Viewfinder View

pink set-up

2009-03-25T14:48:00.001-07:00

pink set-up
Originally uploaded by valcox

val's contraption

2009-03-23T09:01:00.003-07:00

val's contraption
Originally uploaded by valcox

val' s contraption

2009-03-23T09:01:00.001-07:00

val' s contraption
Originally uploaded by valcox

This is one of my favorite, lightweight contraption I've been using for a while.

Parts and pieces from Home Depot to assemble the pieces and provide a light block. Any parts and pieces will do, this is just what I used on this particular contraption. I have 5 other contraption of various materials, centered around the idea of it being a lightweight contraption (I'm small in height and mass) and it needed to be strong and stable for travel.

Parts are plumbing ring bracket, Paul Mitchell shampoo bottle, handle, aluminum strip cut to length (17"), Nikon D70, Nikkor Macro 60mm, balsa wood parts cut to fit cavity of Argus to secure tube to base camera. I forgot to include the 58mm rubber hood in this photos.

Image captured through the viewfinder of an Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D2H

testing Canon with Argus

2008-09-08T07:53:00.001-07:00

testing Canon with Argus
Originally uploaded by valcox

Day 5, building a ttv contraption for my mom. Since the Canon lens sets so low, and the Argus viewfinder sets so high, I used an extra quick release clamp I had laying around to get the lens and viewfinder in line. Now my mom can quickly take off the Canon for non-ttv shots when she wants.

Unfortunately, the clamp added more height than I needed, so now I have to raise the Argus up off the back board another 1/4" or so. Good thing she said ok to the extra weight and size, this puppy is growing!

test--argus contraption

2008-09-08T07:52:00.001-07:00

test--argus contraption
Originally uploaded by valcox

Random test shot of contraption to check how lens and viewfinder line up

mounting Argus on temporary back brace

2008-09-08T07:51:00.001-07:00

mount argus to temporary back brace
Originally uploaded by valcox

We're going with the Argus--extra weight and size be damned! We want ttv clarity and sharpness, and the Argus will provide that.

I drilled some holes in the back panel of the Argus and am securing it to the temporary backbrace in order to do some test shots, and varify the distance from camera to camera before I cut and drill into the aluminum back brace.

test--starflex

2008-09-07T10:18:00.003-07:00

test--starflex
Originally uploaded by valcox

I'm still undecided about which base camera to use for my mom's new ttv contraption.

Not nearly as sharp as the Argus, but for size, weight and alignment, it's my likely choice of base camera for her.

Captured through the viewfinder Canon EOS 30D + Starflex

test--brownie

2008-09-07T10:18:00.001-07:00

test--brownie
Originally uploaded by valcox

I'm pretty sure she won't like the fuzzy quality of this camera type--too bad, this would be an easy fit in alignment with her Canon.

Captured through the viewfinder Canon EOS 30D + Brownie Reflex

test--argus

2008-09-07T10:17:00.001-07:00

test--argus
Originally uploaded by valcox

I love the sharp clarity of the Argus, too bad it doesn't line up well in positioning with her Canon--in my planned back-brace design.

Captured through the viewfinder Canon EOS 30D + Argus 75

determining distance

2008-09-07T10:03:00.001-07:00

determining distance
Originally uploaded by valcox

day 4 of building a ttv contraption for my mom. Before I cut or drill into the aluminum back brace, I need to determine the best distance from Canon lens to viewfiner top. I've shimmed under the Starflex to raise it by 1/8", and I've placed a piece of wood under the Canon lens temporarily, as it wanted to fall forward because it wasn't secured yet.

I put the Canon on the edge of the table, so I can view, and move the Starflex the correct distance. While viewing, I hold the flower over to Starflex to take a test shot.

