Moskva-2 and a 6x6 mask

[chodgson45]

Ladies and Gents I have a question of you;

I love my Moskva-2 but hate the 8 Pictures a roll I can achieve with it. I would like to do 6x6 frames instead of those large, sexy 6x9's from time to time.

However, the Moskva-2 doesn't have the second window to measure out where I'd need to stop winding.

SO - Any suggestions on building a 6x6 mask and winding the film so I don't have overlapping frames?

-Corey

[oftheherd]

A lot of experimentation?

It might be more fun to get a Moskva 5 and buy a mask for it. Or if you are certain you like 6x6 that much, consider one of the good but inexpensive 6x6 folders or TLRs.

[pakeha]

its been done, there was a moskva 2 on e-bay recently that had been converted, also a couple of Iskra converted for 6x4.5. I would imagine you just measure the frame numbers from some backing paper and find a donor window from another camera.Carefully drill the correct size hole using backing paper as a template,make the hole slightly undersize and ensure light sealed.Any donor camera would do.The mask can be made from black cardboard - there is a web page somewhere showing how to. just google `making 6x6 mask for camera. Or you could just get a moskva 4.The 5 is known for weak struts.

[oftheherd]

Originally Posted by pakeha

its been done, there was a moskva 2 on e-bay recently that had been converted, also a couple of Iskra converted for 6x4.5. I would imagine you just measure the frame numbers from some backing paper and find a donor window from another camera.Carefully drill the correct size hole using backing paper as a template,make the hole slightly undersize and ensure light sealed.Any donor camera would do.The mask can be made from black cardboard - there is a web page somewhere showing how to. just google `making 6x6 mask for camera. Or you could just get a moskva 4.The 5 is known for weak struts.

Awwwwgh. I wish you hadn't told me that. I thought mine had been modified for tilt.

[pakeha]

Originally Posted by oftheherd

Awwwwgh. I wish you hadn't told me that. I thought mine had been modified for tilt.

then again could be just another FSU/internet rumour

[Muggins]

Originally Posted by pakeha

its been done, there was a moskva 2 on e-bay recently that had been converted, also a couple of Iskra converted for 6x4.5. etc

And I have a Moskva-4 with which I can take 6x4.5, 6x6 or 6x9 as the mood takes me - though the mask for 6x4.5 has been so neatly converted that I couldn't easily undo it, and spent ages looking for an unmodified 6x6 one!

Note that the Moskva-4 mask is a very different beast to the Moskva-5 one.

Adrian

[pakeha]

Originally Posted by Muggins

And I have a Moskva-4 with which I can take 6x4.5, 6x6 or 6x9 as the mood takes me - though the mask for 6x4.5 has been so neatly converted that I couldn't easily undo it, and spent ages looking for an unmodified 6x6 one!

Note that the Moskva-4 mask is a very different beast to the Moskva-5 one.

Adrian

Think there was a 4 on e-bay with three windows also.The sellor stated he was not sure what the 3rd window was for - well if he could not work that out there was no point asking ang technical questionsI have been thinking of doing this myself. Your 4.5 mask - is it a converted 6x6 mask? I am thinking that simply making small panels to fit on the bellows side of a 6x6 mask would do. Any chance of a photo of your camera with 4.5 inserted?

[Muggins]

Originally Posted by pakeha

Your 4.5 mask - is it a converted 6x6 mask? I am thinking that simply making small panels to fit on the bellows side of a 6x6 mask would do. Any chance of a photo of your camera with 4.5 inserted?

Yes, it's a 6x6 mask with two brass panels inserted and the ends neatly tabbed and folded over.

Happy to take a photo but please send a PM or email (or both!) through RFF - that way I'm more likely to be reminded by seeing it in my emails, and you are more likley to poke me into action - being busy, stressed, and disorganised is a bad combination!

ETA - drat, still got half a film in it - will have to try to shift it in the next week or two!

Adrian

[pakeha]

Originally Posted by Muggins

Yes, it's a 6x6 mask with two brass panels inserted and the ends neatly tabbed and folded over.

Happy to take a photo but please send a PM or email (or both!) through RFF - that way I'm more likely to be reminded by seeing it in my emails, and you are more likley to poke me into action - being busy, stressed, and disorganised is a bad combination!

ETA - drat, still got half a film in it - will have to try to shift it in the next week or two!

Adrian

No problem, looks like we work for a similar outfit, your explanation has described how I thought I would go about it.
regards CW

[Muggins]

Pakeha - fiklm finished, will try to get pics online tonight.

Adrian

[Muggins]

Here we go (dig that barrel distortion!).

Mask in camera:



Back of camera:


The pressure plate:


Finally, the 6x6 and the 6x4.5 masks together:


Adrian

[pakeha]

thanks Adrian, as I thought not really that differcult to do, and a tidy job has been done on yours.The pressure plate drilling would be most critical I guess.
Little side story. Thanks for putting these up..good resource
regards
CW

[Muggins]

My pleasure, CW. The only place where his skills deserted him was the viewfinder - there's a pop-up 6x6 mask in it already, and he could only come up with fitting two pieces of card in the rear glass. Other than that, it's beautifully done!

Adrian