Anybody Here Using the Plaubel Peco Junior?

[Nokton48]

Fujinon GX lenses on digital medium format

Short version: Fujinon GX lenses for the Fuji GX680 system are an option if you need a large image circle on a camera that provides a focusing rail. Image quality is very good, and they’re inexpensive. However, to use these lenses on a digital camera you really need to disassemble and remount...

www.getdpi.com

Here's an excellent guide to modifying Fujinon EBC GX680 lenses, he's using digital but applies as well to Plaubel Peco Junior. I'm still looking for a decent 50mm, and also the 115mm F3.2. I have everything else is except the zoom, the soft lens, and the 300mm. These are all excellent lenses available for not too much money. Even less is they are broken, it makes no difference to me.

 

[Nokton48]

Fuji GX680 50mm f5.6 Seiko Shutter by Nokton48, on Flickr

• My Plaubel Junior restored with New to me 50mm F5.6 Fuji GX680 lens, purchased broken, at a good discount, from Adorama in NYC. They also included the Gelatin Filter Holder/50mm Hood, it's worth some Dollars so a great deal. The view through the 50mm is AMAZING. Can't wait to shoot some test 6.5x9cm Makina Back Film. EVentually I will buy some type of Digital Medium Format Back. The Peco Junior has a Leica-like smoothness and feel. Plaubel advertised as "The Rolls Royce of Cameras" in the day. Works smoothly and tightly in a Leica-type of way. Also looked through my 4x5" Sinar Normas with this lens. It's amazingly sharp-looking and nice and contrasty view. This will get some use now, rather than becoming an interesting broken ornament. BTW I should mention that I bought the camera for 70 Bucks from Adorama. Another great price. And it included a lens board with a #0 hole
• 
  The 50mm f5.6 GX680 takes 105mm filters, so I am glad I have the 4x4" Gelatin Holder and Hood for the GX50, It just covers the outer cell diameter, barely. I have a complete set of Kodak Wratten Gelatin 4x4" B&W Filters, so I am set. The 65mm and 80mm share a hood that also takes 4x4 Gelatins.

 

[lobitar]

I don't believe G-Clarons are dialyte. from what I've read early ones are a Dagor type formula, and the later ones are Plasmats of some kind.

I know the F9 is due to the design, I just wonder why they're all designed to f9? I have plasmat process lenses, tessar process lenses, dialyte process lenses, all with f9 as the max aperture. (actually, I don't know if an "apo-tessar" is really a tessar, or is just using the name.

Right, the G-Clarons are not dialytes. Perhaps Nokton meant Repro-Clarons, that are dialytes - and very nice lenses at that.
Some Apo-Tessars (at least the 600 mm) had an airspace between the two rear lenses, that were otherwise balsamed together.

 

[Nokton48]

Digital Back Peco Jr 150mm F9 Apo Ronar by Nokton48, on Flickr

Plaubel Peco Junior 6.5x9cm view camera, with homemade Digital Back. Rodenstock 150mm F9 Apo Ronar at F11. A tiny GEM of a lens.

Yes I was thinking of Repro Clarons .

 

[Nokton48]

Getting There Set of GX680 Lenses Seiko Shutters by Nokton48, on Flickr

• Getting there with my set of Fuji GX680 lenses, with Seiko #2 Shutters added. Mounted on PLaubel Peco Junior boards and Minolta SRT cable releases, Yellow Filters on each, and Hoods too. From the left front, the 50mm F5.6, then the 65mm F5.6, then the 80mm F5.6. On the far right front, the 100mm F4. Back Row, from the left, the 125mm F3.2, then the 150mm F5.6. Next the 180mm F3.2, and on the far right, the 210mm F5.6 Also adding the 250mm F5.6, should be tommorrow, got another Seiko Shutter coming. The 50mm front view reminds me of the HAL9000 fisheye in 2001: A Space Odyssey. It looks about the same LOL Testing phase is coming up. Will utilize them all depending on the situation. I doubt I'll take them out all at once, too much weight! But select two or three depending on what my intended use will be. In the studio I will have the luxury of selecting whichever meets the intended needs of the photograph. So very straightforward. And good to have a choice of focal lengths in the same modern glass. The 50mm and 65mm take a Gel 4x4 Fuji Hood which is cool with me; I have a complete set of 4x4 B&W Gel Wrattens.
  

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Using Brass Hobby Modeling Screws I bolted a Plaubel 120x120 Adapter Board, to a Sinar Norma Uber Heavy Metal Homemade Machined Norma Board (heavily used) LOL. Always wondered what I would ever do with this thing LOL. So now all my Plaubel Junior mounted boards fit onto the Norma, which I can go up to 8x10, although with these 4x5 will do it nicely. This is the Schneider 135mm F3.8 Schneider Xenar, a not often seen lens, in the F3.8 version. Great to look through on the 4x5 Norma. The tripod is Shulman-inspired Leica Tiltall, modded with aluminum block. This tripod is in Shulman's books on Architecture and Interiors, which I studied intensely back in the Eighties.