The funny thing is my mom likely thought she would have her Canon back in a couple days--I hope she's not waiting by the mailbox for it's return.

flower test

2008-09-07T10:02:00.001-07:00

flower test
Originally uploaded by valcox

messy studio--before

2008-09-06T06:01:00.001-07:00

messy studio--before
Originally uploaded by valcox

messy studio--after

2008-09-06T06:00:00.001-07:00

messy studio--after
Originally uploaded by valcox

Day 3 of building a new contraption for my mom. The first step is to clean up my work table and clear a space to start!

building the contraption day 2

2008-09-05T08:38:00.001-07:00

building the contraption day 2
Originally uploaded by valcox

Day 2 of building a ttv contraption for my mom.

I have my mom's Canon EOS 30D and 60mm macro lens on a temporary backbrace (shown on bottom) which I’m sizing it up to find the right viewfinder base camera for her.

The positioning of the lens on the Canon body poses a challenge, because it’s lower than I'm used to—this will make using an Argus 75 difficult because of the positioning of the viewfinder.

Note the (top photo) Nikon D70 with 60mm lens has about ¾” clearance from lens to back board. Her Canon EOS 30D with 60mm lens (bottom photo) has less than ¼” clearance.

I have a couple options in building this contraption, I can raise the Canon up off the base, or I can use a different viewfinder camera.

This much I know:
My mom wants a base viewfinder that’s very clean and clear (she's not into the dusty ttv's). She wants the total contraption lightweight and small because she uses this camera out and about when photographing people and events in Vermont. She wants to be able to remove the Canon easily and quickly when she doesn’t want to shoot ttv style.

This narrows my options a little, so I'm thinking about the Starflex viewfinder camera instead of the Argus 75.

choosing my base camera

2008-09-05T08:37:00.001-07:00

choosing my base camera
Originally uploaded by valcox

Top Left: Duaflex and Argus, note from back panel to bottom of viewfinder is a space of about 1”. The Duamflex or Argus work well with my Nikon where the lens sets high on the body, but not so well with the Canon—which sets low.

Lower row: Brownie Starflex on left, Brownie Reflex on right.

The Brownie Reflex could work well and be very simple to build a contraption because of the flat back and ease in disassembling/reassembling. I have 4 of these, but each one has a very dusty lens and moldy mirror. This isn’t the look she wants. Besides this is a very heavy camera, so it’s the second strike against it for my mom’s contraption.

The Starflex is a candidate because of the viewfinder position, and I have one that is very clean and clear, still in the original 1950's store package. My mom will like the bright clarity of this viewfinder and especially the lightweight.

The Starflex poses many more contruction issues because there are no flat panels. This body is all curves with odd viewfinder angles. Building the contraption to house it will be more work, but in the end, I think it’s my best choice.

selecting the base camera

2008-09-04T06:10:00.001-07:00

selecting the base camera
Originally uploaded by valcox

Step one in building a new ttv contraption for my mom (sylvia skea), is picking her base camera. She likes them clean and clear, and an Argus 75 was her first camera as a child, so that's the one!

contraption 1

2008-09-04T06:09:00.003-07:00

contraption 1
Originally uploaded by valcox

My first step in building a new contraption for my mom was getting her to mail her Canon and lens from VT to PA.

The second step is to finish this thing within a few weeks, or she's be going through ttv withdraws, and that's not a good thing.

contraption 2

2008-09-04T06:09:00.001-07:00

contraption 2
Originally uploaded by valcox

In building this new ttv contraption for my mom I determine the distance from camera to viewfinder, as Rustman taught us to do, so that I get the largest possible viewfinder image, and make sure everything lines up.

