Upgrade from 4x5 to 8x10  Upgrade 8x10

8x10 UPGRADE This is no joke... This mod was done by a Greek photographer. Most of us would not file this as a serious modification, but actually it is working! Also lens assembling seemed to be of less concern for this photog. Maybe once a month just replacing the tape will do. Following are some serious modifications and solutions. If you have one yourself, please feel free to share.

Lens-caps from left to right: Original lenscap, Vivitar snap on cap, Hasselblad C-series lens cap (back)   Lens-caps

LENS CAPS The search for lens-caps fitting the Aero Ektar 7 In. If you were lucky, the lens was supplied with its original lens-cap. (Far left) A replacement cap, that will fit this large front will be hard to find. A solution is to get a cap for the lens without shade. The only lens cap I've found is the Vivitar metal slip-on lens cap 85mm. (shown in the middle). The cap that will fit the rear of the lens is the normal lens-cap (rear group) for the Hasselblad C-lens series. Only a slight adaption on the inside is called for.

Custom made Lens Board

LENS BOARD If you want a custom lensboard made from messing (anodized black finish on both sites)for a barrel lens with an odd size hole, contact Fons de Vries. It speaks for itself the standard holes can be delivered also. Showing a lensboard for my personal brass Dokter lens. (On my request, the front was left as-is, but highly polished instead). The lens itself (Doctar 65/4.5) is very special, only one was made on my request. The Front side of the board was hard polished to match the front part of the lens. The boards are made like the original Graflex board, only slightly better and even more sturdy. Inquire at Fons de Vries The extremes....On the left, Pacemaker Speed Graphic 65mm/4.5 and on the right Pacemaker Speed Graphic 178mm/2.5 The Doctar combination focusing on the back-rail has extreme depth of field, whereas the Aero combination has a very limited DOF wide-open. The extremes....On the left, Pacemaker Speed Graphic 65mm/4.5 and on the right Pacemaker Speed Graphic 178mm/2.5 The Doctar combination focusing on the back-rail has extreme depth of field, whereas the Aero combination has a very limited DOF wide-open.

Aperture Handle by Fons de Vries Aperture Handle by Fons de Vries  Aperture handle. Aperture Handles side by side by Fons de Vries  Comparison.....

APERTURE HANDLE Replacing the missing original handle. Using the two screws on top of the aperture ring an aperture handle was constructed and mounted. One of our new members (Fons de Vries) made this nifty looking handle. Besides looking very attractive, it is very functional also. From behind the camera and using the handle one can feel the detent points easily .( Click-stop) Different handles can be mounted with the universal base plate (Pre drilled holes brass plate with a 5mm tube soldered - dia 4mm) . Inquire at Fons de Vries Original aperture handle.  Original handle Aero Ektar Showing two Aero Ektar's: Left - JoLo board - Handle I Right - Graflex board - Handle II In both instances, when the handle is in mid position, the aperture is f 4.3 From behind the camera: When the handle is in the far right corner of the board, the aperture is f 16 When the handle is in the far left corner of the board, the aperture is f 2.5

Professional compendium.   Professional Compendium.

PROFESSIONAL COMPENDIUM Did you ever try your combo with side - or back - lit situations? Better check your GG to forecome a disaster. The lenshood supplied is nice but not offering real shading when not airborne.(Initially the camera was pointed downwards from the belly of a B-17) With the AE it is important to use a decent lenshood as the lens has many glass surfaces. Especially in side - and back lit situations you will note the difference in contrastand flare. As the AE is not primarily known for its contrasty images, using a compendium sure will improve your images. N O T E :: As a Professional compendium is not the cheapest accessory, we are thinking about a new to design "French Flag". Till then you can use your graycard or hat to shield excessive light.

Kalart Focuscope   Kalart Focuscope.

KALART FOCUSCOPE Not a DIY item but actually an accessory from Kalart. The focuscope comes in two versions i.e a chrome one and a black telescopic model. Basically they work the same however. The focuscope can be screwed instantly in the eyepiece of the Kalart range finder. The focuscope will enlarge the focusing image for critical hairline focusing and increase its brilliance to speed focusing in poor light. Recommended gadget when you work handheld. N O T E :: You will need a coupled range finder to use this focuscope!

