Show me yours!

[Rafael Garcia]

Here are my two old girls...

5x7 Gundlach Korona View (1909-1930's) with modified lensboard (not shown on top photo), 7 1/2" (190mm) Wollensak Raptar f4.5 on Alphax Syncho-Matic shutter:
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/Dsc00227s.jpg
http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/5x7%20Korona%20Photos/th_Dsc00008s.jpg



4x5 (modified) Carl Zeiss Jena Universal Palmos (1903 from serial no.), 127mm coated Kodak Ektar f4.7 on Graphic Supermatic (X) shutter:
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/Dsc00102c.jpg
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/Dsc00105c.jpg

Now let's see more LF cameras!

[Marcus Carlsson]

This is my little 4x5" baby. I made it out of teak and it took a month to build. It's the forth I have build (I have built both 4x5" and 8x10") and this time, I did it without any drawing at all.

http://lellou.com/fotosidan/5.jpg

/ Marcus

[Rafael Garcia]

Excellent! You did a beautiful job!

[Mark Sawyer]

The venerable Kodak 2D and I. The shutter is an Prosch Triplex from 1886. Alas, we don't qualify for Steve Simmons' proposed upcoming article on images made with pre-1940 equipment, as the lens itself is a home assembly only about 3 months old. A couple of images made with it are attached. (Sorry for the crappy scans...)

[Paul Coppin]

My Anthony Normandie, ca 1899-1903, 8x10, big ol' Calumet Caltar 14 3/4" lens that does double duty on this and my Cambo. I finally have a vintage tessar for it, but have not yet made a board for it. The rest of my LF are your basic Cambo/Tachihara everyday stuff.

http://www.execulink.com/~coppin/normandie.jpg

[Ole Tjugen]

Here's a 18x24cm plate camera, the kind that was called "Englische Type" in Germany.
http://www.bruraholo.no/Cameras/Reisekamera/DSCN0419.JPG
For the occasion it's got a 270mm Meyer Aristoplan on it.

Next is a 13x18cm plate kamera, a typical "Reisekamera" of the first decades of the 20th century. I originally bought this for the iris lens mount which I was going to use on another camera, but decided that this one was too nice to butcher.
http://www.bruraholo.no/Cameras/Reisekamera/DSCN0422.JPG
There's a 18cm f:6.8 C.P.Goerz Doppel-Anastigmat Serie III on it in the picture.

Slightly more recent is the 1950's Gandolfi Traditional which replaced a Technika 5x7" as my "main camera". The transition from German metal to British wood was absolutely painless, and my back's getting better too!
http://www.bruraholo.no/Cameras/Gandolfi/DSCN0395.JPG
If you must know, the lens is a 165mm f:6.8 Angulon. :)

[Stewy]

Hello,

Hmm! I dont have the heart to post my modern camera under this really nice looking oldtimers.

So I post only a link: LINK (http://livegreif.at/pic/gf.JPG)

wfg Stewy

PS.: Please excuse that fuzzy looking digital picture ;)

[Kevin Klazek]

This is my 1938 Deardorff 5x7 OS that I restored this year. I stripped it down to 300 pieces of wood and metal and only had 3 parts left over when I put it back together!!!:)

[Frank Petronio]

Kevin's gets my vote - very pretty. Or at least "well photographed"!

What tripod is that?

[Rafael Garcia]

Kevin's gets my vote - very pretty. Or at least "well photographed"!

What tripod is that?

It is nice, but the lens cap is on!

[C. D. Keth]

It is nice, but the lens cap is on!

I hear you get the best consistancy with your photographs that way :p

[Kevin Klazek]

Frank, the tripod is a Berlebach. I left the lens cap on as she is a little modest...did not want to bear it all.

[Janko Belaj]

Well, not much to see, just me and one of my toys in the field. (Photographed by the friend of mine: "The Pljuc"...)

http://belaj.com/unsorted/ja_by_pljuc.jpg

(I'll try to remember to take pictures of those "tools" tomorow:))

[Hugo Zhang]

Here are the three cameras I use most often. I also have a 4x5 Arca-Swiss Discovery which has been sitting in my closet for the last 6 years. Since I am not using it, no need to show its picture.