Once the light block housing gets under construction, this back brace will change, and it will have a handle on the back side, all in shiny black!

green dice

2008-09-02T06:16:00.001-07:00

green dice
Originally uploaded by valcox

shell flower sill

2008-08-26T11:58:00.001-07:00

shell flower sill
Originally uploaded by valcox

I love katie

2008-08-22T05:20:00.001-07:00

I love katie
Originally uploaded by valcox

pick up from summer camp

2008-08-22T05:19:00.001-07:00

pick up from summer camp
Originally uploaded by valcox

cat in bushes

2008-08-17T10:58:00.001-07:00

cat in bushes
Originally uploaded by valcox

old viewfinder

2008-08-16T19:18:00.001-07:00

old viewfinder
Originally uploaded by valcox

this is one of those 1" viewfinders off the side of a bellow camera. I love the notched metal square frame.

family room

2008-08-14T15:03:00.003-07:00

family room
Originally uploaded by valcox

dining room

2008-08-14T15:03:00.001-07:00

dining room
Originally uploaded by valcox

cameras

2008-08-12T19:44:00.005-07:00

cameras
Originally uploaded by valcox

book case

2008-08-12T19:44:00.003-07:00

book case
Originally uploaded by valcox

vase shadow on red

2008-08-12T19:44:00.001-07:00

vase shadow on red
Originally uploaded by valcox

waves at lake wallenpaupeck pennsylvania

2008-08-11T04:25:00.001-07:00

waves
Originally uploaded by valcox

lake sign

2008-08-11T04:24:00.001-07:00

lake sign
Originally uploaded by valcox

little racer

2008-08-08T08:53:00.001-07:00

little racer
Originally uploaded by valcox

does it make my butt look big?

2008-08-04T20:28:00.001-07:00

does it make my butt look big?
Originally uploaded by valcox

jumping teens

2008-07-30T05:12:00.001-07:00

jumping teens
Originally uploaded by valcox

They agreed to pose...for lunch. Always hungry--teenage boys. I lined them against the pool because the light was nice. While I was framing and giving directions, I told them to jump up. I didn't mean 'in', I meant 'up'. Fortunately one questioned me and I clarified, as the other five were ready to take the dive.

argus underwater

2008-07-29T19:56:00.001-07:00

argus underwater
Originally uploaded by valcox

blue panel

2008-07-29T06:15:00.001-07:00

blue panel
Originally uploaded by valcox

water landscape

2008-07-23T09:44:00.001-07:00

water landscape
Originally uploaded by valcox

steps

2008-07-23T09:42:00.003-07:00

steps
Originally uploaded by valcox

Butterbean pushes off

2008-07-23T09:42:00.001-07:00

Butterbean pushes off
Originally uploaded by valcox

Guinea pig goes for a swim

2008-07-23T09:41:00.003-07:00

Guinea pig goes for a swim
Originally uploaded by valcox

swim lesson

2008-07-23T09:41:00.001-07:00

swim lesson
Originally uploaded by valcox

pool contraption

2008-07-23T09:40:00.001-07:00

pool contraption
Originally uploaded by valcox

water eye

2008-07-21T19:35:00.001-07:00

water eye
Originally uploaded by valcox

sky, water

2008-07-21T19:34:00.003-07:00

sky, water
Originally uploaded by valcox

starlight contraption

2008-07-21T19:34:00.001-07:00

starlight contraption
Originally uploaded by valcox

robins in nest

2008-07-15T06:58:00.001-07:00

robins in nest
Originally uploaded by valcox

white flowers

2008-07-09T10:26:00.001-07:00

white flowers
Originally uploaded by valcox

test shot from new enlarger contraption

ttv enlarger contraption

2008-07-09T10:25:00.003-07:00

ttv enlarger contraption
Originally uploaded by valcox

ttv enlarger contraption

2008-07-09T10:25:00.001-07:00

ttv enlarger contraption
Originally uploaded by valcox

I rebuilt this enlarger contraption and switched out the duaflex to an argus 75, as it fit a bit more snug. The Nikon and Argus are supported by a back brace, which I made to fit and support by existing screw holes and bolts within the existing enlarger whenever possible.

It's rigid and solid and the base is on wheels. The whole unit glides up and down on a track. I've used it successfully for long exposure, flight-light lit still lifes. My plan is to do some portrait shots when I can get the kids or their friends over to model!