Kalart Focuspot.   Kalart Focuspot

KALART FOCUSPOT The improved Kalart focuspot is from the bulb-flash era but can be useful with modern flash units also. The focuscope when turned on, will project a lighted filament of the bulb inside. The filaments should become one line when the distance to the subject is correct. As focusing with the rangefinder in poor light situations is very difficult, this is the solution. Using this gadget with modern Flash-units attached, you will need a small 4.5V battery pack to supply the power.

Kalart Focuscope Aux. Range Finders  Auxilliary range finders

AUXILLIARY RANGE FINDER Problem : The rangefinder is not coupled with the Aero Ektar. Solution: Clip-on an auxilliary range finder. In our example we have found two precision made range finders i.e the "TELEX" and the "MEDIS". When you need to shoot handheld with the combo make a distance reading beforehand instead of a guesstimate. Distances from 60 cm till infinity can be pinpointed with either one. You won't be disappointed. N O T E :: You need a 178mm calculated distance scale (DIY) to use it effectively.!

Scale focusing - Inf mark for 178mm 6 feet setting for 178mm  6 feet setting.

CUSTOM MADE Scale for 178mm Fons is working on this one...! N O T E :: You need a 178mm calculated distance scale (DIY) to use your aux. rangefinder effectively.! Speed Graphics are delivered with the distance scale based on a 135mm focal length. We have to replace it with a custom made scale that has to be recalculated for our Aero Ektar. Again this modification and calculation was done by Fons de Vries, resulting in a professional looking scale. With this scale and an auxilliary rangefinder, you can get precise sharp focus on the fly.

Aperture Marking Fons de Vries   Aperture handle.

CUSTOM MADE APERTURE MARKING by Fons de Vries The elder Aero Ektar lenses are often missing an aperture scale. You can make your own by taping a home made scale on it. A nicer one can be ordered at Fons de Vries.

Lens Shade by Fons de Vries   Aperture handle.

CUSTOM MADE SUNSHADE by Fons de Vries As we said before the sunshade on the Aero Ektar does not work earthbound....It was okay pointing down from a B-17. Solutions are: # 1 Buying a compendium # 2 Order one at Fons de Vries The shown hood can be fastened on the original lens-hood. A provision is made to accept the well-known LEE filters.

Cambo Reflex Mirror A dark cloth can be disturbing for people with hair and lesser hair aswell, especially when making images of handsome females :-) This Cambo monocular hood can be adapted for the Speed Graphic by Fons de Vries. Cambo Reflex Mirror The part with the yellow dot is the custom made adapter. by Fons de Vries   Cambo Reflex Mirror The part with the yellow dot is the custom made adapter. by Fons de Vries.   Cambo monocular reflex viewing hood and adapter.

ADAPTED REFLEX MIRROR VIEWER by Fons de Vries This lightweight, monocular reflex hood's unique design features a right angle viewer that rotates 360° to accommodate different camera heights. Look down through it during low camera setups and then just twist it to adjust for high setups. Because it is so compact and lightweight, you can leave it on the camera during film insertion and exposure so it's always ready for your next shot. It's also perfect for copystand applications. Mounts quickly to your ground glass back, locking securely in place with a single sliding lever. The 2.5X magnifier enhances both composing and focusing, while an optional Fresnel lens provides the brightest possible viewing over the entire image area. The soft rubber eyepiece also eliminates extraneous light, adds comfort during use and protects glasses from scratching. Sofar for the description but how to adapt it for your Speed graphic? Fons de Vries can do it for you!

Binocular Reflex housing   Sinar Bino Loupe

SINAR BINOCULAR REFLEX HOUSING Another possibility is this reflex housing. Disadvantage is its physical dimension. If you don't mind bulky items to carry around this can be an option. The Sinar binocular reflex housing has a built-in magnifier oculair 2x. It not only shows the images 'right side' up, it also enlarge the section with a loupe. These finders have one important thing in common, you will be aware of your surroundings. The DarkCloth does not!

Camera shown with professional compendium, aperture handle, Cambo Monoculair viewer/ Lumigrid GG and Linhof anatomical Grip. The Aero Ektar is completely hidden, but very capable taking contrasty images...   My Speed dressed up...

GRAF AERO EKTAR (Not the street version) My Speed dressed up... Definitely NOT the street version (Handheld shooting). This rig is however a pleasure to work with on a tripod. Camera shown with professional compendium, aperture handle, Cambo Monoculair viewer/ Lumigrid GG and Linhof anatomical Grip. Removing the compendium and Cambo viewer takes less than a second to get the handheld version with the coupled Kalart rangefinder for 178mm.

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