I'm still very busy with work that is actually paying and with getting Zoe ready for her trip to Florida. The links are also piling up so I'd better start putting some up.

I took a side step on the shutter mechanism cover for the Zorki Standard. I was reading a thread over at the Rangefinder Forum that DAG Camera had some OKARA orange slip on filters for the Leica IIIc rangefinder for better contrast. So I found my way over to DAG and sure enough they do and at a reasonable price. But they also had a chrome shutter mechanism cover for a Leica Standard for $20. Since their picture of was from the top, I moved it into photoshop and placed over the top of my Zorki 1 picture. The angle of the two pictures were a little different so everything didn't quite line up right but it did look like it might work so I ordered it. It came in yesterday.

I've been wondering how it attached to the Leica Standard. It's threaded on and it appears that the cover was turned on a lathe.

I placed it on my Zorki Standard and it cleared everything. From the top, that is.

Vertically it doesn't fit. The post for the B setting cam is too tall. Too bad.

On the front there is a threaded pin that the shroud comes done on that would have to be removed. I think it is for locating the rangefinder cover. Oh, well. This would have been a simple solution. I don't want to do any modification to this cover since they are pretty rare so I will see if DAG will take it back and give me credit towards the OKARA. It was worth seeing the cover. I took some dimensions off it.

bigger

I have all the bits to start making my original design. I just need the time. And then I started yet another project. I've been needing a proper case for my 5x7 Burke & James. I saw a link to photobackpaker and saw the answer to my problems. He makes padded boxes that velcro to a backboard and to each other and fit in a backpack. It's a nice solution and at reasonable prices. However, I'm not going to carry my Burke & James and its related gear around on my back. His system also works well in rolling luggage so I found a good deal on one.

I went to eBags and found this one. It's an Atlantic Altitude 24" Expandable Upright. The MSRP is $180, their price was $89.99, and it was on sale for $34.99. It was the right size and the price included shipping. How could I lose? I went to order it and Google is now getting into the online credit card transaction business and was giving a $10 discount on the first item if signed up with them. So I did and got it for $24.99. It arrived in two days and will work fine. I also decided to make my own inserts since the photobackpacker system would work but not as well as I would like. I'm laying it out in my CAD program. More on this as I figure it out.