Busch Pressman C

Traduction de Dan Fromm
 

If I had to keep only one camera, perhaps it would be this one because it does several jobs.

This little press camera with double extension is very compact.  Closed, it measures only 8 x 12 x 8 cm.

Moreover, it allows swings and shifts like a large view camera.  Its format is 2¼ x 3¼ inches (approximately 6x9 cm) and it has a roll holder that accepts 120 film.

It has a viewfinder with parallax correction, a Kalart rangefinder, a wire frame finder and, yes, a ground glass.

This model is fitted with a 101/4.5 Wollensak Raptar on an easily removed lens board.  Its Rapax shutter’s speeds are T, B, 1, … , 1/400th.

A little marvel, especially for the owner lucky enough to have the roll holder.

In 1950 the Model C was sold for $US 73.40 without lens.

Translator’s comments:  Busch Pressman cameras may be rare in France, but are relatively common on the United States.  Two sizes (2x3, Model C; 4x5, Model D) of Busch Pressman were sold by Busch and by Sears, Roebuck, a large and then very important department store, as Tower Press cameras.

The 2x3 Pressman is not as useful as one would like because only a few emulsions are available in 2x3 sheet film.  There are two ways to use roll film with a 2x3 Pressman:  120 film in an Adapt-A-Roll 620 holder, which will feed from a 120 spool but must take up on a 620 spool; replace the Busch spring back with a Graflok back taken from a 2x3 Graphic, and then use any of the roll holders that can be attached to a 2x3 Graflok.