Large Format Photography Forum - LF DIY (Do It Yourself) http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ - discussions of how to build, restore or repair large format cameras and equipment or accessories for handling large format negatives (4x5 and larger). en Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:46:48 GMT vBulletin 15 http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/images/misc/rss.png Large Format Photography Forum - LF DIY (Do It Yourself) http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/ Looking to build a field camera http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104495-Looking-to-build-a-field-camera&goto=newpost Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:42:58 GMT Hi, I'm looking for a little advice and guidance here. I'm looking to build a 8x10 field type camera (or if some one can provide diagrams, a clone of a 2D or other camera of that style). Apart from Jon Grepstads' site, are there any other resources online - e.g places for the machined parts such as focus racks, leaf springs etc. Not very trusting of MDF so I'd rather not go down the bulldog camera route. What kind of wood is suitable? I'll have a good bit of American White Oak and possibly some Maple left over from a renovation project - are these good for constructing the camera or are there better woods to use?

I plan on using part of a Toyo 45G front standard, possibly building in a shutter (depending on how much rescuing it needs, but looking at the ebay pics the shutter cloth is likely shot). ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) DKirk http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104495-Looking-to-build-a-field-camera DIY 1 to 1 fixed focus 14x17 box portrait camera questions http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104472-DIY-1-to-1-fixed-focus-14x17-box-portrait-camera-questions&goto=newpost Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:22:28 GMT I recently became aware of the Big Shot Polaroid and have one coming soon. I understand it is fixed focus and one does the focus with your feet, in... I recently became aware of the Big Shot Polaroid and have one coming soon. I understand it is fixed focus and one does the focus with your feet, in the 'Big Shot Shuffle' manner. http://www.polaroidland.net/2012/06/...-the-big-shot/

I want to expand/upsize the concept to 14X17 X-Ray film.

I have no problem with making DIY film holders or GG, and would, make the box from glued up foam core and wood strips.

The idea would to make the box exactly the right length and mount it on something adjustable, like an old enlarger rack. Obviously a studio rig.

Then adjust focus by moving the whole box.

I like the idea of portraits reflecting actual head, hat and hair size, giving an image series a more realistic range.

Perhaps use a 19" Artar or maybe, a Kodak Portrait 305 mm. Whatever covers, maybe Reinhold's next lens.

Is this possible? Is it a bad idea?

Has it been done? ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) Randy Moe http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104472-DIY-1-to-1-fixed-focus-14x17-box-portrait-camera-questions New bellows for my Eastman 2d full plate http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104428-New-bellows-for-my-Eastman-2d-full-plate&goto=newpost Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:02:35 GMT Hi everybody, I need your help for the rebuilt of my Eastman view camera 2d in full plate. Does anybody know the exact dimensions of the bellow... Hi everybody,
I need your help for the rebuilt of my Eastman view camera 2d in full plate.
Does anybody know the exact dimensions of the bellow frames and the bellows? ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) DerIkonograph http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104428-New-bellows-for-my-Eastman-2d-full-plate Rittreck View Bellows Installation | Opinions http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104413-Rittreck-View-Bellows-Installation-Opinions&goto=newpost Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:15:46 GMT Having already used the search function and not found what I'm looking for I'm curious if anyone here has experience replacing the bellows on Rittreck View camera? I recently picked one up for a steal, but the bellows do have one pinhole in them with more sure to follow.

I've sourced a bellows in Tokyo, but am curious if there's anyone who's done a replacement before with advice specific to this model? Given the quote I received to have one fabricated and installed I'd much prefer to do the work of installing the one I purchased on my own without shelling out ten times what I paid for the camera. I also, of course, don't want to get in way over my head so I'd like to avoid any issues possible.

Thanks in advance. ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) c.kline http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104413-Rittreck-View-Bellows-Installation-Opinions Help - shutter blade repair http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104393-Help-shutter-blade-repair&goto=newpost Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:45:24 GMT During an act of unspeakable stupidity on my part, I managed to accidentally break a couple of shutter blades of an old Multi Speed Shutter. Looks... During an act of unspeakable stupidity on my part, I managed to accidentally break a couple of shutter blades of an old Multi Speed Shutter. Looks like the original blades were made of thin (and rather brittle) plastic (vulcanite?). Anyone having some insight were to find a similar suitable material (it's about twice the thickness of regular writing paper)? Any hints/advice how to best attempt the repair? ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) big_ben_blue http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104393-Help-shutter-blade-repair Making 5x12 holders from 5x7 ones? http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104332-Making-5x12-holders-from-5x7-ones&goto=newpost Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:04:44 GMT I seem to remember reading a thread were someone describes making 5x12 holders from two 5x7 ones. I have searched in vain for it as I would like to... I seem to remember reading a thread were someone describes making 5x12 holders from two 5x7 ones. I have searched in vain for it as I would like to try to do this myself.

