Kodak 5X7 View Wollensak 9 F4 Verito Diffused Focus Lens & Graflex FP Shutter
Starting with a Kodak 5X7 View No. 2 camera, with a Wollensak 9 F/4 Verito diffused focus lens in a pneumatic shutter, along with a Graflex 5X7 focal plane shutter removeable unit, all in one impressive package! Don't like the combo? OK, the details: Of course it's not all in perfect working condition! Let's cut the "untested" BS we see so much of here, and actually see what's going on!
The camera bellows appears to be light tight. No leaks observed doing a LED test. The wood has the typical "crazed" finish appearance so either leave the "patina" as it is, or refinish it.All motions seem to be working OK. The lens is CLEAR and scratch/fungus free.
Of course, it's NOT a sharp lens, being a diffused focus type. The last pic shows the ground glass view looking down the street.
The pneumatic shutter will not work on the low speeds. As of now, it is B, T, and ONE instant speed whatever it is. The Graflex shutter works but still has a fair number of tiny pinholes in the curtains. I did some painting with black fabric paint and its improved a lot but probably could use another couple coats, or new curtains to be cut and installed. I'm sure if you look in your local Yellow Pages under "large focal plane shutter repair/restorations" there will be several to choose from.
Maybe you local lawn mower repair shop can recommend one. The FP shutter can be wound, but it won't quite stay or catch, at the 3rd and final tension point. As it is, when its wound, you will get 2 shutter releases, not the 3rd one, where the curtains fly across the 5X7 opening to make the exposure. I don't know exactly what speeds you wind up getting here with the 2 adjustments (gap/tension) involved. Included with this package are 4 film holders, including one wooden one. If nothing else, it makes one helluva display piece, but it will probably be able to take pics right now with little or no work/adjustment here and there. It may or may not work at all when you get it!