I have recently purchased a 20" x 24" Paul Drews German camera. I know nothing about this camera except that it BIG, REALLY BIG. I would like info for parts, advise, lenses, film for it, reducing backs, tripods?, everything and anything concerning this camera. It kinda looks like the one that Calumet rents for seminars for Polaroid. Just give me a site or e-mail address and the questions will come. I found this camera in an old mans garage and he said his uncle gave it to him in the 60's. He can't remember anything past that. He said it was in his way. (OOhh my god!) He said he thought about throwing it away! He said that he knew it was an antique and that's the only reason he kept it. Man what a find. It has to many options to list. Just get in touch with me someone!!!!!

-- Jason M. Brubaker (jasonmic@hotmail.com), July 28, 2000

Answers

Jason, Can you post a picture for us to look at. I kinda think I know what you have, but more information would be helpful. What sort of options are too many to list. These could give some valuable information to those of us who may be able to help you!

-- fred (fdeaton@hiwaay.net), July 28, 2000.

You Lucky bugger! Now, how will you pay for film? I guess you don't have to eat or put the kids through orthodontia? Did it come with tripod holders and a lens? Haver you got trays large enough? Or are you gonna drum process?

Try e-mailing these floks to get an idea what you're getting into:

http://www.michaelandpaula.com

http://www.superlarge.com

http://clydebutcher.com/

http://www.hevanet.com/cperez/cameras/big_camera2.html

http://www.azstarnet.com/platinum/

http://www.jps.net/kerik/

and of course Ron Wisner at www.wisner.com

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), July 28, 2000.

Nice find!

-- David Goldfarb (dgoldfarb@barnard.edu), July 28, 2000.

I think Bergger has film in that size.

-- Wayne Crider (waynec@apt.net), July 29, 2000.

Darkroom Innovations (now called the View Camera Store) sells HP5+ film in 20 x 24 for $382 per 25 sheets. That's over $15 per shot, not including processing.

I've been told by a Jobo employee that film can be processed in a Jobo 20 x 24 print drum. The largest sheet film drum Jobo makes is 16 x 20.

Wisner's site has a list of classic lenses that cover 20 x 24. Some say the Fujinon 600 C covers this format, even though its specs say otherwise.

Ries makes a tripod for the 60 pound Wisner 20 x 24, the A100-2. If your camera is substantially lighter, you might be able to get away with the lighter Ries A100.

Various people make filmholders in extra large format, but be cautious: once you get above 8 x 10, there are no universal standards, so some filmholders will fit and others won't.

Reducing backs would probably have to be custom made. But why would you want one? If you're going to go to the trouble of carrying a 20 x 24 camera, you should get 20 x 24 images as a reward for that effort.

I just ordered a 16 x 20 camera, so I'll be interested to hear about y

-- Stewart Ethier (s_ethier@parkcity.net), July 29, 2000.

Lotus makes a 20x24 camera and have some acesories - film, holders etc. But not cheap!

http://www.lotusviewcamera.at/

Tim A

-- tim atherton (tim@KairosPhoto.com), July 29, 2000.

wow! the thought of trying to deal with hand processing film that large seems pretty overwhelming to me (though i can remember when i was sure there was no way i would ever be interested in using a big bulky 4x5 monorail camera). as a serious admirer of the 19th century mammoth plate photographers such as watkins and baldus, i would just like to give my most sincere encouragement to those of you who endeavor to create images at such a magnificent scale. i have closely examined the ~21x28" contact prints of many of watkins views from oregon in 1867, and if he could do that with the optics of that period, i cannot imagine how incredibly fine a well made contemporary 20x24 inch contact print might look!

-- jnorman (jnorman@teleport.com), July 29, 2000.

$380 for 25 sheets? You sure won't be doing much bracketing! There was an article in "View Camera" magazine (I believe) some time back by someone who used a camera this size and the various difficulties he faced and how he solved them. Among other things, as I recall it took two people to load the film holders. In any event, you should be able to find the article through the index and it might be of some help. It's conceivable that the article was in "Photo Techniques" but "View Camera" seems to most logical place. You might also contact Tillman Crane, who puts on the mammoth camera workshop once a year. He's a very nice guy and I'm sure would try to answer any specific questions you have. I don't have his e mail address but you could do a search for his name in Deja.com or maybe someone else can post it.

-- Brian Ellis (bellis@tampabay.rr.com), August 02, 2000.

Hi, I saw an advert in a magazine, you can get 100 ASA Maco b+w film for £60 for 10 sheets or £162 for 30. It is in the UK, the website is:

www.mrcad.co.uk

Also, they sell the same film in: 20x16 - £40.00 for 10, £110 for 30 12x16 - £24.00 for 10, £66 for 30 11x14 - £19.00 for 10, £54 for 30 10x12 - £14.00 for 10, £39 for 30 9 1/2x 12 - £14.00 for 10, £39 for 30 10x8 - £11.00 for 10, £30 for 30 6 1/2x8 1/2 - £9.00 for 10, £24 for 30 5x7, 4 3/4x6 1/2, 5x4, 2 1/2x3 1/2

Hope this helps somebody....

-- David Ivison (david_ivison@yahoo.co.uk), September 29, 2001.

ps.

£60 is $87 £162 is $235 it is much cheaper than i have seen elsewhere.

-- David Ivison (david_ivison@yahoo.co.uk), September 29, 2001.

Jason, I just came across your post from last year, how have you made out? I don't know the specific camera you're refering to, but I am the guy with the Polaroid in San Francisco, (not at Calumet anymore-opened my own place) I'll help if I can, Tracy Storer, Director Polaroid 20x24 Studio San Franci

-- Tracy Storer (tstorer480@yahoo.com), November 08, 2001.