The first time I was at Freestyle they were on Western Ave.
They were a surplus store with all sorts of fascinating stuff
like aerial cameras. I went there with a high school teacher who
was one of my early mentors in photography. I bought very cheap
roll film and paper there. The paper was 10x10 meant for printing
from aerial camera negatives. Beautiful stuff but I have no idea
who made it. My other source of supply was Sid Klein's camera on
Beverly Bl. A long walk from my house. I got unboxed Gaveart 120
there for 19c a roll. I had a couple of other mentors at Klein's
who taught me all sorts of techniques. Eventually I discovered
that if I just followed the instructions in the Kodak manual I
would get better pictures. The highschool teacher was a former
press photographer who taught me to use a Speed Graphic.
Until a couple of years ago I had an AGFA 5x7 Universal View
camera with a factory 4x5 back. They sold the 5x7 as a "deluxe"
4x5. I also had a 5x7 back for it. It was stolen by someone who
cut the locks off a bunch of storage spaces. I also have an AGFA
8x10 Universal View for which I have a 5x7 back. 5x7 film holders
are extremely difficult to find. Also, my enlarger takes 4x5 or
smaller.
On 4/18/2019 12:43 PM, Richard Lahrson wrote:
This is related to the 5x7 format: I bought two boxes of Lane's 5x7 plates! @ speed of 2,Richard Knoppow
it's uncharted territory, at least for me!
On Thu, Apr 18, 2019 at 11:45 AM Zack Widup <w9sz.zack@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:w9sz.zack@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
That's right. Maybe I've been getting it from Freestyle. It's
been a while since I bought any 5X7.
I used to love the Freestyle store back when it was a
picker's delight. So many strange, quirky pieces of equipment
in there. I was there a few years ago and it just isn't the
same. Seems "sterile" to me now.
I guess I was lucky to get a Korona mahogany 5X7 field camera
in excellent condition from a local camera guy back in 1977
for $400. I thought that was a deal even back then. I treat
it with care; still in great shape and no bellows leaks.
Zack
