<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: shadow1234 on 2002-03-02 06:02 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: shadow1234 on 2002-04-12 17:43 ]</font>

>delete<

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: shadow1234 on 2002-04-12 17:46 ]</font>

The Crown View is a 4x5 version of the venerable Kodak 2D. I'm not saying the prices are out of sight , but the camera certainly is scarce. For function, value, and ease of aquisition, a Kodak 5x7 2D with a 4x5 back will do the same thing, will have better flare control, and a longer bellows than a Crown view and will be made by the same company (Graflex Inc, or Folmer Graflex) as the Crown View. these usually sell on ebay from $200-$300.
Granted it will be heavier and may open the door to 5x7 format, which, from your collecting penchant, may not be a good idea.

For the Graphic View II I would check out the various camera stores in your area or check for camera shows near you. I paid about $500 for my GVII with a 270mm lens and lens board, the GVII uses a 4X4 inch lens board so your lens boards should work with it.

Okay, a lensboard strong enough to hold a 300mm lens for a 4x5 view camera?

I use a 360mm lens on my homemade 4x5 view camera. The rear glass must be removed and attached through the back and bellows. The image is really bright on the ground glass!!! The lensboard I use is a Bender 4x4x1/8 inch black plastic lensboard. Any strong dark plastic should work. The hole size is about 2-5/8 inches in diameter. I made a plywood template and used my router with a guide to make the mounting hole. The lens weighs about 4 pounds. You can view it on my web site. http://www.angelfire.com/art/architecturalphoto . It's shown mounted on my homemade 8x10 view. While you're there take a look at the 'Graflex Directory of instruction manuals' link.

Correction: Now I remember, I actually used a flush cutting router bit with a roller on its tip. The plywood template hole was subdrilled and then I used a round sander on a drill press to enlarge the hole to the exact diameter. The four inch square lensboard was centered over the template hole and blocked on all four sides. A 3/4" (+ or -) diameter hole was drilled through the plastic center to accept the router bit. Depth was adjusted so the bit roller would ride on the perimeter of the template and the lensboard was shimed so the cutters would cut through the full depth of the plastic. The template took about an hour to build and the routing took about 30 seconds.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: hmartin@tns.net on 2002-02-20 11:52 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: hmartin@tns.net on 2002-02-20 11:55 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: hmartin@tns.net on 2002-02-20 22:03 ]</font>

Quote:

On 2002-02-20 11:49, hmartin@tns.net wrote: Okay, a lensboard strong enough to hold a 300mm lens for a 4x5 view camera? I use a 360mm lens on my homemade 4x5 view camera. The rear glass must be removed and attached through the back and bellows. The image is really bright on the ground glass!!! The lensboard I use is a Bender 4x4x1/8 inch black plastic lensboard. Any strong dark plastic should work. The hole size is about 2-5/8 inches in diameter. I made a plywood template and used my router with a guide to make the mounting hole. The lens weighs about 4 pounds. You can view it on my web site. http://www.angelfire.com/art/architecturalphoto . It's shown mounted on my homemade 8x10 view. While you're there take a look at the 'Graflex Directory of instruction manuals' link. <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: hmartin@tns.net on 2002-02-20 11:52 ]</font> <font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: hmartin@tns.net on 2002-02-20 11:55 ]</font>

Nice site. Where were you standing when you did your Bridge of the Americas shot?

Cheers,

Dan

Dan
I was standing on my cabin's private balcony. The cruise ship had just completed passage through the Panama Canal. The other side of the ship had a great view of Panama City.
Best Regards, Harry

Arlington Camera in Arlington Tx has a Crown View for $300. I don't know what kind of shape it is in, but from several feet it looked alright.

Neal

TO: Neal-Do you have an email or land line
for Arlington Camera? I would appreciate it.
Thanks, Norman

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<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: shadow1234 on 2002-04-12 17:34 ]</font>