Film cameras
ANOTHER THE CALUMET 4X5 VIEW CAMERA User manual
User manual for ANOTHER THE CALUMET 4X5 VIEW CAMERA. 21 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Various brands
- Model / document
- ANOTHER THE CALUMET 4X5 VIEW CAMERA
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 21
- File size
- 4.3 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
Check this year's prize winning pro-$lhy-e- fessional photographs. Or thumb
through any fashion magazine and
glance at the illustrations. Chances
are, seven times out of nine, these professionslphotographs were taken with a view
camera.
In every field, the versatile view
camera is tremendously important.
For instance, commercial photo-photogrophers graphers specializing itt advertising
photography find it indispensable.
They compose and design their
photograph right on the ground preferthe glass; or when the layout is fur-
nished, it is traced on the ground
glass-then the subject matter is
photographed to conform exactly to vlettttumgrtl the layout. In no other type of cam-
era has the p h o t o g r a p h e r s u c h
control over his composition.
If you look through the product photo files of the big names in the
automotive industry or any industrial plant that makes wide use
of photography . . . you will find that view camera shots predominate.
The professional photographer finds more enjoyment and satisfaction
in working with a view camera, because he knows that the swings and
controls will enable him to produce the photograph exactly the way
the customer wants it. Actually, view camera adjustments permit the
lens to see like the human €!€, for it permits the correction of image
distortions inherent in lens design.
When you use it, you'll agree that you don't waste many shots with
a CALUMET. Ordinarily, you can be sure and safe with just one.
TWO MODELSFROMWHICHTO CHOOSE
l. The STANDARD 4 x 5 CAMERA is designed for Ienses having
normal covering power over a 4 x 5 negative format, with a L6"
bellows extension, making it suitable for all normal view camera
work, including wide angle with moder ate use of swings.
2. The LONG FOCUS 4 x 5 CAMERA is built with a 22" bellows,
for those who prefer to use longer focal length lenses. (Not recom-
mended for wide angle work. )
Ca, lLrrTret
M A N U F A C T U R I N G C O M P A N Y 6 5 5 0 N . C L A R K S T .
c H t c A G o 2 6 , t L L . . 7 4 3 - 2 4 4 2
2
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whotwill columet's sll metsl 5 vrewc0meros doforyou? ... plentyf theygiveyou..o @ tgOZ Columet Monufocturing ComponyView original page 4
Page 5 · Read text
+>goodfe0s0nsWhy
columet4 x 5 viewcomeros
AnswerALLyourneedsl
q
Rising,folling front Verticol swings to
to shoot something, eliminote perspec-
o b o v e o r b e l o w tive distortion.
you.
lr
Revolving bock (ro-
Spring bock releose t o t e s i n c o m p l e t e
g i v e s e o s y , f o s t c i r c l e l o l l o w s f o r
l o o d i n g . . . w i t h n o chonges in oriento-
iorring, no chonge tion without chong-
of cqmero position. ing tripod.
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t . VERTICAL SWINGS (30 degrees) are pivoted on the optical axis. To correct
distortion or increase depth of focus in vertical plane. Can be locked in
any position by simple turn of knob. spirit levels, mounted on top of
camera back, indicate when camera is level.
2. HoRlzoNTAt swlNGS, both front and back, are pivoted on the optical
axis. Can be swung 12 degrees in either direction for horizontal distortion
correction, and for increasing depth of focus.
3. HoRlzoNTAt stlDE makes it possible to move film and lens up to 74,,
in either direction when obstruction prevents centering camera on subject.
Both front and back have this adjustment.
4. RlSlNG-FAttlNG front is easily controlled, locks in any desired position.
3" rise, t' fall. used when it is desired to include more of the top of a
tall building, or some other subject, or to eliminate excessive foreground,
without tipping the camera.
5. SMAtt slZE, light weight, portable. LLrz' high, 8" wide. Modern tech-
niques make enlargements of 4 x b sharp, satisfactory.
6. ALUMINUM FRAME, satin-finished, gives complete rigidity, has long life.
Attractive, well-designed, it is built for years of service.
7. REVotvlNG BACK enables camera to be used not only in vertical or
horizontal positions, but at any point throughout a complete circle. This
permits dramatization of an ordinary subject through the use of an
unusual camera angle. ft ako enables you to make horizontal alignment
without adjusting tripod.
8. BEttows are tough, grey material. Meet highest Government specifi-
cations.
9. METAT tENs BOARDS are interchangeable; pilot hote in center.
to. EASY RELEASEof ground glass frame. Big handle pulls down, tension
is relieved, back opens to receive holder.
l l . BIG KNOBS, easy to handle, simple to operate
12. FltM HOLDERSdesigned to use standard film or plate holders as well as
film pack adapters. The 4 x 5 proportions permit exact 2X enlargements
to 8 x 10 and exact 4X enlargements to LG x 20.