 

[Nokton48]

OK So I built this Jim Galvin 2x3 Graflex Back (bought from Glenn Evans) and I adapted it to the Peco Junior. The idea is to be able to use this with Graflex Wind Lever Backs, from which the Galvin Back was designed to use. So I picked up the pieces to make two usuable 220 6x7 RH20 Backs, a 120 RH10 (6x7), and also a usuable 120 RH8 (6x9). So I've cleaned these up, loaded with fresh film, and firstly shot a dummy roll through each to check the frame spacing. These are nice backs to use, flatten the film as it goes through, uncomplicated and comfortable to use. With 220 Shanghai I gain some 220 firepower as far as shooting without reloading, so that is a good thing. To see the groundglass fine detail I am making the fresnel lens easy to take off. To further get going I am thinking of ordering a custom made dark cloth, I think it will fit the Galvin Back very well and very functional with no downsides. And I have a lot of 2x3 Graphic Holders which also work just great in the Galvin. Finally I have a number of 2x3 Graphmatic Backs, so I will be able to shoot all kinds of emulsions in the Peco Junior. I've been looking at the Aptus 22 as a digital back possibility. Seems a like a lot of digital medium format back at lower money

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Fred Newman at BZTS has a smaller BZTS Focus Hood, that I think will fit the 2x3 Galvin Back on the Peco Jr. Also it should work with the European 6x9 Peco Jr Back I have. And also, I found my Grey 2x3" Graflex Peco Junior Back, which it should also fit? This is getting to really be fun

I'm busy cleaning and loading old holders

 

[Nokton48]

Galvin 2x3 Graphic Back 75mm F8 Super Angulon Compur Twin Levels by Nokton48, on Flickr

I've been test shooting with this camera in the studio. Jim Galvin 2x3 Graphic Wind Back Peco Junior Plaubel with 75mm F8 Schneider Super Angulon. I have the specific Schneider Center Filter for the 75 F8 which will go on this. Good when doing exptreme movements. I like shooting 6x9cm images with the 75mm F8 it's a needle sharp Sinar approved lens. Added Two Bubble Levels from B&H, which make the camera now VERY precise to align. Very well made mechanism it's quick and seamless to operate. Looking at the Aptus 22 Digital Backs, it might be a good choice for this. A lot of medium format digital back for not that much money. Anyway this is ready to go outside. I will prolly be working out of mu olde Zone VI Small Monorail Bag, I used to carry my 4x5 Norma around in it, it worked good. Last thing is a BZTS Focusing Hood, has elastic stretching fitting tightly, so I can compose in bright sunlight. Looking forward to testing this outside. Too cold right now!

 

[Nokton48]

Galvin 2x3 Graphic Back 75mm F8 Super Angulon Compur Twin Levels by Nokton48, on Flickr

Digisnap for the above post; Not sure what happened to the link?




SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Fred Newman at The Darkroom Store looked around for me, and he had in stock, a smaller version (fits about 18x18 inches), perfect for my two Peco Juniors. This finishes my basic kit for these cameras and it works great, will get used to it. Since I have three Spring-Loaded Sheet Film Backs, The Galvin 2x3 (fits Graphic sheet and lever wind roll backs), The Plaubel Makiflex #526 Bail Back (fits 6x9 and 2x3 Linhof Glass Holders!, and finally, a grey 6x9 European Peco Jr Sheet Back, which came with dedicated 6x9 single shot holders, and a couple of double sided, too. This hood works with all of these, and is very well designed to be useful to me. Much nicer than the olde horse blanket! Camera shown with my Fuji GX680 180mm F3.2 in Seiko Shutter.

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Two more Seiko LS23 Shutters have just arrived from Japan, so these two Maki mounted lenses, the GX680 210mm F5.6, and the 180mm F5.6 GX680 are now finished and integrated into the Plaubel Peco Junior lens bank. These are not expensive lenses compared to the more exotic ones, and both are really excellent. I just shot a sweep table still life with the 180mm F5.6, shooting Ilford PanF+, Overhead Softbox Lighting with frontal foamcore panel fill. Very luscious looking on the 6x9 Ground glass. These are very good lenses I can tell. Well worth the money

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Completely restored Plaubel Peco Junior with Bag Bellows and Plaubel Makina Back with homemade Rotating Magnifier. Camera shown focused at infinity, very light and compact for easy carrying. Along with the widest lens (58mm Grandy), I also have: 65mm f6.8 Schneider Angulon, 65mm F8 Super Angulon with Center Filter, 75mm f8 Super Angulon with Center Filter, 135mm F3.8 Schneider Xenar, and 150mm F9 Rodenstock Apo Ronar. All this fits in my olde blue generic camera bag. In each end pocket are two 120 Plaubel Makina 6x9 Backs. Extra 120 rolls, tape, markers, notebook, etc all fit in the bag. It's not lightweight, but it's quite a BIG outfit cut down to minimum size.

