Printable View
Just wondering if anyone has built their own 4x10 cameras and would be interested in sharing their technique and approach? I have an old 8x10 in parts- the bellows is in very good shape and thought I might be able to use with an 4x1 0 rebuild in some way. Any comments, suggestions, direction would be welcome.
Wayne, Convertng an 8x10 to 4x10 is no problem, if you have some basic woodworking skil ls. Especially if your bellows are in good shape. A while back, I converted an old Kodak 8x10 flatbed camera to both 4"x10" and 6x 17cm formats by building a set of new ground glass backs. I am currently convert ing a pair of Calumet "405" 4x5 view cameras to 4"x10" and 7"x17" panoramics, w ith full movements. The trickiest part of the project is the film holders. You can buy new 4x10 holders from KB Canham, but I understand that they are really expensive. I have found that I can convert certain wooden graflex 8x10 holders to 4x10 by spliting them down the middle then trimming and glueing. Same thing goes for converting 5x7 holders (easier to find, less $$) to 6x17cm which uses c ut lengths of 120 roll film, or split 5x7 sheet film. I'd be happy to give you a hand in you project. I find both 4x10 and 6x17 quite exciting formats to work with.
Regards
Why not just shoot 8 x 10 and print (or crop) the portion you wish?
The reason for not using an 8x10 and cropping is that a 4x10 camera is so much smaller and more portable. Try to find a copy of Jay Dusard's book, "Open Countr y". He describes how he built a simple box camera which he calls a "brick."
The stumbling block is the holder. Dusard was given some x-ray holders. Holders are available for a price. But if you are like me the challenge of a project lik e this is doing it on the cheap.
I have considered cutting up and rebuilding 8x10 holders. This doesn't look eas y because the old holders are built so well. I will probably give in and buy a Lotus holder (about $100) and build a camera around it.
If you can come up with a helical lens mount you could build a box camera with e asy focusing. I will probably mount an old graflex bellows on the front of the box so that I can use different lenses.
I intend to use mainly a 90mm SA which will cover about 8-1/2 inches by 4 with s quare corners. If you don't mind the ends rounded you will get a little more. L ook at the page in the current Calumet fine art catalog shot by Jay Dusard, he l eft the ends round. Using a lens that you already have is cheaper than any 8x10 wide angle that you don't own.
I hope this gives you some ideas.
Wayne
how incented the camera?
the first person invented the camera?