SPECIFICATIONS- All Models
Verticol Swing (Froniond Bock)-30o Minimum Extension-Lensboord-to-film3% inches
Horizontol Swing (Frontond Bock)-'12" Lens Boord-Stondord 4-inch
Rising-Folling Front-Roised 3 inches, lowered Film Ho ld e rs-L o c k- r ibtype doublefilm or plote 'l
inch h o ld e rso n d film pock odopter
Horizonlol Slide (Frontond Eock)-% inch Dimensions- I I 7r incheshigh
RevolvingBock-360" 8 incheswide
ADDITIONAI. SPECIFICATIONS
Stondord Comero long Focus Comerq
Bellows drow-16 inches Bellowsdrow-22 inches
Totol length-20 inches Totol length-26 inches
2 , . . . . : . h ; ; .View original page 6Page 8 · Read text
ports o o o focusing
l. Releoselever T o m o v e t h e f r o n t o n d b o c k c o r r i o g e s o n
(focusing) the monoroil:
2. Center locking t. LoosenFRONT and BACK LOCKING SCREWS. screw
2. !{ q_uick movement is desired, lift up on FOCUS-
3. Bock locking ING KNOB RELEASE LEVER, ahd slide along
screw rail.
3 . F o r f u r t h e r a d j u s t m e n t s , u s e F O C U S I N G
4. Bock focusing K N O B S .
knob After the camera has
been positioned to give
5. Roil knob approximate image size
desired, slig.ht chang-es 6. Front focusing in image size can be
knob made by racking the
camera and monorail 7. Frome releose o n t h e t r i p o d b l o c k .
hondle To do this:
8. Risingfront knob l . L o o s e n t h e C E N -
T E R L O C K I N G
9. Verticol swing S C R E W .
lock knob 2. Rack camera back-
w a r d o r f o r w a r d
I O. Horizontol swing with RAIL KNOB.
lock knob 3 . T i g h t e n C E N T E R
T. O C K I N G
I l. Clompinglever SCREW after ad-
(revolving bock) justment is made.
12. Monoroil comero
bed F o c u s i n g c l o t h c l i p s
13. Tripod block are provided. To hold
cloth securely:
| 4. Focusingcloth l. Fold edge of cloth.
clips 2 . P l a c e o v e r b a c k .
f r a m e , h o l d t a u t
against bellows; slip
d e s c e n d i n g f o l d s
i n t o F O C U S I N G
C L I P S .View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
't,
loodingthe comeroo. .
The camera has an improved method of releasing the ground glass
frame which makes it possible to remove or insert the film holder
without disturbing the camera position:
( | ) Pull out on the FRAME RELEASE HANDLE till it extends at
right angles to back and small rollers rest in the depressions.
fnsert film holder.
(2) See that bottom of holder rests on protruding stops. Release the
frame release handle.
(3) Wait until lens has been set for exposure before withdrawing
holder slide.
functionsof theswings.. .
The swings, horizontal slide, rising and falling front, and rotating
film back give the Calumet 4 x 5 View Camera the versatility desired
in a commercial camera. The purpose of these swings is to position the
lens and film plane so that the image will appear as desired by the
photographer. This may be a correction of converging or divergi.tg
lines or it may be a deliberate distortion td fit the mood of the picture.
It may be the elimination of foreground or it may be an image
running diagonally across the film.
8
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FARTHESTPOINT IN SUBJECT
RECORDSON NEARESTPOINT
OF FII.M
The swing (horizontal or vertical ) of the camera back is used to control
the line relationships of the subject - converging or divergitrg parallel
Iines. As long as the camera back is parallel to the subject plane, the
image shape is similar to the subject shape.
Sometimes the c:ontrol of line relationships must be sacrificed to ob-
tain sharp focus, particularly when the subject has considerable depth
and is at an angle to the camera. When this is the case, the swing of
the camera back must be such that the farthest point in the subject
will be recorded on the nearest point on the film. This swing does not
prevent line correction in the remainder of the subject (vertical or
horizontal ), since the back can be swung or tilted to a position which
is parallel to that plane.
The function of the swinging, tilting camera front is to swing the lens
to place the plane of sharp focus in the correct relationship to the
subject. Good photographic lenses are constructed to give a sharp
image of a subject plane in a flat field, and for every subject plane
there is a corresponding sharp image plane. The angle of the lens to
produce sharp focus (in relation to subject and film planes) is shown
in the illustration.
The rising and falling front is simply another means of controlling
subject, lens, and film relationship. This application can best be shown
by an example.
By use of the rising or fallitrg front, the lens can be moved above or
below the optical axis without disturbing the parallel relationshilr
between subject plane and film
plane. If the camera is above
the subject, the same results
can be obtained by lowering the
front. However, since the ad-
justment possible with the fall-
itrg front is limited, the camera
bed is usually tilted down and
the camera front and back are
tilted to a position vertical to
INTERSECNNGPOINT the subject plane.
OF SUEJECTAND FII^i
PI,ANESDETERMINES
PO$nON Or [E]tS TO
GIVE s}IARP FOCUS
/View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
ou,g
ta,
ot,
IU
L
ol-
Fu - - - - lt.rt
o3rt
POSSfEIESUTJECTCOv- CATiERAFRONT RAISEDTO THE SAI^E RESUTTCAN BE OBTAINTD
ER^GE IH^T CANNOT 8E GIVE COMPTETECOVERAGE IT THE CAMERAI5 TITTEDUP AND
USED WIT}I CANIERAIN THT CAMERAFRONTAND BACK KEPT
NORrilAt PO$nON PARALLELTO THE SUBJECT
Similar results are a('('omplished horizontally by
using the horizontal slide of the front and rear
carriages; only in this ('ase, instead of moving
only the lens, the lens and back are moved in
opposite direc'tions to provide greater movement.
