Show us your home made camera...

[dswiger]

P&S 4x5, ready for light leak test.
The basics are.

1. 4x5 Pinhole camera from Ebay. I bought just the body parts & the ground glass - $130 shipped ($99.95 + $30 shipping)
I asked for just the body & ground glass, no view finder (was for 65mm), no pinhole/shutter or lensboard. Hence the lower price
I had to pay full & the seller refunded the difference
http://www.ebay.com/itm/18-Point-amp.../192125956583?

2. A helicoid w/7mm travel (says 9) on a Linhoff lens board. Also from Ebay, $131.99
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Helicoid-Foc...item41726467c9

3. Fabricated spacer to accomodate 90mm lens
I had to add about 3/8" (10mm) worth of spacer.
This was fab'd out of ABS sheet with the 3 1/4" hole cut by the supplier

The body as delivered was "sized" for a 60-65mm lens.
They could make a different body piece for a 90mm & I am lobbying them to consider it.

It was a drill/dremel & router project with some ABS cement.
The spacer is removable.

It weights 2Lb, 5 oz with lens & film holder.

Have done focus test & works down to about 6.5ft. If I redo spacer, will add 1-2mm
I have done basic light leak tests & hopefull with film in the next few weeks.
I think the inside "matte" finish enough but will try some reflections tests

[Dan Fromm]

Cute.

Y'know, the Graflex XL had a set of stackable extension backs of several lengths. They were intended to be used for closeup work, with focusing on the GG, but stackable spacers for the front somewhat like the one you made would solve the problem of using longer lenses without requiring a different longer camera body. You might want to discuss this with the seller. Offering them might help sales.

[stevelmx5]

I've just come across this thread so will share my ongoing progress on a new laser cut acrylic 4x5 field camera I'm producing. I'm intending to put this through a Kickstarter campaign in the next month or so, once I've nailed down the costs for the components.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/stevelloyd/DY4528

This was the first full assembly;

First assembly by Steve Lloyd, on Flickr

I've since redesigned the hinge-mechanism to move away from a 3D printed piece to using acrylic so it can all be cut together. The camera folds around on itself for transportation and will weigh <1Kg.

Trying out a design for a new modular technical front standard. Has full range of movements (tilt, shift, swing and rise/fall) with independent controls to separate movements. by Steve Lloyd, on Flickr

New Supports-Closed by Steve Lloyd, on Flickr

I've designed 3 separate, interchangeable, front standards which offer different levels of control.

"Traditional" - Classic design which uses a base threaded knob to control shift/swing and a pair of knobs either side of the lens board frame to control rise/fall and tilt.

"Technical" - Similar design but has individual knobs to control Rise/Fall, Tilt and Shift/Swing independently

"Remote" - Digital standard which has three embedded stepper motors and handheld remote to control movements without touching the camera itself.

All Standards by Steve Lloyd, on Flickr

[Dan Fromm]

Interesting. Its time to display my ignorance.

Why acrylic? Why not polycarbonate? I ask because acrylic is more fragile.

[barnacle]

I like that. It has an interestingly chunky look - but I'd like to see it with a hand in shot (or similar) for a better sense of scale.

Neil

[dswiger]

I have finally tested my P&S 4x5 plastic camera above at Yosemite. No light leaks and focus was good.
Now I need to fabricate a different center piece to make it a two lens solution.
Right now, my total cost for everything is ~$300

[stevelmx5]

Sorry, I wasn't getting notifications from this thread. I chose acrylic because it is widely available in many colours and can be cut by the laser cutters used by a local firm. As all of the parts are laminated and 3/5mm thick, they are much stronger than a thin sheet of acrylic/perspex on its' own.

[stevelmx5]

I like that. It has an interestingly chunky look - but I'd like to see it with a hand in shot (or similar) for a better sense of scale.

Neil

Thanks. I'll take some more photos once I've built an updated version I'm finishing up now. To give an idea of size, the rear standard is 208mmx208mm and the whole camera, once folded down, will be around 80mm thick.

[Pere Casals]

Sorry, I wasn't getting notifications from this thread. I chose acrylic because it is widely available in many colours and can be cut by the laser cutters used by a local firm. As all of the parts are laminated and 3/5mm thick, they are much stronger than a thin sheet of acrylic/perspex on its' own.

Hello Steve,

I'm excited with your project: Great !!!!

I'm very happy to see projects like this one !!!

Best Regards,
Pere

[Pere Casals]

Interesting. Its time to display my ignorance.

Why acrylic? Why not polycarbonate? I ask because acrylic is more fragile.

Also...


Polycarbonate is high impact-resistant, so ideal to hit it with a rock, this would make the camera only destroyable by fire, but substantially less rigid for the same design.