Burke and James 5x7

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I just got my new toy. It's a Burke and James 5x7. I'm still learning how to use it. I noticed that the back of the camera will come off and I can change the orientation from landscape to portrait. There are 4 pins, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom that hold the back down in landscape while here are only 2 pins on the top of the back in the portrait position. Are the bottom pins that go into the metal clips missing? Over all, the camera is in decent shape. The ground glass has been replaced by a piece of white translucent plastic which I'll replace with a ground glass. There's no lens so I'll have to make a lens board. Can't wait to use it.

[Jon Shiu]

Yes, the pins are missing. You can get some small brass pins at the hardware store (like $1 for a lifetime supply), cut off the heads/shorten and file down the ends. Then glue them in. You can get Kodak Ground Glass at Surplus Shed. Good luck!

Jon

[mike c]

Mainecoonamic,I also have a B&J 5x7 and really like to use it,like to call it Shaky Jake cause of the rear standard is kind of wobbly but have not had blurry negs yet but have to be careful. Its easy to make lens broads for it and can use pretty large lens without to much of a problem.Even stuck a 14" Vario soft focus which has a 4" diameter barrel.

Made a long platform for the extension to help stabilize and center it on the tripod. Jon has a good idea with the pins,have to be careful not to split the wood though.For there price they are a remarkable camera and very versatile, a bit heavy but made well.

Mike

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Hey thanks for the great tips! I knew APUGers would have the answers. Looks like I've got some work to do before I go shooting with it. Cheers!

[mike c]

Let us know if you have any questions,maybe we can help. And know to find 5x7 holders.

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Thanks Mike. I was able to find them on eBay for under $10 each shipped. Is that a fair price? I was the only winning bidder. 5x7 doesn't seem to be a popular format these days. Is my perception true?

[mike c]

$10.00 is a good price. I've paid as much as $35 to $45 for new to very good.There are a lot of junk ones out there that are just to worn out and leak alot so be picky.
Theres more 5x7 shooters than you think,5x7 film is still available and easy to get threw Freestlye and other popular mail order outfits.And a lot of 4x5 lenses old and new will cover 5x7 pretty good.

Mike

[Jim Jones]

Rather than buy brass or steel pinstock at a hardware store for your back, get a small package of nails the right diameter. They are easier to cut or file than steel, and should outlast the camera.

i've used one of those 5x7 B&J for maybe 37 years. This year I bought two more to piece together one really good B&J outfit. They certainly aren't the best camera, but they are certainly good enough for most of us now, and better than many cameras used for some of the classic photos of the 1800s.

[Steve Smith]

Another good source material for pins is knitting needles.


Steve.

[Mainecoonmaniac]

They certainly aren't the best camera, but they are certainly good enough for most of us now, and better than many cameras used for some of the classic photos of the 1800s.

I do like the weight and the compactness of my B&J 5x7. I know what you mean by not being the best, but I can't afford anything more expensive. While it's not the best, I'm used to shooting a Sinar F with the DOF scale with swing and tilt calculators. I did a lot of table top work and I still used Polaroid with all those Swiss bells and whistles. I think the B&J camera will make me a better LF photographer. No DOF, calculators and no Polaroid. Wish me luck I'll need it.