Y E L L O W D O T T U N I N G S E R V I C E A M E R S F O O R T Fons de Vries and his personal combo MEET FONS DE VRIES Fons has been an aerial photographer till his retirement in 2001. Already owning and modding Linhof Technika camera's for many years these cameras had no secrets anymore. After buying the Aero Ektar, he felt the need to own a Speed Graphic aswell... Buying his second SG it all started, the camera was a piece of junk (Actually I did see it and can confirm), but not for Fons . The Camera was taken apart and rebuilt from scratch. New springs in the shutter assembly, new leather and some, you name it. Seeing the camera after restauration, I was overwhelmed with surprise...! Should this camera have been his works to graduate as a craftsman, there would be no doubt ever that he made it with the highest possible score. Not only cameras on this fair in Houten... Always on the look-out.. CAMERA FAIR HOUTEN To keep in touch with classic cameras, many photographic camera fairs are visited. Fons and I recently (10-11-2008)visited this International Photographic event. Seen here, is Fons at the world's largest photografica fair in Houten (Netherlands). The place to be to find those parts to restore and modify cameras. Apart from zillions of analog and digital cameras which can be seen and inspected, there is a lot to learn about history also. Not often, but sometimes a graflex can be spotted... Cameras, cameras .... Complete overhauled Graflex Complete overhauled Graflex Example of a SG completely overhauled and tuned YELLOW DOT TUNING SERVICE Shown from both sides the restored Speed Graphic. Fons can do a lot of things, for more of his innovations see also our page Grafinnovations" Fons lives in Amersfoort- the Netherlands. He can be reached by E-mail from the userpage. If you have a barrel lens with an odd diameter, just ask him, he makes custom lensboards also. Custom made lensboards (any size hole) If you are in need of a lensboard or spacer/retainer rings or even a complete Aero Ektar, please don't hesitate to ask. We might have just what you're looking for. Inquire here Aero Ektar on Yellow Dot board AERO EKTAR on Yellow Dot board YELLOW DOT BOARD The perfect mount. The legendary AERO EKTAR 7 In mounted on a custom made lensboard by Yellow Dot Service. (Note the yellow dot in the upper right corner. Lensboards are handmade by Fons de Vries and available in polished brass or painted night-black. Only drawback, you have to widen the lighttrap accordingly. Actually it is the metal trap glued to the bellows(Not the front standard) See more details at our MOD 3 page. Aero Ektar custom made compendium Aero Ektar custom made compendium AERO EKTAR CUSTOM COMPENDIUM AERO EKTAR COMPENDIUM Some earlier Aero Ektars come with a non-detachable hood. No problem for Fons, he made this compendium from scratch. This compendium can hold 7 Inch filters from Lee and other brands. The front accepts vignetting masks. Alternate hand grip Alternate hand grip GRAFLEX ALTERNATE HAND GRIP. Not a modification, but just making use what's available on the market. In this case a handgrip from a Graflex Aerial camera. Much cheaper than the Linhof Grip. A cable release can be accomodated also... Shown on the last image, an alternate wire frame from linhof mounted on the Graflex framefinder. The Universal finder has to be removed and the proper Linhof peepside has to be mounted to make it effectively. 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 Aperture Marking Fons de Vries Aperture handle. CUSTOM MADE APERTURE MARKINGby 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. 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 VIEWERby 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! CanHam Professional Compendium CanHam Professional Compendium ADAPTING THE CANHAM PROF SHADE ADAPTING THE CANHAM PROF. COMPENDIUM Instead of buying a new compendium, I have used the Compendium from the CanHam 8x10. The mounting was very basic by means of a little strap. Fons advised to make a mount on the top of the Wire frame finder of the Speed. And so he did, a very sturdy clip with UNC thread, resulting in a very professional solution. The completed combo with some of Yellow Dot Service innovations... Yellow Dot Tuning Service visiting JohnD Yellow Dot Tuning Service visiting JohnD Austin Healy 100/4 Le Mans JohnD I will opt for this one.... I will opt for this one.... Fons attending a meeting at JohnD's place During summer time, Fons drives this Porsche 911 Cabrio-wide body from 1983. Most of the restauration/restoring of this vintage car he did himself also... Restoring Speed Graphics is another thing in which he excels. I owned a car just like this one (Austin Healy 100/4 (1956)....but that was in the 60 ties. Unfortunately, I could not afford to keep it. Remarkable though or maybe not...Speed Graphic owners nowadays seem to have the same interest. They love the way vintage things were made. Cars, watches, cameras a.o are no longer built that way...sigh! Deo Volente....I will opt for this one.....if I make the ultimate Aero Ektar Image, published worldwide!! There's a saying " Having a purpose is better than achieving it", which I