PDA

View Full Version : point & shoot 4x5s



scott russell
20-Jun-2008, 14:07
Anyone out there make their own hand help point and shoot 4x5s? Im trying to think of a simple solution for just modifying some view camera parts to use a dedicated polaroid 405 holder and a lens that is in a fixed position. It would be ideal if i could somehow incorporate a rudimentary bellows that can be moved to a few positions for infinity/moderate/close. There wouldn't be any viewfinder or ground glass viewing, so its more of an attempt to do holga style photography on a bigger format. they make polaroid holders for holgas, but they cost so much that it would probably be easier to make a 3 1/4 x4 1/4 polaroid camera. plus, you get a 3x4 image instead of a 6x6cm image.

Gene McCluney
20-Jun-2008, 15:07
People have been doing this for over 1/2 a century. The camera is called a press camera, and most (if not all) 4x5 press cameras have plenty of options for using as a point-and-shoot camera. They normally are equipped with a wire frame viewfinder, as well as an optical viewfinder (that can be parallex corrected), they often come equipped with a rangefinder, and some have focus marks on the bed so you can guess-focus with the "normal" lens. All will take some form of instant-film back, many will also take roll-film backs as well as the normal 4x5 double film holders and grafmatics. They are relatively cheap to acquire, and the ones with the focal plane shutter you can put just about any old coke-bottle bottom type of lens on the front that you want to. And......most important of all......they are DESIGNED to be hand held, and even come with a strap to secure your hand to the camera.

Bob Salomon
20-Jun-2008, 15:33
Linhof Master Technika and the Wista RF are two current rangefinder coupled 4x5 cameras.

Glenn Thoreson
20-Jun-2008, 15:43
Speed and Crown Graphics are the most famous cameras specifically designed to be used hand held. Famous for good reason, too. If you prefer to build rather than buy, a simple box with a 90mm lens works well. I have one I built. I set the focus on 19 feet, which is the hyperfocal distance that will reach infiity at f/11. Near distance will get closer with smaller apertures and it will go beyond infinity. Lots of depth of field to cover most everything.

xmishx
20-Jun-2008, 23:29
Check out the Littman (http://www.littman45single.com/).

robert fallis
21-Jun-2008, 03:37
Scott,
have a look at these two pages,

http://job.webstar.nl/homemadepg.html
http://option8.110mb.com/polaroid/

there's a lot more on the web,
I'm converting a polaroid 100 for my daughter who sarts a uni in september

bob

Joseph O'Neil
21-Jun-2008, 06:03
There was not long ago a 4x5 kit called the "bulldog" - correct me if I am wrong. Looked to me like a good candidate. B&H sells them - here's the link:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/474058-REG/Bulldog__4x5_Self_Assembly_Camera_Kit.html).

Never used one myself, but with an additional handle, it might be exactly what you are looking for.

joe

Drew Bedo
21-Jun-2008, 15:15
You might look at these too:

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/

Or PM Dean Jones, he is a member here too.

robert fallis
27-Jun-2008, 07:18
this is the start of converting the polaroid, the lens is a meyer-gorlitz f4.5 13cm had to make some adjustment to the frount to bring lens in focus. needed to be reduced by 2mm
The 100 body was coroded ,so used a 400 body as it's plastic and easier to work, next job the back.

bob

Emmanuel BIGLER
27-Jun-2008, 07:53
Anyone out there make their own hand-held point and shoot 4x5s?

Not me but here are two web sites with small series of wooden 4x5" point'n shoot cameras for sale
http://www.obscura-camera.com/spip/?lang=en (Swiss-made)
http://s192257538.onlinehome.fr//stenocamera/Systeme%20Open/Stenocamera%20Systeme%20Open%20Mod45/index.html (French-made)

Usual disclaimer : I am not affiliated, etc, etc.. whatsoever,etc..
.