[David Karp]

Here are my Cambo 45SF and Crown Graphic. I don't have a photo of my Walker Titan SF yet, and I can't make one because my wife's D70 is disabled again (second time in one year).

[Janko Belaj]

so here they are:

http://belaj.com/unsorted/igracke_a236432.jpg

shining one one the left is Tachihara 4x5 with attached 135mm Symmar (convertible to 235). With that one I also use G-Claron 210mm on Linhof type lensboard. Have made adapter for Sinar to use those two lenses. Tachihara is on old Gitzo Reporter with original ballhead.

Sinar F1 is in the middle. Have universal bellows too, but for this posing with 90mm Super-Angulon I gave him bag bellows. For Sinar in Studio I use some old wooden heavy stand with dirty cheap Sinar pan-tilt head... missing Sinar's logo was enough for other buyers to leave this piece for me :)

On the right is my last acquisition - unknown to me 8x10 camera, probably before 2nd WW. At least I have been told so by the previous owner. For now it has only one lens - 240mm G-claron on Sinar lensboard. I needed to cut some wood, about one mm only, and to add some sponge under the lensboard to fix it in position. Now I have found one 420mm Apo Ronar and I truly hope I will be the winning bidder. It's on Sinar lensboard too. :)
(sorry, I have forgot "it's" wooden tripod at home. some old "geometrical" tripod. and by "geometrical" I would like to say it have been used by people who measures routes for roads...)

Well, that's it for now... just to use those tools or/and toys a little bit more...

[Rafael Garcia]

Beautiful trio... and not very modest like Kevin's..! (LOL)

Keep them coming, friends!...

[Mark Sawyer]

so here they are:

On the right is my last acquisition - unknown to me 8x10 camera, probably before 2nd WW. At least I have been told so by the previous owner....

Janko ~ I could be wrong, but I think the 8x10 is a Rajah, a teak-and-brass Deardorff copy made in India.

[Eduardo Aigner]

http://www.eduardoaigner.com.br/outros/toyo_CF_nikkor180mm.jpg

Toyo 45CF and Nikkor W 180mm.

[Rory_5244]

Is it just me, or are these cameras making my Arca look lame? <grumble>

[Rafael Garcia]

Is it just me, or are these cameras making my Arca look lame? <grumble>
Let's see it!

[Ben Calwell]

Mark -- nice photographs.

[fotographis]

Well, I wanted something small to tramp around the city with, so I made this little camera around a Horseman GG back, gutted nikon 50mm lens (for the helicoid) and a very nice tiny 65mm super angulon. The camera is works great with both 4x5 Fuji Quickloads or my 120/220 Wista rollfilm holder. It is not nearly as pretty as some of the other cameras in this post, but there is something special about a camera that you make yourself. A camera that actually performs as well (I think...) as something that would cost big bucks (Sinar Handy or Cambo Wide).

[Armin Seeholzer]

Hi all
My lovely Burke & James from Chicago with a Universal Heliar in front of it!

[Janko Belaj]

hey britt, that is beuty! (I want such thing! :))

[Rafael Garcia]

Reviving the thread (want to see more beautiful examples). Here are my two girls again. The Palmos now sports a more appropriate Zeiss Ikon 13.5 Cm Dominar Anastigmat on a Compur. The four bolts on the Korona lensboard are part of my modified lensboard that adds swing and tilt to the camera front, without modifying the camera.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/Dsc00160sd.jpg

[Steve H]

Me and my buddy:

http://www.hometown.aol.com/veedubrocco/images/_mg_6129.jpg

Before you ask, I usually do not go trampling around the woods in spandex - I was on a mountain bike excursion (It seems like I always pick the worst times to go; it was snowing all day...). The rest of the pics are here:

http://www.hometown.aol.com/veedubrocco/jim_thorpe.html

[Kirk Gittings]

It isn't very pretty, but it has done the job admirably for many years.

[Rafael Garcia]

Maybe not pretty...very handsome and debonair, though (reminder to myself: look up meaning of 'debonair').

[Dan Fromm]

This, or perhaps these, has been around for a while. For those who haven't seen it, start here http://www.apug.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17595

One ugly camera, or perhaps two ugly ones. Depending.