doubt.... This page is part of "The MasterSite for the larger camera" COPYRIGHT NOTICE: PUBLISHED PHOTOGRAPHS NOR TEXT MAY USED WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSCENT OF THE AUTHOR.PHOTOGRAPHS MAY NOT BE CROPPED, RETOUCHED OR AIRBRUSHED IN ANY WAY WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF JOHN D. PHOTOGRAPHY.ALTERING THESE PHOTOS WITHOUT PERMISSION WILL RESULT IN CHARGES FOR DAMAGED PHOTOGRAPHS.THERE WILL BE WHATSOEVER NO CAPTURING, RESAMPLING, SCANNING, DIGITISING OR STORAGE OF IMAGES ON A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WITHOUT THE WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR. THE NATURE OF THE CAPTIONS MUST BE RESPECTED.ALL THESE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE COPYRIGHT OF JOHN D.PHOTOGRAPHY & JOHND.ESQ © 1999,2007
Fons has been an aerial photographer till his retirement in 2001. Already owning and modding Linhof Technika camera's for many years these cameras had no secrets anymore. After buying the Aero Ektar, he felt the need to own a Speed Graphic aswell... Buying his second SG it all started, the camera was a piece of junk (Actually I did see it and can confirm), but not for Fons . The Camera was taken apart and rebuilt from scratch. New springs in the shutter assembly, new leather and some, you name it. Seeing the camera after restauration, I was overwhelmed with surprise...! Should this camera have been his works to graduate as a craftsman, there would be no doubt ever that he made it with the highest possible score.
To keep in touch with classic cameras, many photographic camera fairs are visited. Fons and I recently (10-11-2008)visited this International Photographic event. Seen here, is Fons at the world's largest photografica fair in Houten (Netherlands). The place to be to find those parts to restore and modify cameras. Apart from zillions of analog and digital cameras which can be seen and inspected, there is a lot to learn about history also.
Example of a SG completely overhauled and tuned
Shown from both sides the restored Speed Graphic. Fons can do a lot of things, for more of his innovations see also our page Grafinnovations"
Fons lives in Amersfoort- the Netherlands. He can be reached by E-mail from the userpage. If you have a barrel lens with an odd diameter, just ask him, he makes custom lensboards also.
If you are in need of a lensboard or spacer/retainer rings or even a complete Aero Ektar, please don't hesitate to ask. We might have just what you're looking for. Inquire here
AERO EKTAR on Yellow Dot board
The perfect mount. The legendary AERO EKTAR 7 In mounted on a custom made lensboard by Yellow Dot Service. (Note the yellow dot in the upper right corner. Lensboards are handmade by Fons de Vries and available in polished brass or painted night-black.
Only drawback, you have to widen the lighttrap accordingly. Actually it is the metal trap glued to the bellows(Not the front standard) See more details at our MOD 3 page.
AERO EKTAR CUSTOM COMPENDIUM
Some earlier Aero Ektars come with a non-detachable hood. No problem for Fons, he made this compendium from scratch. This compendium can hold 7 Inch filters from Lee and other brands. The front accepts vignetting masks.
Not a modification, but just making use what's available on the market. In this case a handgrip from a Graflex Aerial camera. Much cheaper than the Linhof Grip. A cable release can be accomodated also... Shown on the last image, an alternate wire frame from linhof mounted on the Graflex framefinder. The Universal finder has to be removed and the proper Linhof peepside has to be mounted to make it effectively.
Custom made 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
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
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
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.
Cambo monocular reflex viewing hood and adapter.
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!
ADAPTING THE CANHAM PROF SHADE
Instead of buying a new compendium, I have used the Compendium from the CanHam 8x10. The mounting was very basic by means of a little strap. Fons advised to make a mount on the top of the Wire frame finder of the Speed. And so he did, a very sturdy clip with UNC thread, resulting in a very professional solution. The completed combo with some of Yellow Dot Service innovations...
Yellow Dot Tuning Service visiting JohnD
I will opt for this one....
During summer time, Fons drives this Porsche 911 Cabrio-wide body from 1983. Most of the restauration/restoring of this vintage car he did himself also... Restoring Speed Graphics is another thing in which he excels. I owned a car just like this one (Austin Healy 100/4 (1956)....but that was in the 60 ties. Unfortunately, I could not afford to keep it. Remarkable though or maybe not...Speed Graphic owners nowadays seem to have the same interest. They love the way vintage things were made. Cars, watches, cameras a.o are no longer built that way...sigh! Deo Volente....I will opt for this one.....if I make the ultimate Aero Ektar Image, published worldwide!! There's a saying " Having a purpose is better than achieving it", which I doubt....
