Ebony Extension Back 452

Thingy · Post by **Thingy** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:57 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Here are some photographs for those Ebonites (like me) who drool at the sight (let alone the touch) of their kit. Here is the Extension Back 452, which I've just acquired from Ffordes, secondhand.

Taken with: Olympus E-3 + 50mm/f2 Macro lens (RAW files)

Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 10:38 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Looks very nice... would make a great pinhole camera

Thingy · Post by **Thingy** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:19 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:Looks very nice... would make a great pinhole camera

It would, but surely that's what Clarkes shoe boxes were designed specifically for - once they've been blackened inside and modified?

Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:33 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Clarkes shoe boxes also have that nice smell of leather too!

I fortunately have progressed from the shoe box phase...

Thingy · Post by **Thingy** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:24 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:Clarkes shoe boxes also have that nice smell of leather too!

I fortunately have progressed from the shoe box phase...

Paul

That's a very handsome shoe box you have there! I'm impressed that it even has an adjustible vent (open or closed) and takes a film holder. That's a evolutionary epoch event in the maturity of shoe boxes to something caressable with twiddly things too!

Does it take photos as good as the Clarkes Shoebox camera?

Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 3:46 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Thingy wrote:Paul

That's a very handsome shoe box you have there! I'm impressed that it even has an adjustible vent (open or closed) and takes a film holder. That's a evolutionary epoch event in the maturity of shoe boxes to something caressable with twiddly things too!

Does it take photos as good as the Clarkes Shoebox camera?

You should see the shoes that came in it! Seriously now... I had never seen, touched or breathed in the aroma of an Ebony up until I attended a L&L LF workshop a few weeks ago. There were no less than 5 Ebony's within the group and they were things of wonder indeed... he said with no hint of jealousy...

Aender · Post by **Aender** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:30 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

There has been an Ebony extension back 452 on eBay for a few weeks now (and it still is at the present moment, at 300/325 €). I have been considering this rare opportunity as a useful accessory for my SW45. Although it would allow me to use longer lenses (up to 240mm), get more bellows draw for close-up work or even add rear movements, I finally abandoned the idea because it would just add bulk and force me to buy another lens. I am very happy with the SW45 and only 3 lenses from 65mm to 150mm.
I used to have a 692 extension back for an SW23 (that I no longer have), but it didn't get much use.

BTW, I have bought one other item from the seller who offers the extension back on eBay. The item was in mint condition and the service was excellent too.

Aender · Post by **Aender** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:33 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:Clarkes shoe boxes also have that nice smell of leather too!

I fortunately have progressed from the shoe box phase...

Paul, what is the name of this beautiful pinhole camera? What format is it?
Thank you.

Thingy · Post by **Thingy** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:45 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul Mitchell wrote:
Thingy wrote:Paul

That's a very handsome shoe box you have there! I'm impressed that it even has an adjustible vent (open or closed) and takes a film holder. That's a evolutionary epoch event in the maturity of shoe boxes to something caressable with twiddly things too!

Does it take photos as good as the Clarkes Shoebox camera?

You should see the shoes that came in it! Seriously now... I had never seen, touched or breathed in the aroma of an Ebony up until I attended a L&L LF workshop a few weeks ago. There were no less than 5 Ebony's within the group and they were things of wonder indeed... he said with no hint of jealousy...

I hope to receive the actual camera in the next month (fingers crossed) and want to come along to one of the annual get togethers: so long as they are disabled accessible. You are welcome then to stroke my Ebony and take some images on it if you like? In return could I stroke your Lobbs shoebox camera ( it must be a Lobbs shoebox as they make the best men's shoes) and would you show me how something so elegant actually works?

Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 2:11 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Aender wrote:Paul, what is the name of this beautiful pinhole camera? What format is it?
Thank you.

Aender, it's a Zero 50B part of the 5x4 pinhole camera range from http://www.zeroimage.com/web2003/EntryP ... ameset.htm
The back shown is a Polaroid 405 pack film holder but takes ordinary darkslides as well. Here's a sample from the camera

Thingy, of course I'll let you stroke mine... if you'll let me stroke yours

I'm hoping to make the Maldon get together so might see you then?

Nigels · Post by **Nigels** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:48 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Paul, Thats a lovely shoebox. Looked at the site. Its a pity they don't do a 10x8 version. I would definately be interested if they did.

One question - Are the laggy bands a good solution? I'd worry about them weathering and degrading over time. I suppose they are easy to replace though.

I have already been down the "make my own pinhole camera from a leggo box" route. I was surprised when I took the photo on Ilford Multigrade paper and then contact printed to a second piece of multigrade that the contact print came out so good through the paper.

Made my own pinhole with the trusted projector method for determining the size of the hole and therefore the equivalent F-stop for the focal length I was using. Turned out ok but had to load a single sheet in the darkroom so not very practical.

Thingy · Post by **Thingy** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 5:51 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Nigels wrote:Paul, Thats a lovely shoebox. Looked at the site. Its a pity they don't do a 10x8 version. I would definately be interested if they did.

Perhaps this will be of interest to you?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/10x8-Pinhole-Came ... 240%3A1318

Post by **Paul Mitchell** » Wed Apr 01, 2009 6:05 pm Etc/GMT-1+01:00

Bob Rigby do ready made 10x8 pinhole cameras http://www.bobrigby.com/products.html but they're a bit pricey... I'm sure a good chippy would knock one up in no time at a fraction of the cost.

And yes Nigels the laggy bands are easy to replace... he says after losing dozens of them, they can ping quite a way!