This unit isn't portable, it sits in a corner of the basement. The main Nikon camera is removable to use on my main portable ttv contraption.

newborn robins

2008-07-09T09:12:00.001-07:00

newborn robins
Originally uploaded by valcox

this robin built her nest so low, I couldn't resist getting the shot which was a challenge at best. I stood on the ladder, contraption in hand. My exposure was tested ahead, I relied on auto focus and shooting blind. Fred held down the branch below and moved the top branch aside. I took a few shots, most of them missing the birds all together, this one capturing them just right.

Two days later I tried the shot again but the third egg was gone, the two little birds doing fine. The robin parents and all their friends making quite a bit of noise until we moved away only seconds later.

green leaf

2008-07-02T06:05:00.001-07:00

green leaf
Originally uploaded by valcox

lit by flashlight using a fixed contraption to allow for a long exposure time.

green leaf on blue

2008-07-02T06:04:00.001-07:00

green leaf on blue
Originally uploaded by valcox

half in shadow

2008-06-10T12:28:00.003-07:00

half in shadow
Originally uploaded by valcox

raspberries, grapes on blue

2008-06-10T12:28:00.001-07:00

raspberries, grapes on blue
Originally uploaded by valcox

blue bowl on green

2008-06-10T06:10:00.001-07:00

blue bowl on green
Originally uploaded by valcox

sometimes my favorite still lifes are when I miss the subject, and the photo rests alone on the unseen.

Captured through the viewfinder Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D2H

duanwu festival

2008-06-10T06:09:00.001-07:00

duanwu festival
Originally uploaded by valcox

boy watching firetrucks at parade

2008-06-06T02:46:00.001-07:00

boy watching firetrucks at parade
Originally uploaded by valcox

this boy was calm as could be during the parade, just sitting on the curb. Unti lthe firetrucks arrived. Then he couldn't contain himself any longer.

roses on green

2008-05-31T18:03:00.003-07:00

roses on green
Originally uploaded by valcox

captured through the viewfinder Ansco
Rediflex + Nikon D2H

still life roses set

2008-05-31T18:03:00.001-07:00

still life roses set
Originally uploaded by valcox

the old clothes pin factory

2008-05-28T11:56:00.003-07:00

the old clothes pin factory
Originally uploaded by valcox

borax

2008-05-28T11:56:00.001-07:00

borax
Originally uploaded by valcox

bathroom in the old clothespin factory. Captured through the viewfinder of a vintage Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D2H with macro lens

eggs

2008-05-16T15:28:00.001-07:00

eggs
Originally uploaded by valcox

four eggs, two cameras, one tripod and a flashlight in a dark room.

still life of eggs

2008-05-16T15:26:00.001-07:00

still life of eggs
Originally uploaded by valcox

nine old cameras

2008-04-16T19:16:00.001-07:00

nine old cameras
Originally uploaded by valcox

the progression of ttv base cameras I've tried, starting with the Duaflex's, progressing to the Argus, settling on the Rediflex. Briefly experimenting with the Brownie Reflex, wanting to, but not able to love the Anscoflex, I settled back to my favorite, the Ansco Rediflex.

through the viewfinder still life

2008-04-13T17:52:00.003-07:00

through the viewfinder still life
Originally uploaded by valcox

tulip blossom, grapes

2008-04-13T17:52:00.001-07:00

tulip blossom, grapes
Originally uploaded by valcox

ansco rediflex & argus 75

2008-04-12T19:04:00.001-07:00

ansco rediflex & argus 75
Originally uploaded by valcox

The Ansco Rediflex (on left) has a large glass bubble top, making it an ideal base camera for Ttv. Often when you find a vintage Ansco Rediflex, the plastic masking frame, used to cover the extreme edge distortion, will still be attached. Remove this mask for optimum distortion and a larger glass view.

