade 4x5 hobo camera? Not sure about a finder and you'd lose the ability to focus but a 65 SA wouldn't need all that much focusing, right?

 

My Crown Graphic with spring back (stripped mostly) is gorgeously portable IMHO.

Fred, I think those pics look great! I'd be proud to have taken them.

I've been going through a 100sht. box of 4x5 Arista .edu film, and haven't noticed an increase in dust. I believe most manufacturers used to package sheet film with paper interleaving 'back in the day'.

If anything, I have trouble making sure that i've removed the paper from the backside of the film. I've actually managed to load the film and paper into a holder.

 

You say that you're using a bag? I use my darkroom and do my work on a freshly wiped-down desk. The paper just gets tossed onto the floor.

Perhaps that could be a solution for you, as I wouldn't want to load sheet film in a changing bag (too clumsy..)

Nice job! I hope you gave yourself a good pat on the back!

Paul! Thanks! That's good to know, I think i'll keep my eyes peeled for one now :) Thanks again!

The Minolta 7s has this funny shutter/aperture system and I do believe it needs a battery to function properly. Without a battery, only the iris operates and the shutter clicks but doesn't open.

That was my experience atleast, the battery shouldn't be expensive at all.

 

It's not a tough camera to disassemble, unless you have to get inside the lens. The top cover isn't bad at all. It's a good shooter, a bit big for a rangefinder I suppose (compared to the Canonet's which are too small for me) but the lens is FANTASTIC!

I think they are fantastic cameras. Mine was working wonderfully until the shutter started to stick occasionaly. If you cock the shutter and fire it over and over again sometimes you can just work it free.

 

If you are more daring, consider purchasing a lens spanner wrench and you could probably try removing a lens element to gain access to the shutter blades.

 

My beloved 7s kicked the bucket when the entire lens barrel separated from the camera.. Sad.

 

You do have good batteries in there, right? Silly question I know.

I remember seeing a polaroid reflex viewer for an MP-3 (or MP-4? I forget) process camera on Ebay that was adapted/hacked to fit a graflok back. Could be possible?

Try this; Push the battery insert in with your palm and see if that does it. The battery insert contact springs lose their 'springyness' with age. Sometimes you have to clean them with an eraser and bend/pull them out so they make better contact with the battery insert.

 

Also maybe try cleaning the other contacts on the grip itself?

Atleast you were able to round it down to the grip..

Beau, that is gorgeous.

I, too, was expecting a sledgehammer..

I like to use plastic petri dishes to hold parts. Both the tape and cloth hints are good ones! I'll have to remember that.

 

I've also had good luck working in shallow trays..

I do the same as Nicola. My reels won't really let me pull it out, it's much easier for me to twist the reel open and pluck the entire spiral of film out.

Edmund Scientific also sells similiar 50/50 beam splitter glass. A good carbide scribe is all you need to cut it up to size.

Success! Took all of 20 minutes. The ASA dial wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The worst part was realizing that I had to use tape on the battery check button to keep it from falling out when I placed the cover back on.

 

The plastic 'ears' on the prism, of which springs latch on to are broken off. I used an extra piece of foam on top of the prism so it wouldn't jiggle around. Seems to be a common weak point? It's the same way on my TL Super.

 

Thank you all for the help!

Jon! Thank you thank you thank you! I'd have never of figured that out by myself! Thanks again!

I have a Yashica TL Super. The fit and finish are great, the camera feels wonderful in my hands. The shutter and film advance are gorgeous, very positive sounding. I often fire the shutter and advance just to hear it.. It's a nice camera.

 

If you like slightly larger cameras, the Yashica's are great as they look big next to a Pentax K1000. The Fujica ST's are nice but they are too small for my hands, even smaller than the Pentax K1000.

 

My favorite right now though is the GAF L-ES or Chinon CE II Memotron.

Aperture priority(!), electronic shutter, nice accurate meter, good hefty feel in your hands, nice size, etc.

 

I think that a lot of nice Spotmatic's go for too much money at times.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if it were at a good price. Definitely do look into the Yashica's though!

 

PS- Those Yashinon lenses are gorgeous! Even better when you realize that they sell for next to nothing!

Peter; How large is the easel? I'm not sure what you consider to be a lot, but generally vacuum pumps and easels tend to sell on Ebay. I've seen warped vacuum easels from process cameras sell for $30 to $50.

 

I haven't been keeping up with vacuum pump prices but can say that there is a market for good vacuum pumps, especially Gast and other nice makes.. Just my $0.01

I use it with the focal plane shutter on my 4x5" Speed Graphic.

I'm not sure what you could mount it into, but a large Packard shutter or something similar would work well for your purposes i'd imagine. I am kind of curious though, how are you holding the lith film in your box camera?

 

I've thought about maybe bastardizing a process camera and using the vacuum easel.. So many ideas and me with not enough money!

Hello all. I've recently found myself on an m42 screwmount buying

binge. The latest orphan, an (almost) immaculate Yashica TL Electro

X came to me for a very short song. I've replaced the foam seals and

mirror bumper and everything is great, except for one small catch.

 

The viewfinder is gritty, with bits of deteriorated foam rubber on

BOTH sides of the fresnel screen. I decided to try and remove the

top cover.

 

The only part that I can't figure out is the shutter speed/asa dial.

I can't remove the top without somehow removing the dial. I've tried

using a bit of rubber to 'unscrew it' but it won't budge. I'd rather

not break it in the process of 'fixing' it.

 

Has anyone had any experience with disassembling this camera?

 

BTW the camera is very nice to use.

I have a JML 8.25"/f8 lens, marked 'Goodkin Astro'. It's really, really sharp. I'm not sure about coverage as i've only used it on a 4x5 camera. Did I mention that it's really sharp? Sounds like a great project you have there!

Our college darkroom had a large film dryer. In retrospect I think it was a lab dryer salvaged from the biology department, but your film was ready to print in 10 minutes and it saved a lot of hassle.

I have a single Patterson reel that i've been using for atleast five years. It was my first plastic reel, actually. And before it was mine, it was used in the local High School photo courses. (with a student population of something like 4500 students..)

 

It worked fine for about 3 of those 4 years, up until I started using PMK Pyro.. The reel is now permanently (I believe) stained a coffee color and every roll of film just binds up. I've scrubbed and dipped and washed and cleaned. I've even tried silicone spray on the bearings and I've tried every combination of wiping and scrubbing and washing and cleaning.. Ugh.

 

Have you found a solution yet? These reels are pricey compared to stainless steel ones on Ebay, but I'd rather load a plastic reel with 35mm. 120 and stainless is the only way for me.

Just my $0.01 cent.

Michael, have you checked out Abelardo Morrel?<br><br>

<a href="http://www.edelmangallery.com/morell.htm">Abelardo Morrel</a><br><br>

He does the same thing but with black plastic sheeting and a pinhole in the middle (i believe)..<br>

Just thought that might be interesting to check out if you haven't yet. Sorry if you've known of this! :)

I forget the person who turned me on to www.specialtybottle.com, but they seem to have great prices on standard lab jugs. The Amber Boston Rounds are the same kind that Microdol-X was packaged in a while ago.

<br><br>

That being said, I've been using Jim Beam handles for most developers without a hitch. The bottles sit in a cupboard as well.

<br><br>

<a href="http://www.specialtybottle.com">Specialty Bottle</a>