So, some of you know that I build cameras and I love walnut. I was given a set of bellows from a friend a little over a year ago so I decided to try something new. I love my 14x17 that I built in 2011 but it is designed as more of a studio camera. I built my 8x10 like the Phillips/Chamonix and really like it.
I decided to build my next camera as a field camera and use the same design as the 8x10 but with a twist.
I've always thought that I could use the 80/20 extruded aluminum and make a rigid lightweight camera. So I used that as my frame and that would have been fine if I just went with that. Now I was fortunate to move to a house and I have a nice shop now with some killer tools that I've never had before so I bought some rough stock of walnut and cut some thin strips with my Saw Stop and Band Saw and decided to laminate it to the frame. Yes it would have been lighter to just use the aluminum but come on now I am Mr. Walnut!!!
The bellows was big enough to give me a 2024 horizontal and a 16x20 both horizontal and vertical but I only have 14x17 holders. So I built the reducing back for it and I'm on the last leg of the build. When I'm done I'll post the build in a separate post and on my website for anyone interested. I started on the 21st of July and I'll be done by the 12th. Not bad for a 27 lb. 20x24!
I photographed it next to my last build which is my 8x10. One can see how big it is!!
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Originally Posted by Tri Tran
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