The principal use of the revolving back is to
loc.ate the film in the c'orrect position to provide
subject ('overage; that is, horizontal or vertical.
It is often used to make slight corrections of
image alignment of the film to save tipping the
('amera. It can also be used to orient
the subjec't in any position on the
SI'TJECTTO BE COVERED film, and is o f t e n e m l t l o y e d f o r
" glamour shots. "
PORNON OF SUBJECT
COVEREDBY CAIAI
IN NORMATSETUP An exc'ellent way to become familiar
with the swings is to set u1t the cam-
era and experiment, actually watch-
OBSTRUCTION ing the results on the ground glass. PREVENTS
CENTERING
CAMERAON
SUBJECT
ENNRESUBJECT
COVEREDWHEN
SLIDINGFRONTAND
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howto operoteswings-sfides-ri
CAUTION:Knobslockwith o simpleturn. Do not tightenex(essively.
TO SWING VERTICAIIY (front and back r: loosen the VIJITTICAL SWIN(;
LOCK KNOB. tilt the camera.
TO SWING HORIZONTALLY(frontand back): loosen HOI{ZONTAL SWIN(;
LOCK KNOB, pivot front or back of camera. Spring-pressed ball
catches indicate normal positions on both horizontal and vertical swings.
Horizonlol Slide (front and back t: loosen horizontal swing lock knob, slide
carriage horizontall.y. Tighten lock knob when carriage is correctly
located.
Rising ond Folling Fronl:'fo raise front, press in and turn ITISING F'RON'l'
KNOB counter clockwise.'fo lower, press in and turn knob clockwist'.
Front stays in position when you release knob.
Rototing Bock: Release CLAMPING LEVER. Turn back to position you
want. Can be locked at any point withclamping lever. Spring pressed
ball catches show normal vertical and horizontal position.View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
verticolswingof
comerobock(tift)
This movement is used to correct T h e o b o v e p h o t o g r o p h s h o w s c o b i n e t
p h o t o g r o p h e d s t r o i g h t o n - n o o d i u s t - converglng or diverglng vertical lines.
ments.
For instance, if you are shooting
The photo below shows correction of verticol something above you, tilt the camera
lines with proper verticol swing odiustment.
upward till you see the entire subject
in the ground glass. Then return the
tilting back and front to a vertical
position parallel to the subject.
If you are shooting something below
you, such as furniture, food, etc.,
point the camera downward, then
tilt back to a vertical position so
that it is parallel to the front verti-
cal plane of the subject.
As long as the camera back is paral-
lel to the subject plane, the image
shape is sirnilar to the subject shape.
Horizontal lines can be corrected in the same
manner by using the horizontal swinge.
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combinotion
of verticolond #honzontilswinr,U
There may be distortion in both vertical and horizontal lines.
This is often the case when shooting up or down at an object
showing two sides. In such a case, you use both horizontal
and vertical swings until your film-plane is parallel to both
the vertical and horizontal subject planes.
horizontolslide
Use this primatily when an obstruction prevents your
centering the camera on the subject. Without moving the
tripod, you can take a photograph as if your camera were
located in the center of the subject . . and still get around
the obstruction.View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
-
4
swrngbock
usedto increosedepthof field
To get all parts of the subject in sharp focus, in instances where there
is considerable depth in the subject: Tilt the back so that the part
of the subject farthest from the camera is recorded on the side of the
film nearest the subject. Distortion may result from this method, so it
should be used with discretion, and after experimentation.
Depth of fiel'd of lens is insufficient to Use of swing bock shorpens the entire
bring entire subiect in focus. picture.
t 4
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(.rq res
You can make slight changes in orientation without moving the tripod
. just by turning the revolving back.
If you are working with a long, narrow subject, you can add almost
an inch to the image size. This is done by turning the back so that
you use the diagonal of the film.
It makes it possible, too, for you to shoot from unusual and interesting
angles.
trView original page 16Page 20 · Read text
soeosyto
ondthe odiustmenlsossurepictures0s youwontthem
Hereis o brief summory:
A long bellows drow is re- The full use of view comerq
quired for very long focus odiuslmenls requires a lens
lenses, or for large im- with adequate covering
ages of small objects. power.
The swing bcck (horizontal The tilting lens (horizontal and vertical) (a) is used and vertical ) positions to rectify image distor- lens so that plane of sharp tion or (b) to adjust the focus coincides with the focal plane to the {eqth principal plane of the r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e subject. subject.
T h e r i s i n g o n d f o l l i n g f r o n l The rotoling bock rotates the
(and/or horizontal slide) negative as desired to fit
secures correct lens and the placement of the sub-
film relationship for cases ject without the neces-
when the subject is not sity of tilting the camera.
on the camera axis.View original page 20From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.

