My first 5x7 picture

[photobizzz]

Camera looks nice, very nice. As for the flare I use lens hoods on all my lenses. I can't afford the proper compendium shade for my Toyo 45A, it costs almost as much as I have in the camera so I use metal screw in shades like one would on a SLR lens, they seem to do the job for me and if you can't find the proper size; like keithwms mentioned use adapter rings. It will not help much when shooting directly into the sun though.

As for drying I ran into the same problem, also the negs slipping from the clip when drying so I am building a small drying cabinet out of a rubbermaid tote, galvanized photo frame wire, the binder clips you use to hold bunches of paper with the little fold over chrome handles, a 120mm - 3 speed, PC fan, and a 3X3.5X.5" HEPA filter. I am drawing the air flow through the HEPA filter rather than blowing on the negatives and the filter is high left and the fan is low right on the opposite side of the tote to create a cross breeze. Just my method, there are 50 people with diff methods of drying, and I use just a few drops of photo-flo in the 4X5 tank when I am finished washing, all that is needed. Hang the neg by the corner and the finger method is safest over a squeegee.

[Bob Eskridge]

Are you sure you have the standards on the rail correctly? Seems to me that the back should be on the short rail and the fold up longer focusing bed is where the front standard goes. The camera will be a little better balanced on the tripod that way.

[Sully75]

As for drying I ran into the same problem, also the negs slipping from the clip when drying so I am building a small drying cabinet out of a rubbermaid tote, galvanized photo frame wire, the binder clips you use to hold bunches of paper with the little fold over chrome handles, a 120mm - 3 speed, PC fan, and a 3X3.5X.5" HEPA filter. I am drawing the air flow through the HEPA filter rather than blowing on the negatives and the filter is high left and the fan is low right on the opposite side of the tote to create a cross breeze. Just my method, there are 50 people with diff methods of drying, and I use just a few drops of photo-flo in the 4X5 tank when I am finished washing, all that is needed. Hang the neg by the corner and the finger method is safest over a squeegee.

Colin, that sounds good...the only thing is, I know from experience that those binder clips rust really quickly. (I use them making yogurt...long story). I think maybe next time I'm going to try to hang the neg more at a diagonal, with a clothes pin at the bottom. Not sure if it will make much difference but I'll give it a try.

Re: the poster who mentioned too much photo flow, I may be guilty in that regard. I did not follow the instructions particularly closely. That might be it.

[Sully75]

Well done indeed!

That's a pretty big drum you're using, right? Maybe you should consider something smaller. How do you know you're getting good even coverage and agitation when you put such a small piece of film into such a big drum? That'd be my concern.

The drum comes with suggested amounts of chemicals...I think the point is that the film is alternately completely in the chemical and completely out of the chemical, as it goes through it's rotation. It worked really well...so stupidly easy. I hope I can get it dialed in right. It's way easier than doing spiral tanks...you just set it and forget it.

[Sully75]

I think the feet are a good point but probably happened as a result of the camera slipping as described. The tonal range is excellent, the focus is excellent, you have good blacks/grays/whites so I think your development is good. One thing that can cause streaks is too much photo-flo. I have not worked sheet film yet (but have a 4x5 to use and now a 5x7 on the way to rework into shape), but with regular film, I think a lot of people use too much photo-flow and it can cause drip marks with residue.

Great job reworking the camera - Looks like you will have many years of good use from it.

Ding Ding! I had set up the picture with no sky and his head more framed by the shed. Not sure when the front slipped but sometime after that. I need to get a lock washer for it.

I think you might be right about the photo flow.

[Sully75]

The print looks a little soft to me.
Is the neg sharp and do you have a focusing loupe?

Keep in mind it's hard to tell here on the interweb.

I would say it's moderately soft. There is some sharpness, but it's softer than I like.

I do not have a focusing loup. It seems like when I'm focusing it's pretty clear when it's in focus. A loup makes that much of a difference than?

I was thinking about getting some magnifying reading glasses from Target, I've heard people mention them. Are they an acceptable substitute?

[Sully75]

Are you sure you have the standards on the rail correctly? Seems to me that the back should be on the short rail and the fold up longer focusing bed is where the front standard goes. The camera will be a little better balanced on the tripod that way.

Yup. The front part of the rail has two gigantic holes in it for the front standard assembly. The camera folds up into a small box (this is a before picture, showing how the rails were glued in wrong):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulmce...7623159051495/

[mhcfires]

Someone really managed to screw up the rails on that camera. It is a wonder it even worked. You did a nice job finishing it. I have one which is in need of some TLC. The bellows are in good shape, the rest of the camera needs some love. I also have a Kodak 2D 5x7 and a Kodak 2D 8x10. They also need work. the #33 is in the best shape, so it has been getting a little exercise. I hope to be able to finish it this summer. Congratulations on a job well done.

[Sully75]

Hi Michael,

I highly recomend Sorin's bellows at DIYcamerakit.com for your other cameras. They are pretty darn cheap and I hope that he can make a go of it, so buy early and often.

Yeah, the rails were amazingly screwed up. The whole camera needed a chiropractor.

[Rodex]

Great job with restoring the camera and the photo looks good also. Congratulations