Homebuilt LF cameras

[Linas Kudzma]

Robert,

We are out there. I just built a 8x20 camera that takes Korona holders. It has tested out fine and promises to be my spring/summer workhorse. I'm not a master woodworker, but I did OK. If you don't want something really fancy, building a view camera is quite easy. I had ideas to improve my design the minute it was finished. I guess I?ll have to build another one.

[Kevin Kemner]

I'm fiddling with things all the time. I've built several parts for my 8x10 but the real challenge is a 16x20 my friend and I are building this year. We started that project when someone gave him a 42" artar. I would guess that about half the large format users are tinkerers in some form or another and that a fair share of the established camera makers such as Wisner, Phillips, Canham et al, started as builders of one offs to suit their own needs. It would be interesting to here from some of them about why they started making cameras.

[Jim Galli]

Bypassing the obvious? Building a camera is the easy part! Building something to hold the film has got me daunted to the point that I wouldn't bother with the easy part. I was in a junk shop the other day and found a big box of 7X11, (half plate 11X14) and 6 1/2 X 8 1/2 (full plate) film holders and would've bought them to build a camera around if the price had been fair (means really cheap). I'd build a 5X12 tomorrow if I could find holders! Building the holders is beyond my fairly meager abilities. And prices for others to spend those hours building them are equally daunting. Anybody seen a big box of 5X12 holders for sale? at a "fair" price?

[Dennis Gazso]

I'm currently building a 4x5 view camera out of aluminum and zebra wood.It's about 75% complete. I was going to make the bellows, but I think I'll buy it from Camera Bellows. It's looking good so far. I can't wait to try it out.

[julian_858]

There's lots of us out here building LF cameras. Have a look at this links list for just a few. http://www.keinaths-fotohomepage.gmxhome.de/LF/lf-links.htm Even I'm on this list. And if you are really keen, there is a cameramakers forum at http://rmp.opusis.com/mailman/listinfo/cameramakers

[Jon Grepstad]

You will find a number of homebuilt LF cameras here: http://home.online.no/~gjon/jgcam.htm

I have a View Camera Construction FAQ here: http://home.online.no/~gjon/lffaq.htm

Jon Grepstad

[jongrep]

You will find a number of homebuilt LF cameras here: http://home.online.no/~gjon/jgcam.htm

I have a View Camera Construction FAQ here: http://home.online.no/~gjon/lffaq.htm

Jon Grepstad

New URL: http://jongrepstad.com/

Jon Grepstad

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Bob, I've built 5 cameras. My 8 x 10, 11 x 14, 8 x 20 and two 14 x 17's! Jim makes a good point. The hardest part is the film holders. I have a decent shop and maybe at some point in my retirement when I get bored I may try building a holder who knows. Using the cameras is the fun part.

[Brian Bullen]

I have a decent shop and maybe at some point in my retirement when I get bored I may try building a holder who knows. Using the cameras is the fun part.

Jim, if you need a someone to test 14x17 holders, I'd be happy to help out!

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Jim, if you need a someone to test 14x17 holders, I'd be happy to help out!