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Ok, can you supply the needed specs?

I can't.

I just searched and browsed through the ISO and ANSI websites and cannot locate the relevant standard. I located the specs for the sizes of sheet film: DIN ISO 1012:2000, but not the film holders....

Yes, I think that is a good way to sum it up.

I also think that since the various holders are not EXACTLY the same, yet they all work just fine - then the camera design does not have to conform...

I agree with everything you said.

The holders do in fact vary, but I would not say that the variations are significant. I think I overstated things when I said there is "a fair amount of...

True, but if they are like the 4x5 holders that have also been "standard" for decades, there is still a fair bit of variation between manufacturers.

Unfortunately they do not list specs for 8x10 holders. The measurements may or may not be the same.

I haven't done an exhaustive search, but I have rooted around the web several different times...

Yes. Because they are not correct.

And they are also wrong! Or at least listed incorrectly.

Using the 8x10 data as an example:

Distance to Exposure Field: 0.775"
Exposure Height: 10.026"

Sum of the two: 10.801"

Distance...

Jerry, welcome! Presently there is active discussion about what style camera to design and procure parts for. So, at this moment - no no plans yet.

I'd be happy to just do the whole thing in metric if that's easier.

I very much prefer SI units, but doing woodwork in the USA essentially requires use of "traditional" units. It's an uphill...

To this end I have begun designing a reversible spring back suitable for this project.

I am most familiar with Sketchup, so that's what I'm using. Basically it is 12"x12" square and 5/8" thick...

I just mean that a consensus needs to be reached regarding what sort of camera to design and obtain parts for. Is it going to be an English-style folder? Tailboard? Other?

I could lock myself in...

When I say "I" there I should have said "I, for one..." I'm not trying to take over [emoji3]

That is a very valuable viewpoint! And I would certainly welcome your input. More specific details would be great.

Nicely done Carl!

If you would like to add any (or all) of the build pictures to the "Building My Own Camera" group on Flickr they would be welcome. (I see you put a few on already, more is......

Agreed, but we need to nail down exactly what we want to end up with first.

Cool stuff Tim!

Rudy replied saying that he could supply a large order of standardized bellows at a discounted price. He also said that he could find manufacturers for other (machined) parts as...

I shot an email off to Rudy making a general enquiry about him making bellows for this project. I also asked if he had contacts for other parts suppliers.

Back on topic...

Personally I would be perfectly happy to use a standardized ready-made bellows. In fact I ordered mine from Rudy, with fine results.

I tried to get info from Custom Bellows...

Joe,

It would have to a cutting machine other than the cricut brand, as you may already know. My wife has a cricut and I was all excited to use it to cut bellows ribs, until I learned about the...

I can't imagine it would be cost-effective for a machine shop/supplier to make parts available on an ongoing basis, but a group-buy would be plausible. Perhaps somebody would consider stockpiling a...

I looked at emachineshop's website and it does seem very attractive! What sort of parts have they made for you and how was the pricing?

A poll to see what others actually want to build is an excellent idea btw

I agree.

The B&J is not the "prettiest" of LF camera designs, but it seems that if you are looking at "bang for your buck" it is pretty hard to beat.

I envision something along the lines of...

FWIW, I have been making tentative plans to start an 8x10 folder and was going to more or less copy the rear focus B&J design - for lightness, simplicity, and ability to focus short lenses without...

As I said in my earlier post, I think that the spring back is the place to start with an overall camera design, but maybe making rack and pinion components available at a reasonable cost would...

Exactly

Tim,
Thanks for your post. I have had the same thought about coming up with a "standard" design for DIY LF camera/s. I'd be glad to participate! I love the idea of coming up with a parts kit that...

Here is the basic idea:

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Just like Quickload/Readyload it would require a dedicated film holder, but would be FAR easier to carry than regular 8x10 holders.

I'm always plotting and scheming some ridiculous idea. At present I'm contemplating the feasibility of making my own "Ready Load" type film sleeves for say 8x10 xray film...

Just wondering if the...

That would certainly help me!

My 4x5 folder and accompanying wooden tripod projects are now complete. I suppose making a lens would be the next logical step...

What sort of performance could one expect from this lens design?...

That looks great! If you have more photos please post! Is that your own design?

I'm quoting previous posts here:





While simple enough to understand, I would like to see just how it was done. After making mine and field testing, I realized that while it works "ok" it...

Thanks!

And you make a fair point. I had started the Flickr group a long while ago (before I started posting here) and just thought I'd mention it. It seems that the threads here are more about...

BTW, I started a Flickr group intended to showcase pics of the actual camera building process as well as the finished product. Feel free to add images if you have them. I hope it will become a useful...

That's another option I've contemplated. For the shafts did you also use reclaimed copier parts or make new ones?

I don't want to sound like I'm unhappy with my current setup, it actually works very well. The front standard can be mounted in three locations, like a Chamonix, so I can set the camera up with the...

The more I think about it, the more sense this design makes!

Where is the tripod mount, btw?

I know, they have them and they are very expensive! The racks are even more!