I have a 10x12 camera for which I have a 5x12 reducing back. The cost of new 5x12 holders is prohibitive to me so the only way I am going to get to have a play with this back is if I make some holders myself.

If you have done this I would be grateful if you could share your experience. Even if you have not I would appreciate any ideas you might have.

Thanks in advance.

Roger ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) Roger Hesketh http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104332-Making-5x12-holders-from-5x7-ones peeling leather from large format cameras http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104268-peeling-leather-from-large-format-cameras&goto=newpost Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:16:28 GMT hello again. I was checking the condition of my cameras, a Recomar and a Juwel 440. Both of them turned out to have zeiss bumps under their... hello again.

I was checking the condition of my cameras, a Recomar and a Juwel 440.
Both of them turned out to have zeiss bumps under their leather.
The problem is that I can not find any seam between the leather pieces.
I am now totally clueless. Should I use a loupe for spotting the seams, and lift it up with a razor blade or what? :p ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) manggokhs http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104268-peeling-leather-from-large-format-cameras A couple camera building questions http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104249-A-couple-camera-building-questions&goto=newpost Tue, 11 Jun 2013 18:47:20 GMT I'm well into this 8x10 project and am now assembling the back. I've read the couple of threads that come up but.......
I have 300 Series SS Feeler Thickness Gauge 12" Length, .031" Thick from Mcmaster Carr to use for springs. I plan to double them up. I only bought four so I don't want to screw this up (I'll order more when I screw these up). http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/2272/=n5doci
1. What's the best way to bend the ends to fit over the pins in the ground glass frame? In a vise? Do I need heat? Will heat discolor the steel?

2. How much wiggle room should I leave in the back above/below the holder? My chamonix 4x5 and my old 8x10 had what I thought was too much resulting in what I call a sloppy fit. All my 8x10 holders are very similar, size-wise.

3. what do you guys use for pins (stainless) in the ground glass frame to catch the springs? ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) vinny http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104249-A-couple-camera-building-questions Korona II 5X7 restoration question http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104242-Korona-II-5X7-restoration-question&goto=newpost Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:44:23 GMT Hello all, I am new to large format but have been taking 35 mm, and medium format photographs for years. A friend from my photography club... Hello all,

I am new to large format but have been taking 35 mm, and medium format photographs for years. A friend from my photography club suggested I look into this group and see if anyone could help. I acquired an old Korona II 5X7 camera years ago and am now getting time to restore it. On the outside it was in fairly rough shape. The leatherette needs replaced, no biggie. The inside is in decent shape and mostly complete and in good shape. Other than a few misc small screw holes on the lens board, missing ground glass and small viewfinder on the base its in good shape. The bellows look newer and I light checked it and there are only a few small corner pinholes Which I fixed with Elmer's and black paint. My questions are: One I found a matching stamped 26 on both the camera body and the film holder. I am figuring those were numbers for parts referencing to make sure both match up. Not the date. Second is I am looking for a viewfinder, it is held on by 4 screws, goes on the right side behind the thumb screw adjustment. I could make one but don't know the measurements, or if someone knows where to purchase one. Here are the screw holes: 40 mm X 7 mm. All I have to go by is a black and white catalog image. So if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Kevin

viewfinder copy.jpggundman1920lp194-04-05-small.jpgkorona II copy.jpgKorona II 3.jpg
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]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) kgvarrato http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104242-Korona-II-5X7-restoration-question Ansco Restomod http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104220-Ansco-Restomod&goto=newpost Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:11:27 GMT I picked up this old Ansco on the great auction site. Attachment 96779... I picked up this old Ansco on the great auction site.

Ansco 3.jpgAnsco 2.jpgAnsco rb2.jpg
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]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) redshift http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104220-Ansco-Restomod How to mount Bellows (Kodak 2D)? http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104138-How-to-mount-Bellows-(Kodak-2D)&goto=newpost Fri, 07 Jun 2013 19:34:28 GMT Hello all,

I'd like to ask how the bellows are mounted to the rear bellows frame on a Kodak 2D (8x10). I found some advice on how to install it to the front, but none about how it is installed to the rear.

I can not see glue residues on the particular part of the frame, but many little nails and some cardboard(?). I made a little sketch that shows how I think the bellows might attach to the frame. Is this the right position? Is it attached only by nails (no glue)?

image.jpgimage.jpg

Can anyone please tell me how this is done?