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

The Fuji GX680 Lens Set, from left 125mm F5.6 GX680, 210mm F5.6 GX680, and right the 250mm F5.6 GX680. All neatly shuttered Seiko LS23 Shutters from Fujinon WS lenses. lensboards 3D printed from the Guy in Italy, light seals added by me using Rotary Cutter to cut strips. Works good Minolta SRT Cable Releases (Good Ones!) 82mm Yellow Filters, Rubber Lenshood. Lens on left not finished, needs JB Welded Ring to board, back cell lip removed by me with grinder (to back focus on Makiflex) now needs brush painted with Krylon. Also I will Krylon the back of the lens board to make sure no leaks.

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

The last of my Fujinon Gx680 to Plaubel Peco Junior conversions. The 125mm f5.6 GX680 is a great lens and is not 'spensive. Fits good in a Seiko LS23 Shutter which is properly marked starting at F5.6 Yellow filter and Rubber Hood, will add Minolta SRT Cable Release and it's almost ready to go. I still have to JB Weld the very large mounting ring to the biggie cutout on the Peco Jr metal board. Fits perfectly I also re-did the light trap on the back board with some black adhesive foam cut to fit. Right now it's usuable but held together with the blue masking tape LOL

 

[Nokton48]

180mm f5.6 GX680 Peco Jr Makina 6.5x9cm PanF+ D23 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Testing long rail Plaubel Peco Junior with Fuji GX680 180mm f5.6 Yellow Filter Ilford PanF+ Plaubel Makina Film Back. D23 1:1 JOBO Multitank 6 Etone Tank Roller, Omega DII Omegalite 180mm black Rodagon laser aligned. Arista #2 RC paper Dektol 1:2. I like this new Plaubel Mini-Me View Camera. It is FUN to use; the homemade Makina rotating Viewfinder works great; I can see the camera movements, focus or not focus, on the tiny screen. This lens passes it's initial test

 

[Nokton48]

Shell Peco Jr 180mm f5.6 Fuji GX680 PanF+ D23 by Nokton48, on Flickr

Plaubel Peco Junior 180mm F5.6 Fuji GX680 Ilford PanF+ Plaubel Makina Film Back D23 1:1 JOBO Multitank6 Etone Tank Roller Omega DII 180mm black Rodagon laser aligned Arista #2 RC Dektol 1:2. Broncolor C200 Monolight Broncolor Octobox 150 Foamcore Fill Panel. Tim Layton digital background (printed at Sam's Club) on FOBA Sweep Table. Used a lot of camera movements to get the tines sharp as was possible.

 

[Nokton48]

13.5cm F4.2 Restored Plaubel Anticolar 100 years Olde by Nokton48, on Flickr

My eyes widened when I saw this 100 year olde 13.5cm F4.2 Anticomar lens (shutter huffed) on Ebay. I made an offer and it was accepted. Then took it to Mac at Camtronics who did an expert CLA on it. We both think it is 1930's era so 100 years olde, prolly off an olde 9x12cm Plaubel Folder. Cut and flocked a 3D printed Peco Junior board from Italy, painted the lens back with Flat Black Krylon with brush, it was really UGLY. Luscious to look through, but slightly hazy, as are all my Orthometars. Kind of like that Orthometar "look" kinda retro. Anyways a good example of how I restore something others might disgard. I see 100 examples of F2.9 Orthometar, to one F4.2 Orthometar. The "sharp" lens for commercial, reportage, and travel according to Plaubel. Works like new on my long rail Peco Junior. Finally I found a dark yellow glass disc in my filter box, and cut a strip of Hollywood Gaffer Tape, to attach it to the new F4.2 "Sharp" lens.

Recently I bought an original more modern 150mm F4.2, nice to have something just slightly wider if much older

 

[Nokton48]

Plaubel Peco Jr 58mm F5.6 Graflex XL Grandagon PanF D23 Makina 120 Roll Back by Nokton48, on Flickr

Sawed-Off Plaubel Peco Jr 6x9cm View Camera, 58mm f5.6 Graflex XL Grandagon at F16. PanF+ developed in JOBO Uniroller D23 1:1. Omega DII laser aligned 150mm F5.6 Black Rodagon 5x7 Arista RC #2 Dektol 1:2. Liked how the snow covered the table top, focused on the central wheel. The Makina 120 6x9cm Film Back fits the Peco Jr, Makiflexes, and Makinas. So the backs move around on the cameras. I used the Peco Jr Magnifying Hood with swivel and Magnifying Lens, I can shift top and bottom, or left and right, and brightly examine the images. Well enough to see the sharpness on the screen.

