My Finished Bulldog 5x4 Camera Kit

[DaveTheWalker]

Hello all,

I thought I'd show the fruits of my labours over the last few months. I've only had occasional evenings and weekends, so it's taken a while... and the decision to use a high-gloss red paint, and round off all the edges significantly lengthened the timescales!

Still, after all the gluing, sanding, drilling, priming, sanding, priming, sanding, painting, sanding, painting, screwing and gluing and here we are!

I can't wait to get started with my first steps into Large Format.

Comments welcome, bearing in mind that it's my first ever camera build(!)

Cheers,
Dave

[ic-racer]

Wow, looks fantastic!

[Scott Walker]

Very cool, I like the rounded edges & bright color. Have you put any film through it yet?

[DaveTheWalker]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!

I haven't put any film through it yet (only finished gluing the bellows yesterday), but hopefully next weekend, if the weather stays nice.

I'll be sure to keep the forum posted with any photos once I get them developed.

Thanks again,
Dave

[domaz]

It looks nice- but I think you need a new lens. The Tominon won't cover 4x5 at infinity!

[DaveTheWalker]

Hi Domaz,

There seemed to be some conflicting information about this lens when I was looking around about whether it would cover 4x5 or not.

Actually, it does seem to cover 4x5... But maybe not with movements. I'll report back with any progress once I've seen what it can (and can't) do.

Thanks for your comments,
Dave

[BetterSense]

I have a tominon lens that looks like that, and it does cover 4x5 at infinity. At least mine does.

[DaveTheWalker]

Thanks BetterSense, that's reassuring!

[Cor]

Nice job, and a non-standard colour, it will attract spectators if you shoot outside!

What is the maximum bellows draw, it looks a bit limited?

Best,

Cor

[DaveTheWalker]

Thanks Cor,

I will certainly be shooting outside - that was partly why I picked 2 coats of glossy paint... just in case I get caught in a shower! MDF without paint wouldn't behave very well(!)

I shall expect spectators.... good call.

The maximum bellows draw as it stands is 155mm, so my 127mm should be fine. Also, the beauty of a home-build is that I could extend that in future if I needed to, with a new base-piece. I'll keep the tins of paint ;o)

Dave