[Janko Belaj]

This, or perhaps these, has been around for a while. For those who haven't seen it, start here http://www.apug.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17595

One ugly camera, or perhaps two ugly ones. Depending.

or faster link: just (ugly?) camera (http://www.photo.net/bboard/big-image?bboard_upload_id=24811484) :)

btw Dan, who cares if it is ugly if *it* works? ;-D

[Dan Fromm]

Janko, I think they're beautiful, but many of the cameras shown here are really much better looking. All that lovely wood and brass ...

Cheers,

Dan

[Janko Belaj]

I know that feeling Dan. I'm happy with my little beautiful Tachi, so I just had to ask a friend of mine who is working in jewelry repair shop what might cost to make my 8x10 shine again... and I have decided I'm gonna try to find some inexpensive (ugly and old:)) lens over 400mm to sit on my (old and ugly:)) 8x10...

[Randy H]

Gotta show 'em. First is a Conley BW 8x10 view, bought off eBay as "an old enlarger or something" for $23. Came with some obscure 14/18/24 inch convertible lens. Good clear, sharp lens though. The whole thing looked like hell when bought. Bellows were shot, wood was badly stained, and metal was all tarnished and UGLY. Second one is a $12 eBay buy, then "frankensteined". 4x5 nue-view. kinda-sorta.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1100&stc=1&d=1163290997

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1101&stc=1&d=1163293293

[Rafael Garcia]

How do you like the Nu-View? Seen several recently up on eBay, cheap (but not as cheap as yours) and have been tempted. Portable? Movements? Great 'enlarger'!

[Randy H]

If you look at the actual nu-view, and look at my frankenstein, mine has been greatly modified. They weigh a ton, are bulky and hard to use. They do have a unique rotating back. They have full front and rear movements. They are a cast aluminum base, aluminum standards,etc, with bracing to hold in place. There is about three inch of rear focus by a large cumbersome screw in the rear. Other than those minor inconveniences, they are great. Actually they are a good, cheap, sturdy, forgiving intro to large format. A person would have a difficult time damaging one. They are indeed built like tanks.

[Rafael Garcia]

Let's see more!

[Richard Abrahamsson]

My Cambo Master 4x5 (not very pretty) is not the most convenient camera to have in the field. Still I feel desire for a 8x10.

[Rafael Garcia]

My Cambo Master 4x5 (not very pretty) is not the most convenient camera to have in the field. Still I feel desire for a 8x10.

Darn it, Richard, you do pretty well with it regardless! Great shot.

Here's my "new" girl. She's a Asanuma & Co. (distributor) King No. 1, probably made by Tanakaichi, the predecessor of Nagaoka, probably in the late 30's. She's likely to be a wartime (WWII) camera.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/Asanuma%20King%201/Dsc00039s.jpg

I need to build a new 4x5 back for her, as she takes bookform holders now, and I don't have any. She is very close to 5x7 (a bit smaller), and very, very light!

[Donald Qualls]

DShe is very close to 5x7 (a bit smaller), and very, very light!

That sounds like a description of "half plate", which size is apparently still popular in Japan (Megapearls has Acros in stock in half plate size, last time I looked). Should be about 4 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Depending on the tolerances in the camera back, you *might* be able to build a 5x7 back to fit a half plate camera, though a reducing back for 4x5 would be a lot cheaper to feed... ;)

[Rafael Garcia]

The back for my 5x7 Korona is an exact fit except for the width of the perimeter baffle, so I know a 5x7 back would fit. My interest is to make it a 4x5, not only based on cost but also availability of film options, but its just as easy to build two backs (4x5 and 5x7) as to build one once you set your router bits at the right height! But you are right, it is a half-plate English style camera, taking a #2 panning tripod. I am also having to make a tripod adapter for it.

[neil poulsen]

Here's mine. I've really enjoyed this camera. It's an older version that I picked up at a swap meet in 1994 for $450, including the compendium bellows. Since then, I've purchased the long bellows (shown) and the leather bag bellows.

