While I haven't posted anything about the Burke and James project for some time (or anything else, for that matter) I did get some pictures taken with it using the 120 roll film back before reality intruded into my life. Good news! Everything works. I took some portraits of my Mamiya Universal using the 10 inch lens. A shorter lens would be better but that's all I had at the time.

Mamiya Universal, 100/f3.5, front

Mamiya Universal, 100/f3.5, back

Mamiya Universal, 100/f3.5, lens detail

No light leaks and the lens is great (and has incredible coverage.) A little long for close-ups since the longer lens means longer bellows extension. Nick sent me his 5 inch Elgeet. I was hoping that it would work as a wide angle (36mm equivalent) on the 4x5 but it doesn't cover 4x5. It barely covers 6x7 on 120 roll film and I can't focus it at infinity. It needs a recessed lensboard since it such a big lens.

The small lens in front of the B&J is also a 5 inch lens. A Kodak Ektar from my Speed Graphic.

The Elgeet is a very curious lens. There are some internal markings and something is loose in the front lens cell.

It appears to be a custom lens made for the space industry. What it is designed for I have no idea. Nick picked the Elgeets up at a surplus sale. I can't use it for general photography work but I tried it for close-ups. Very interesting.

Leica IIIc

The 5 inch Elgeet has one redeeming factor — it's a really fast f2, which is very unusual for a view camera lens. These images are at 200% on the film. At f2 there is a razor sharp area of focus. And lots of aberrations. Nick suggested seeing what the aberrations look like in color. That will be next. The next pictures were taken with the lens stopped down to it's maximum — f22.

FED 2

FED 2 Detail

Click on the link of the above picture to see it at scanning resolution (800dpi) to give an idea of the detail in these pictures. They would make spectacular 16 x 20 prints.

FED 2 Film Counter

The next step is to get the 210mm lens attached to a lens board with the Packard shutter for a normal lens for the 4x5 and built a recessed lens board that will accept the 5 inch Kodak Ektar lens board for a wide angle. Still need to find that film changing bag. Bit by bit.