Shown next to Argus 75 (on right) for viewfinder size comparison.

ansco rediflex & argus 75

2008-04-12T19:02:00.001-07:00

ansco rediflex & argus 75
Originally uploaded by valcox

If you can find one, a Ansco Rediflex is only slightly larger and heavier than a Argus 75, but with a much larger top bubble viewfinder.

kodak duaflex I & argus 75

2008-04-12T19:01:00.001-07:00

kodak duaflex I & argus 75
Originally uploaded by valcox

Comparative viewfinder view of Kodak Duaflex (on left) and Argus 75 (on right). The Duaflex glass bubble top is only 1/16 larger on each side than the Argus 75.

argus 75 & argoflex 75

2008-04-12T18:58:00.001-07:00

argus 75 & argoflex 75
Originally uploaded by valcox

An Argus 75 is a heavier weight camera than the more common Kodak Duaflex camera. At the time of this writing, the Argus are easier to locate for a lower price, in the used camera market, than the Duaflex. The Argus 75 has three different names, though all nearly identical in style. The most common is the 'Argus Seventy-Five', followed by the "Argoflex Seventy-Five', and the less common "Argus 75".

When you find one in the marketplace, they generally include the original leather carry case, which is likely the reason they tend to be in good condition, with clear lenses and mirrors. The bakelite is indestructive, but tends to make the cameras heavy in weight.

kodak duaflex II and duaflex I

2008-04-12T18:56:00.001-07:00

kodak duaflex II and duaflex I
Originally uploaded by valcox

The Kodak Duaflex cameras are the classic base camera most frequently used in TtV (through the viewfinder) photography. They are lightweight and easy to access /reassemble for cleaning dirt from the interior lenses/mirror.

The 'Kodak Duaflex I' (on the right) is generally preferred to the 'Duaflex II, III and IV' for it's 'ghosting' quality, lighter weight, and lack of light shield.

sweet grapes

2008-04-09T18:43:00.001-07:00

sweet grapes
Originally uploaded by valcox

Captured through the viewfinder of an Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70, in dark, back lit by single flashlight.

grape still life set

2008-04-09T18:42:00.001-07:00

grape still life set
Originally uploaded by valcox

my favorite flashlight, a very bright, 6" Sure Fire.

white flowers, blue bowl

2008-04-08T10:49:00.001-07:00

white flowers, blue bowl
Originally uploaded by valcox

hiding

2008-04-06T17:50:00.001-07:00

hiding
Originally uploaded by valcox

ansco rediflex + nikon d70 contraption under kitchen table.

autumn leaf on a spring branch

2008-04-02T21:19:00.001-07:00

autumn leaf on a spring branch
Originally uploaded by valcox

plus this insect pod that's likely to hatch now that I brought the branch indoors!

Captured through the viewfinder Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70

in the middle of things

2008-04-02T21:18:00.001-07:00

in the middle of things
Originally uploaded by valcox

cracked frame viewfinder

2008-03-30T11:16:00.001-07:00

cracked frame viewfinder
Originally uploaded by valcox

Ansco Rediflex bubbletop viewfinder, without light blocking shield against glare and reflections.

one striped, one spotted

2008-03-28T17:58:00.001-07:00

one striped, one spotted
Originally uploaded by valcox

captured through the glass viewfinder of an Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70

wooden man

2008-03-27T12:10:00.001-07:00

wooden man
Originally uploaded by valcox

captured through the dirty viewfinder Kodak Reflex + Nikon D70 with 60mm Nikkor micro lens.

dusty blue sky

2008-03-19T10:05:00.003-07:00

dusty blue sky
Originally uploaded by valcox

shot through the viewfinder Brownie Reflex

dot the cat

2008-03-19T10:05:00.001-07:00

dot the cat
Originally uploaded by valcox

shot with dusty/moldy lens Brownie Reflex, through the viewfinder

brownie reflex

2008-03-19T10:04:00.001-07:00

brownie reflex
Originally uploaded by valcox

I have several of these cameras, each of them has a moldy viewfinder, even the pristine-in-the-box ones. Perfect for those moody, hazy shots!

