From my Camera Collection - Burke & James' 4x5 Speed Press Camera
Sep 22, 2021 08:25:09 #
DIRTY HARRY
Loc: Hartland, Michigan
Burke & James' 4x5 Speed Press Camera was a sophisticated folding bed camera offering ground glass focusing or snapshot focusing by means of a focusing scale and a telescopic viewfinder. A Kalart Synchronized Range Finder was often attached to it.
It lacked the big sports finder which was the third finder device of many other press cameras. However, the camera had a number of features lacking on some of those cameras, including a rotating back and full front swings, tilts, shifts, and rise/fall movements. In a way the Burke and James Press 4x5 was a cross between a press camera and a technical camera like the Meridian 45A, Meridian 45B, or Linhof Technika.
The camera was solidly constructed of aluminum and other metals. As the focusing bed did not extend into the body, the use of extreme wide angle lenses (<85mm) requires the use of a recessed lens board.
It lacked the big sports finder which was the third finder device of many other press cameras. However, the camera had a number of features lacking on some of those cameras, including a rotating back and full front swings, tilts, shifts, and rise/fall movements. In a way the Burke and James Press 4x5 was a cross between a press camera and a technical camera like the Meridian 45A, Meridian 45B, or Linhof Technika.
The camera was solidly constructed of aluminum and other metals. As the focusing bed did not extend into the body, the use of extreme wide angle lenses (<85mm) requires the use of a recessed lens board.
Sep 22, 2021 08:34:08 #
Guy A.
Loc: Concord, Ohio
Thanks for the pictures of history equipment. the B&J 4x5 was fun to review.
Sep 22, 2021 08:59:50 #
Sep 22, 2021 09:17:50 #
alliebess
Loc: suburban Philadelphia
Great photos of your camera.
Loved the press cameras. Used one in high school which had the sports finder as well as the regular view finder and the ground class.
Loved the press cameras. Used one in high school which had the sports finder as well as the regular view finder and the ground class.
Sep 22, 2021 09:31:48 #
The part I like most is the price in the ad. No size on the enlarger or whether it includes a lens. Was this a condenser or double-condenser enlarger?
Thanks for posting. What great memories.
Thanks for posting. What great memories.
Sep 22, 2021 10:13:32 #
DIRTY HARRY
Loc: Hartland, Michigan
No, I have not. My intensions, at this point (nearly 80), is to find a buyer for my antique cameras so they don't end up in Goodwill or a landfill. It took several years to collect my babies; however, after remodeling my display areas, they have have been relegated to storage bins in our basement ... you know what the next step is.
Sep 22, 2021 11:40:56 #
DIRTY HARRY wrote:
No, I have not. My intensions, at this point (nearly 80), is to find a buyer for my antique cameras so they don't end up in Goodwill or a landfill. It took several years to collect my babies; however, after remodeling my display areas, they have have been relegated to storage bins in our basement ... you know what the next step is.
Yes I do. Sad.
Dennis
Sep 23, 2021 06:46:13 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
DIRTY HARRY wrote:
Burke & James' 4x5 Speed Press Camera was a so... (show quote)
Very nice, very unique paper weight.
Seriously, I owned this camera (used) when I was 16, it also has tilts and swings. Plus the lens plate goes up and down, great for close ups keeping the foreground and background in focus.
Mine is long gone after purchasing a Nikon Ftn in 1969.
Sep 23, 2021 13:13:56 #
RodeoMan
Loc: St Joseph, Missouri
Interesting and great images of the camera. Pbase Camera Data Base has examples of images from the Burke James
Sep 23, 2021 20:49:48 #
Great camera in its day I have one I got back in June. My goal is to shoot 4 to 6 photographs a month with it. I’m still getting geared up to use it and develop the sheet film. Here are a couple of pics of the camera
Sep 23, 2021 21:59:06 #
M1911
Loc: DFW Metromess
abc1234 wrote:
The part I like most is the price in the ad. No size on the enlarger or whether it includes a lens. Was this a condenser or double-condenser enlarger?
Thanks for posting. What great memories.
Thanks for posting. What great memories.
I believe that was a diffusion enlarger. My dad's was and looked like that. He didn't like condensers because more spotting was required.
Sep 25, 2021 20:49:09 #
DIRTY HARRY wrote:
Burke & James' 4x5 Speed Press Camera was a so... (show quote)
I was advertising manager for a home center chain. I used to burn tons of polaroid film with the B&J. Pan Litho & p&n ( Print and Neg ) The Negs were really fine grain. Saved the company lots of money with that camera.
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