Kind of a neat feature, I adapted one of the old MC bayonet systems to an Arca recessed lensboard. I think the reason the MC system didn't make it, was because the lensboards were so hard to insert. Too thick. I have mine made out of 1/8th inch plastic and thin them a bit on a belt sander. They work great.

[Rafael Garcia]

Still have not built the backs, but cleaned the camera up and built the tripod adapter. I have a 150mm Fujinon lens on a Copal on it's way for it.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/Asanuma&#37;20King%201/Dsc00065s.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/Asanuma%20King%201/Dsc00063s.jpg

Asanuma King 1 (circa 1935), a predecessor of Nagaoka.

[Rafael Garcia]

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/Asanuma%20King%201/cs.jpg

Asanuma Shokai King 1 w/ Fujinon WS f6.3 on Seiko shutter

[wfwhitaker]

Agfa 8x10 with Graf 16"-18" Variable Anastigmat.
(For reference, the lensboard is 7 1/2" square.)

[wfwhitaker]

14x17 Empire State camera, 22 1/4" Verito, Agfa stand, god-awful blue floor.

[CR Roberts]

Both of my 4 x 5 cameras are hand built. One -- a Pocket View -- by Peter Gowland, and the other -- a modified Bender -- by me.

Here's the Bender. The front has been reworked very slightly. The brass strip along the top is held on by two screws into threaded inserts to facilitate lens board changing. It's more secure than the "slip and slide" latch.

I rebuilt the back completely to eliminate the fiddly "L" screw attachments and added a ground glass holder frame that more closely resembles a Graflok back shape. It's made of cherry, but the wood hasn't darkened with age yet.

I'm planning to replace the aluminum monorail with a wooden one with a channel cut into it to accomodate brass rack and pinion gear sets front and rear. I'll probably rebuild the back again with new wood, too. A lot of the brass you see is there to hide the many ugly holes I made while experimenting with different configurations.

[Pat Kearns]

14x17 Empire State camera, 22 1/4" Verito, Agfa stand, god-awful blue floor.
Will, I have a light that is the same as the one on the floor in in your picture. I need to get a bulb for it. Can you tell me the lamp number and supplier? Thanks.

[Ole Tjugen]

Another one - 24x30cm (9.5x12") plate camera (antique German Reisekamera) at the back. A really beautiful size, IMO! Some lenses in front of it, and one on it.

[Colin Graham]

Ole, that's really nice. Do you coat your own glass plates or are they still available somewhere?

Here's a shot of a 5x12 I made. The more I shoot this format the more I like it. If you're bored, you can look for all the commercial ideas I stole...;->

[Ole Tjugen]

Ole, that's really nice. Do you coat your own glass plates or are they still available somewhere?

Glass plates are still available every now and then, but not in that size. So I resort to "coating" the glass plates (from cheap clip frames, bought at IKEA) with sheet film, attached with a light smear of orange marmelade... An added advantage of this way of doing it is that I can use just about any size fil, including 5x12"! One of the small lenses in front is a 150mm very-very-wide-angle - it covers the full 24x30cm; just great for 5x12"? :)

[Colin Graham]

Glass plates are still available every now and then, but not in that size. So I resort to "coating" the glass plates (from cheap clip frames, bought at IKEA) with sheet film, attached with a light smear of orange marmelade... An added advantage of this way of doing it is that I can use just about any size fil, including 5x12"! One of the small lenses in front is a 150mm very-very-wide-angle - it covers the full 24x30cm; just great for 5x12"? :)

That's good to know, thanks. Sounds tasty, too!
I'm having a hard time getting my brain around 150mm on 5x12!...My 250 seems pretty wide. That must be some lens! And it looks tiny.

[Rafael Garcia]

Reviving the post (why?)...

Recent photos w/ new bellows

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/AsanumaK102.jpg
Asanuma King 1 w/ dual backs, Schneider Symmar 210/370mm convertible lens.



http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h285/ragc01/AK135071-1.jpg
4x5 Chattahoochee River near Atlanta, GA USA

[Brian C. Miller]

A small family portrait:
http://mysite.verizon.net/brian.c.miller/CameraPortrait.jpg
Cambo 8x10
Calumet 4x5 Orbit
Graphlex Super Graphic