Benno Jones
27-Jun-2008, 10:51
The old R.O.C. Cyclone Sr. 4x5 box camera I just got is certainly point and shoot... especially since the mirrors in the viewfinders are shot so the only thing to do is aim it towards something and hit the shutter button...

robert fallis
27-Jun-2008, 14:55
Benno,
that sounds nice and primative, one way for a view finder , put two nails in the frount and one nail at the back this should help you visulise wear you are pointing the thing, could you post picture of camera it's one I,m not familier with

bob

John Kasaian
27-Jun-2008, 15:53
peter Gowland makes a handheld aerial model with helical focusing. Give him a call---give him a call even if you're not keen on it---he's a great guy to speak with! :)

jnantz
27-Jun-2008, 17:06
i've started to play around with a land 600 portrait camera ..
( 1/125 f 16 fixed ) with 6 shutters.
maybe it is not point and shoot
but point and shoots ?

Paul Droluk
28-Jun-2008, 02:17
Does this qualify?

Darryl Baird
28-Jun-2008, 10:19
Does this qualify?

I forget Paul, does this unit offer a shift adapter accessory?

Gordon Moat
30-Jun-2008, 10:50
Currently undergoing testing:

http://www.gordonmoat.com/polaroid/SANY0384.jpg

Details: this is actually slightly thinner than the original Polaroid 900 without a film back in place; front standard moves four different ways; this is just the prototype.

I hope to tell a bit more soon, though testing has revealed a need to change a few aspects. I am also considering scrapping the Polaroid 900, except the rangefinder, and making my own complete body, which would get around a few issues.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography (http://www.gordonmoat.com)

cjbroadbent
30-Jun-2008, 12:00
Downsize this. It took me a week to find the parts but only a day to make. http://web.mac.com/cjbroadbent/Site/fivebyseven.html
You could add a helicoidal lens mount from Fotoman and a wire viewfinder. Forget the black leatherette.

Glenn Thoreson
30-Jun-2008, 17:29
Christopher, that's an excellent job and a really cool camera. The theory is the same as my 4X5 box point and shoot but I think yours looks way cooler.
I started out with a 121mm Weitwinkel Anastigmat on mine. Then, along came a 90mm Wollensak Extreme Wide Angle f/12.5. I shortened the body to use that lens. It's interesting to see things that folks make themselves. Looking forward to more.

robert fallis
1-Jul-2008, 00:33
thats nice Gordon, I look forward forward to further developments, I agree, I sometimes the the polaroid body makes more problems than it solves, my next point and shoot is having a wooden body

Gordon Moat
1-Jul-2008, 15:06
Thanks robert. I am working up a full body, focus rail, and folding mechanism currently, though these things take time to get to working prototype stage. One material I have considered is wood, another carbon fibre, and of course 6061 T-6 aluminum. I would like to cut another pound off the camera weight, which is currently 4.5 lbs without a film back in place.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography (http://www.gordonmoat.com)

Gordon Flodders
1-Jul-2008, 23:26
I kinda like the look of these. I found them on Razzledog's web site.

Greg Lockrey
2-Jul-2008, 07:05
Anyone out there make their own hand-held point and shoot 4x5s?

Not me but here are two web sites with small series of wooden 4x5" point'n shoot cameras for sale
http://www.obscura-camera.com/spip/?lang=en (Swiss-made)
http://s192257538.onlinehome.fr//stenocamera/Systeme%20Open/Stenocamera%20Systeme%20Open%20Mod45/index.html (French-made)

Usual disclaimer : I am not affiliated, etc, etc.. whatsoever,etc..
.


These French made Stenocameras are gorgeous, Emmanual. How do we link to the price page from the link you provided? I don't see it here. I would love to get the body and a couple of lens cones.

robert fallis
4-Jul-2008, 07:30
finished my point and shoot for my daughter, attached picture of it

bob

thafred
17-Jul-2008, 01:15
I build a fixfocus P&S LF camera a few weeks ago :-)
I planned to shoot the Munich CSD with that thing but it was raining too much so I used my 35mm gear. not a single good frame shot at the moment with this camera but itīs just a matter of time:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11560293@N03/2650224441/

Linhof "Graflok" back, Schneider Angulon 90mm f6.8, focus fixed at 2m