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Thread: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

  1. #1
    digging for fire
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    5x7 diy beginner questions..

    hello lf community.

    this is my first post on this forum. i haven't had the time to properly introduce myself yet, therefore just a few words to explain what i am doing. coming from medium format (rz67) i am about to take my first steps in large format.
    i have got access to a metal workshop for another month or so, and the skills to work it, mostly aluminium in this case.
    for the moment i bought the necessary parts to start building my first lf-camera. i would like to construct a camera that will be convertible into 8x10 later on, but for now i am thinking about 5x7. havent decided if it will be monorail, most likely, as i havent received the bellows yet. its a 23x23cm (inside) straight bellows of about 70cm..

    i bought two fidelity deluxe holders. my main concern is the back part, and my question shows that i have no experience in the field yet.

    where does the groundglass go, when the film holder is inserted?
    i imagine that the gg is held in place (pressed tight against the back) by bent strips of metal, and that the film holder would be pushed in between?
    does somebody here have construction plans? hints? what choices are there to be made?

    any help is appreciated.

    with very kind regards and open ears,
    chris

  2. #2
    Dave Karp
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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..


  3. #3
    digging for fire
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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

    thanks a lot. i tried to use the search function, but it didnt really work out. interesting link.

  4. #4
    Tim Sandstrom
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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

    The search on this site has never been great, however, try this:

    google: "some text" site:http://www.largeformatphotography.info
    google: 5x7 diy site:http://www.largeformatphotography.info
    etc

  5. #5
    Jim Jones's Avatar
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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

    Here are one person's ideas on building a LF camera: https://jongrepstad.com/building-a-large-format-camera/. The most critical dimension is the distance between the ground glass and the back of the camera that it mates against. This must equal the corresponding distance in the film holder.

  6. #6
    digging for fire
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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Jones View Post
    Here are one person's ideas on building a LF camera: https://jongrepstad.com/building-a-large-format-camera/. The most critical dimension is the distance between the ground glass and the back of the camera that it mates against. This must equal the corresponding distance in the film holder.
    thank you. i just found this page yesterday. great, as there are photographs of metal cameras too.
    about the back construction, especially the groundglass holder.. guess i will have to measure this as precisely as i can and do some test exposures using a ruler to fine tune.

  7. #7
    Sean Mac's Avatar
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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

    Hi,

    http://www.largeformatphotography.in...empt-Questions

    Pali K did a great job with this one I think.

    A little bigger than 5x7 but that makes the pictures easier to understand.

    Good luck...

  8. #8

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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

    Quote Originally Posted by chris77 View Post
    hello lf community.

    .........i would like to construct a camera that will be convertible into 8x10 later on, but for now i am thinking about 5x7. havent decided if it will be monorail, most likely, as i havent received the bellows yet. its a 23x23cm (inside) straight bellows of about 70cm..


    chris
    Monorail - not a good idea! Making stable/adjustable mounts will take a lot more work than the camera!

    The standard modern solution of using different formats is to have identical sized loose backs, each with its own GG/and mount for film holders. The mahogany camera era used insert adapter pieces.

    The square bellows suggests you are planning a tailboard camera?

  9. #9
    digging for fire
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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

    Quote Originally Posted by Sean Mac View Post
    Hi,

    http://www.largeformatphotography.in...empt-Questions

    Pali K did a great job with this one I think.

    A little bigger than 5x7 but that makes the pictures easier to understand.

    Good luck...
    thank you. i am very happy to get so much response, good advice and helpful comments.
    the link you posted is massive and really useful.
    its gotta take me some time to read through carefully.
    kind regards, chris

  10. #10

    Join Date
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    Re: 5x7 diy beginner questions..

    I'd start by buying a standard 5x7 camera and us it for 6 months before building your own. There are lots of Eastman Kodak 2D camera available as a good place to start.
    Wilhelm (Sarasota)

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