Need Assistance with Some Identification

[bobwysiwyg]

My film background thus far has been limited to 35mm B&W, but have always wanted to try my hand with a view camera. I recently acquired a Cambo 4x5 set-up that was to have included a manual, but the seller is still looking for it (sigh). I'm sure if they don't come through, I will find something somewhere.

Of course, I couldn't let a little think like that stop me from setting it up and tinkering a bit. It included a 150mm Schneider lens, some film holders, various lens boards, what appears to be a sync cord, etc. and an aluminum carry case for it all. There are a few things I don't quite understand.

The first picture (left) is the camera set-up. It appears the back standard is from a different model given it is not black like the front. The 'thing' (#1) I hung off the lens end, is this a lens shade.. I believe I have seen a reference to "compendium?" Also in this picture, does the rail appear to be standard length (it came with a second rail of the same length) and why are there, what appear to be, additional tripod mounts (#2) hanging from the ends?

There are some misc. pieces in the second picture, some of which I'm guessing came from an entirely different camera. One of them is a bag bellows (#1), in excellent condition, but must be from an 8x10? There is a GG screen labeled 8x10 (#4) and an additional 4x5 GG (#5). The real puzzlers are #2 and #3. Number 2 is some sort of right-angle bracket and number 3 is a short piece of solid aluminum stock with another tripod mount affixed.

OK, if I haven't bored anyone yet, one last question about operation. I did see my first image through a ground glass. The is a flat spring bail that appears to be the way to raise the ground glass and slip a film holder in place, it this correct? Looks like I will be looking for another tripod. The one it is on now is for 35mm work and the head is definately not rigid enough for this camera. Any thoughts or answers would be greatly appreciated.

[Sparky]

just looks like an older model cambo sc. the front and rear standards are either from a diff. vintage or else from an accessory standard. See if the bag bellows mates on the front. could be part of an 8x10 sc conversion - as with the GG. I'd guess the part labeled no.2 is a filter holder of some sort. Might mate onto the end of the compendium - or not. the piece of bar stock..? no idea. could be from something else. See if the clamp on it works with the rail. That'll tell you something. Could POSSIBLY be an extension piece. The rail looks about normal to me.

[bobwysiwyg]

The mount on the aluminum bar stock does fit the rail(s) so I guess I now have no less then four tripod mounts. The L-shaped metal bracket doesn't appear to mate or attach to anything I can see.. yet.

The bag bellows, well, can't see that fitting this camera in any way. The opening at the small end is 4 and 5/8" square and the opening at the large end it 9.5" square. Both end openings are surrounded by a recess, the smaller end is 1/8" wide and the larger end recess is 1/4" wide.

[philldresser]

The small bar in picture 2 labelled #3 looks like a travelling bar used where you put both front and rear standards (inc bellow) onto it to keep them together when travelling. Looks homemade but cambo rail can be made from 1" aluminium box rail

Also the silver standard looks like my SC, he black looks like an SC2

[bobwysiwyg]

Thanks, makes sense about the alum. bar.

[bobwysiwyg]

just looks like an older model cambo sc. the front and rear standards are either from a diff. vintage or else from an accessory standard. See if the bag bellows mates on the front. could be part of an 8x10 sc conversion - as with the GG. I'd guess the part labeled no.2 is a filter holder of some sort. Might mate onto the end of the compendium - or not. the piece of bar stock..? no idea. could be from something else. See if the clamp on it works with the rail. That'll tell you something. Could POSSIBLY be an extension piece. The rail looks about normal to me.

Can you elaborate on this 8x10 conversion? Otherwise, anyone else have a clue of what the bellows fits based on the dimensions?

[Sparky]

well you'd need an 8x10 standard to make it work for sure. But the 8x10 cambos tend to use a 4x5 front std and 8x10 rear. So IF the small end of your bellows mates perfectly with your 4x5 std... then that's what it is.

[bobwysiwyg]

well you'd need an 8x10 standard to make it work for sure. But the 8x10 cambos tend to use a 4x5 front std and 8x10 rear. So IF the small end of your bellows mates perfectly with your 4x5 std... then that's what it is.

You're right, it does. Now that's an unexpected little bonus! Not sure what the chances are of chasing down a proper rear standard, but... it would be fun to try 8x10. Of course it would require another lens.

[Nick Zentena]

Cambo made the parts to fit together. This way you add the 4x5/5x7 in front you get a long bellows 8x10. Or if you mount the samller back you get a smaller format camera. This also means a range of rail lengths were sold.

The extra tripod mounts are for when you use two tripods -) Long heavy lenses are better with a tripod under the front standard and one further back.

[Sparky]

Of course it would require another lens.

Unless you're doing close-up/macro work...