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

Camera and Lens used to take this test shot

 

[Nokton48]

Peco Jr Long Rail 150mm Apo Ronar PanF D23 80x80 Pulsoflex Makina Back by Nokton48, on Flickr

Here I am testing my new to me 150mm F9 Rodenstock Apo-Ronar, a tiny Process Dialyte of good repute. Attached to my long rail Peco Junior Mini-Me View Camera, with Adjustable Viewer and Plaubel Makina 6x9cm Roll Back. Yellow Filter Pan F+ D23 1:1 JOBO Uniroller Omega DII laser aligned, 8x10 Arista RC #2 Dektol 1:2 . 80x80cm Broncolor C171 Pulsoflex Softbox camera left, 4x6 foam core sheet just off camera right. Low Key Background by James Bright

 

[Nokton48]

Plaubel Anticomar 150mm F4.2 Makina Hood Makina Filters by Nokton48, on Flickr

So today I pulled out my 150mm F4.2 Plaubel Anticomar, mounted on a Peco Junior Board. It's finally finished, I resolved a few details that were bugging me. The cable release wobbled a bit, so I JB Welded a bolt to the board, and secured the cable with a strip of Hollywood Gaffer Tape. Also resolved the lack of hood and proper filters for this lens. It turns out, that the Makina Filters and the Plaubel Makina Lenshood, screw directly into the threads on the barrel of the lens. So Obviously it was designed to work that way, So Hurray! I have a good set of Makina Filters and Hoods, these will stay on the Anticomars. It's cool when you discover something out of the blue LOL

 

[Nokton48]

SONY DSC by Nokton48, on Flickr

My 150mm F9 Rodenstock Apo-Ronar, for the Plaubel Peco Junior view camera, with custom made by me, Jim Galvin Back, that takes Wind Knob Graphic Backs, very quick to operate and modern reliable. An Ednalite Magnifier, and also my olde Printer's Loupe, hang off the camera. Both loupes are great for inspecting the image uber sharp. I just got a series 5 Hood and Medium Yellow Filter for this lens, this completes the lens. It's mounted on a 3D printed board from Italy, light trapped by me with adhesive foam and ready to roll. Fred Newmans Light Hood is what I use in leiu of focusing cloth, it's more comfortable to me, as well as being fully light tight, for extended viewing. I love Apo Ronars, this is the tiniest one. In fact I like it so much I have three of them, two in barrel $50 each. So same lens for different cameras, best of the best. Broncolor C171 Monolight Beauty Grid Head camera right, silver reflector camera left. New Background painted for me by Artist David Maheu, "Faded Linen"

 

[Nokton48]

65mm F6.8 Schneider Angulon Compur on Peco Junior by Nokton48, on Flickr

A 30.5mm Lens Hood arrived for my freshly overhauled 65mm F6.8 Schneider Angulon lens. This is right out of the Plaubel catalogs of the day, mounted on correct Recessed Peco Junior Board. Fun to look through, I enjoy using Angulons, and this one is so tiny! This one will be getting some use in the field, when I want to travel light with view camera. That's my Swiveling Magnifier Hood, camera takes Makina Backs 6.5x9cm, and plates as well. Yellow 30.5mm Filter is comin'.

 

[Nokton48]

Shell Peco Jr 180mm f5.6 Fuji GX680 PanF+ D23 by Nokton48, on Flickr

I like this one, I increased the contrast slightly, I prefer this version. Peco Junior, Fuji GX680 hacked to PJ.

 

[Nokton48]

Short and Long Peco Juniors 150 F9 and 58mm F5.6 by Nokton48, on Flickr

My Short and Long Plaubel Peco Juniors. On the left, the 150mm F9 Rodenstock Apo-Ronar, a GEM of a lens, a favorite. On the right, another favorite, a 58mm F5.6 Rodenstock Grandagon in Graflex XL Mount, I refitted it to a Peco Junior Board. Both of these are original lenses, pretty much as they were in the catalogs of the day. Ready to take out when it's warm around here. Both lenses have medium filters, and proper hoods as well, ready to shoot! Camera on left takes Graflex Wind Knobs Backs (kinda modern). Camera on right has a swiveling viewfinder which I love, takes 6x6cm and 6.5x9cm Plaubel Makina Backs, as well as
Plaubel Glass Plate Holders and Planfilms of all kinds.

 

[Nokton48]

Plaubel Suprocomar 100mm F2.9 by Nokton48, on Flickr

This is coming to me from the Ukraine. The Plaubel 100mm Suprocomar F3.9 in Compur shutter. Plan to use it on my Plaubel Peco Juniors. Is anybody here familiar with this lens, I have several Anticomars and like them. Is this off of an olde Plaubel Folding camera??