I had thought of using a round bellows style toilet plunger (smaller, shorter) to do something similar with a lens and plastic or cardboard stops. Those come in black already.
I had thought of using a round bellows style toilet plunger (smaller, shorter) to do something similar with a lens and plastic or cardboard stops. Those come in black already.
Fantastic thread, let's keep it going!
I built this a while back while waiting for a Travelwide using the amazingly durable and lightweight Harmon Ilford (it is actually designed and manufactured by master cameraman, Mike Walker, http://www.walkercameras.com)
More of my custom and DIY cameras on my Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dirkfletcher/albums
hi i try to make my own camera but i have no idea that how and from where i start, its so congusing and difficult
A free download of instructions for making large format cameras is available at https://jongrepstad.com/building-a-large-format-camera/
Wow, his camera is GORGEOUS! What a great resource!
Dirk
Since I missed the boat on the Travelwide I decided to "attempt" to make my own. I tend to use what I have on hand (out of necessity).
Camera body - wooden cigar box
Camera back - non Graflex Grafloc back
Lens - 90mm Schneider Super Angulon in Prontor Press shutter
Helicoid focuser - ebay'd from China
Focuser flange(s) - ebay'd from RAFCAMERA, Russia
Unfortunately, the size / weight difference between mine and the Travelwide is enormous. Travelwide (10oz) is plastic on plastic, mine (3.3lbs) is metal on wood. The Travelwide measures 6.3" X 5", mine is 7.75" X 7.25". I definitely could have made mine smaller and lighter if I had of not used the Grafloc back and instead, fabricated a simple slip in back, or used the Graflex back I have (I didn't want to be tied down to the old slotted film holders). The Travelwide was $149 without lens - I will have about $165 in mine, lens included.
Anyway, I am going to cover the camera in a yet undetermined material, then fashion a wrist strap and some sort of viewfinder / sports finder. If I decide it is just to heavy to carry around I may go back to the drawing-board.
I mounted a small loupe for critical ground-glass focusing.
Top of camera
The helicoid focuser has 15mm of travel, making it possible to focus from infinity to less than a meter. I plan on marking a distance scale on the focuser once I run some tests with it.
Camera bottom - tripod socket
Nice work!
Tin Can
I believe I have the same model lens and it covers 5x7 with v. little or no met even mounted on a Sinar DB board. Amazing the detail it can get. I imagine you will have fun with yours.
I didn't even think about it covering 5x7. I have a 5x7 back. Perhaps I'll play with it.
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