orange bowl of yellow pears

2008-03-13T19:11:00.001-07:00

orange bowl of yellow pears
Originally uploaded by valcox

Argus 75 base camera viewfinder + Nikon D70

grandma's bed

2008-03-05T10:02:00.001-08:00

grandma's bed
Originally uploaded by valcox

captured through the viewfinder Anscoflex Leica D-Lux 3

ttv contraption for point and push leica

2008-03-05T10:00:00.003-08:00

ttv contraption for point and push leica
Originally uploaded by valcox

basic hardware (aluminum strip, handle, nuts and bolts) hold the contraption in place as a single unit. A liquor bottle box, chosen and purchased for this purpose (cheap liquor tossed, box coveted), painted black, keeps out the reflected light.

My goal was lightweight contraption, small enough for my purse. The cameras used are point and push Leica D-Lux 3 (on macro setting) with a base camera Anscoflex.

This image captured with Nikon D70 + Ansco Rediflex. Unfortunately this contraption was dismandled by curious and leary airport security and will need to be rebuilt.

ttv contraption

2008-03-05T10:00:00.001-08:00

ttv contraption for point and push leica
Originally uploaded by valcox

caged flowers and bird still life

2008-02-27T13:55:00.001-08:00

caged flowers, bird
Originally uploaded by valcox

caged flowers

2008-02-27T13:54:00.001-08:00

caged flowers
Originally uploaded by valcox

through the viewfinder of an Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70

old apple

2008-02-10T20:22:00.001-08:00

old apple
Originally uploaded by valcox

ttv me

2008-02-10T20:19:00.001-08:00

ttv me
Originally uploaded by valcox

Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70

plums and pears

2008-02-10T09:15:00.001-08:00

plums and pears
Originally uploaded by valcox

I love shooting the ground glass on this old 4"x5" camera, it gives such a painterly feel, with no effort on my part.

Shot in the dark basement at night, with a single side light, mounted low.

cherries and pears

2008-01-29T10:21:00.001-08:00

cherries and pears
Originally uploaded by valcox

welta 4x5

2008-01-19T18:49:00.001-08:00

welta 4x5
Originally uploaded by valcox

this is the camera I'm using for my ground glass viewfinder images.

plums through ground glass

2008-01-18T20:10:00.001-08:00

plums through ground glass
Originally uploaded by valcox

I'm trying out a new base camera. This one is an old Russian 4x5 ground glass camera. I've rigged up a wooden contraption and built a light-proof housing for the viewfinder to keep all reflections off the ground glass. I'm using my digital Nikon on a tripod (very long exposures) to capture an image of this ground glass as reflected (upside down) through the lens of the old camera.

I like the grainy feel of the ground glass, never a sharp focus, but I think it looks more painterly.

It took 5 minutes to get the bowl balanced just right, the plums toppling out. Then the cat jumped up on the set as he does so well. I promptly removed him.

starfruit

2008-01-09T19:14:00.001-08:00

starfruit
Originally uploaded by valcox

lit at night by flashlight, Ansco Rediflex + Nikon D70

stone house

2008-01-05T19:42:00.001-08:00

stone house
Originally uploaded by valcox

New Year's day, the town so still, the sky blue. Captured through the viewfinder Ansco Rediflex vintage camera + Nikon D70 digital.

apples red green

2008-01-05T19:41:00.001-08:00

apples red green
Originally uploaded by valcox

Southern exposure window light, vintage Ansco Rediflex viewfinder camera.

red pears, kumquats

2007-12-17T12:23:00.001-08:00

red pears, kumquats
Originally uploaded by valcox

captured, natural light, plus flashlight highlight with Ansco Rediflex viewfinder + Nikon D70 digital.

viewfinder group on flickr

2007-12-17T09:16:00.001-08:00

If you have an interest in ttv (through the viewfinder) photography, this is the group to check out on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/throughtheviewfinder/

Here is a smaller group that I organize, and it's just for 'Still Life TTV', now that's a niche! :o) http://www.flickr.com/groups/ttv-still-life/pool/