What to do with a fungally challenged Flexora TLR?

[Terence]

I have an old Flexora TLR that is in great shape, other than a fungally challenged taking lens. The film transport, focusing panel, etc all operate fine. I'm looking for suggestions from the Dr. Frankensteins out there who rip apart old beasts to make them into new beasts. I've converted old folders into pinhole cameras, etc, but the TLR with it's focusing panel seems to cry out for something different. The existing lens is a 75mm POS roughly 1" in diameter, with a functioning shutter. How easy would it be to remove the lens elements and maybe replace them with a pair of long lens epoxy-welded to the face-plate, and keep the shutter functioing. Sort of a poor man's tele-Rolleiflex. I'm assuming there's too many mechanical components behind the faceplate to widen the opening, but I could be wrong. Anyone have a suggestion for likely transplants? My LF lenses are probably too big, and I don't have any pairs. Maybe some of the Surplusshed.com offerings?

[Gerald Koch]

If the fungus has not yet attacked the glass you might disassemble in lens and clean the elements. Cemented elements can be separated by soaking in acetone. You can buy modern lens cement to put them back together.

Be careful and take notes as you disassemble things and note which direction lens elements point.

[Terence]

The glass looks pretty eaten up. I basically got the camera for free from a lot of several cameras, so I'm more interested in having a little fun with a conversion. I already have a Rolleicord for regular use.

[k_jupiter]

The glass looks pretty eaten up. I basically got the camera for free from a lot of several cameras, so I'm more interested in having a little fun with a conversion. I already have a Rolleicord for regular use.

Every once in awhile a brilliant thought comes out of know where and Zaps you in the head. Terence, you is a genius.

I have had a pair of Mamiya 180 lens element sets sitting around for the last 6 months wondering what to do with them. They can't go on my 2x3 Speed Graphic cause there ain't no iris. but... I need to find a crapped out Yashica 635 body to turn into a hacked TLR portrait camera for 135 film. And yes, I already have a 180mm for my C220.


Thanks,

tim in san jose

[Andre R. de Avillez]

Terence,

at one point I had a Flexora TLR in the same state (but the film transport was iffy, the shutter died and came back, then died, etc...). I just used it as a portrait camera, and got good results from it. Just remember to shade the lens, and don't do any serious work until you are sure of what you will get from it.

Or just hack the camera and have fun :).

BTW, here are some results that 75mm Ennagon with fungus gave me:

http://home.comcast.net/~avillez/pictures/portrait/calado.jpg (http://home.comcast.net/%7Eavillez/pictures/portrait/calado.jpg)

http://home.comcast.net/~avillez/pictures/self/auto_studio.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~avillez/pictures/landscape/bomba_6x6.jpg

anyway, you get the idea...

good luck,

André