TIA

Matthias
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]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) klw http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104138-How-to-mount-Bellows-(Kodak-2D) Levy Process camera 11x14 DIY film holder mod http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104102-Levy-Process-camera-11x14-DIY-film-holder-mod&goto=newpost Thu, 06 Jun 2013 19:05:11 GMT I have been messing with X-Ray film and this big Levy Process camera. This is my second attempt at converting it to 11X14 film. I used heavy duty... I have been messing with X-Ray film and this big Levy Process camera. This is my second attempt at converting it to 11X14 film. I used heavy duty black mat board as a septem with a surface finish tougher than painted septems. Very stiff, with nil deflection. The center is unsupported.

Double stick 3M poster tape, way cheaper than 3M VHB tape that I initially wanted. Also it is removeable.

Art store 0.020" sheet acrylic, cut to make a spacer and overlapping edge like traditional holders.

Covered the shiny parts with gaff tape. T distance by complete happenstance is 0.750" which is exactly zero on the Levy GG adjusting lever. That made me happy.

I made the 11X14 acrylic GG with a DA in about 10 minutes, using 150 ceramic grit, I plan to use 220 grit to finish it.

I have a dimmable LED panel mounted on top mostly for focus. I use studio flash with the erratic Ilex 5. I can just get 1 to 1 with the 19" RD Artar.

Of course i must remove the GG after focus and then mount holder, which can be done as quickly as the usual method. I figure an acrylic GG is safer with all the removals.

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]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) Randy Moe http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104102-Levy-Process-camera-11x14-DIY-film-holder-mod <![CDATA[I build six "Old School" drying screens]]> http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104076-I-build-six-quot-Old-School-quot-drying-screens&goto=newpost Thu, 06 Jun 2013 05:23:55 GMT To go with all my other "old school" photography gear.
2" x1/2" Canadian Doug Fir for the framing. Joints glued with Elmer's Carpenter glue (the yellowish version of Elmers, supposed to be more resistant to moisture) then staples on both sides to hold together for drying since I only had two long clamps and am building a batch of six drying screens.
Then I gave it a good coat of Zinssner "Bulls Eye" Shellac. After everything dries I marked the corners where I wanted the mending plates, pulled out the staples on that side and glued the mending plates in place with Duco-cement to keep them where I wanted them until drilling the pilot holes and screwing the mending plates down.
Tomorrow I'll flip them over, introduce a bend by slightly raising the short ends and clamping down the centers of the long sides, then staple the screen material along a pencil line 3/8" from the inside edge of the framing, release the clamps and let the frame stretch the fabric tight, then staple the long sides, cut off the excess screen material and cover the edges and staple line with half round molding held in place with wire brads, then another coat of "Bulls Eye" Shellac. Then its back to contact printing.

Yeah, I could have used aluminum frames and splines, but this has been a heck of a lot of fun and I suspect they will look "right." ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) John Kasaian http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104076-I-build-six-quot-Old-School-quot-drying-screens Handheld 5X7 thoughts http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104010-Handheld-5X7-thoughts&goto=newpost Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:22:17 GMT I just read about the Travelwide 4X5 project (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderlust/travelwide-45-camera) on Kickstarter. I like the idea... I just read about the Travelwide 4X5 project on Kickstarter. I like the idea but am in no position financially to add new gear (especially the necessary W/A lens) to my collection, so I thought about just using what I already have, which is 5X7 gear.
I have a 115mm Caltar IIN and would like to build (just for fun) a camera around it that is similar to the Travelwide camera. If I could eventually get my hands on a 4X5 travelwide camera I could just modify it for 5X7, but I would kind of like to build my own camera. I will be able to design and build the camera pretty easily out of thin plywood, but the helical focus/lens mount is where I will get stuck.

Any thoughts or ideas on acquiring or making a helical zone focusing mechanism for a large format camera? Is there another focusing method? ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) Randy http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?104010-Handheld-5X7-thoughts Help with screen size, please (no, not that kind of screen!) http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103989-Help-with-screen-size-please-(no-not-that-kind-of-screen!)&goto=newpost Mon, 03 Jun 2013 21:05:20 GMT I need to make some print drying screens. The size I prefer would accommodate at least a 16x20 enlargement (the last batch I built were 20x24) but... I need to make some print drying screens. The size I prefer would accommodate at least a 16x20 enlargement (the last batch I built were 20x24) but these days I'm short on space, money, and I'm really only making 8x10 contacts so I don't need the space and expense of the larger screens. Compact is good:)
I was thinking 11x14 would provide adequate air circulation (the screens will be separated with blocks when stacked, or maybe I'll build some kind of rack---I haven't thought that far yet, but I do need more screens, and I need them, like, yesterday.
Any thoughts or suggestions? Would 11x14 be adequate for my purposes, do you think? ]]> LF DIY (Do It Yourself) John Kasaian http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?103989-Help-with-screen-size-please-(no-not-that-kind-of-screen!)