I was just given a Burke and James Saturn 75 monorail camera. The camera is in like new condition. I am told that it is a 5x7 camera, but it has a 4x5 reducing back. It also came with a Schneider Symmar 150/265 convertible lens which is in need of lubrication and adjustment. Since I already own a Technika V, I don't really need another 4x5. I am interested in using the camera as a 5x7 and am wondering if anyone can tell me how to aquire a new back for it or if it is possible to make one ( as a last resort ). My enlarger is a 4x5 and I felt it might be fun to experiment with contact printing the 5x7 negs.

-- Bill Lester (wlester@lesterconstruction.com), June 21, 2001

Answers

You can find them every once in awhile on Ebay but you might have to make one. Go to http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/homebrew.html and get some ideas of construction. Emailing some of the people will be pretty beneficial also. There are a number of these sites and also a camera makers forum. Couldn't find the web site but I'm on the forum through email so I'll send you the site as soon as I get one.

-- Scott Walton (f64sw@hotmail.com), June 21, 2001.

Bill:

As the above post noted, there is a cameramakers web page. I'm not sure if it's still active but they do have an archive of posts. At any rate, here is the link:

http://www.mail-archive.com/cameramakers@ilist.net/

You might also take a look at the list of homemade camera web pages I posted several weeks ago:

http://hv.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=005Q90

This should give you a good idea of what's involved in making your own back. If you have any specific questions on making a back, drop me an e-mail. I've built several and I can give you some help on design, sources for parts, wood, etc.

Finally, you could try adapting a back from another manufacturer. I think that would be easier than finding a B&J Saturn. Most used LF equipment retailers carry backs so I would take a look at Midwest, KEH, Stephen Shuart, Pacific Rim, Lens & Repro etc. (Take a look at Adorama.com under used-LF-backs. As recently as yesterday, they listed a generic 5x7 marked down to about $35.)

.................................

-- Dave Willison (dwillisart@aol.com), June 21, 2001.

Bill, Here is the email forum for camera makers: cameramakers@rosebud.opusis.com

-- Scott Walton (scotlynn@shore.net), June 21, 2001.

I also own a Burke & James Saturn 75. Please note that backs from other B&J 5x7s (such as the Rembrandt Portrait cameras, which are plentiful) will fit the Saturn 75 with no modifications.

-- James Meckley (jmeckley@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu), June 23, 2001.