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Nana Sousa Dias
10-Feb-2009, 09:52
I would like to see some home made cameras. I have plans to make a LF camera and would like to see your designs. I would like to build 4x5, 5x7 and 8x10 P&S cameras.

Eric Woodbury
10-Feb-2009, 10:26
I'm working on it as fast as I can. I have the plans in my head and started drawing them last week as I sat in the pub. I bought the wood. I need to talk with the bellows people, but I haven't selected anybody for that yet. I have some gears and springs from a friends camera. It will be a 4x5 with limited movements (just the ones I use) and not made to fold up as this limits the ease of use. More as I go.

Emmanuel BIGLER
10-Feb-2009, 11:05
There are several examples on the French LF web site galerie-photo.com

Laurent Barthélémy, a wooden 4x5 camera http://www.galerie-photo.com/construire-sa-chambre.html

Vincent Cabanes, a 6x6 (cm) precision monorail camera http://www.galerie-photo.com/construire-chambre-6x6.html

Bernard Ardaud, a wooden 6x17 for ski-mountaineering http://www.galerie-photo.com/chambre-pour-la-montagne.html
and a lightweight 4x10"
http://www.galerie-photo.com/construire-chambre-4x10.html


Gilles Barbier, a wooden fixed-focus wide-angle camera
http://www.galerie-photo.com/barbier-hybis-90.html

obscura camera a swiss-made wooden 4x5
http://www.galerie-photo.com/obscura-camera-didier-chatellard.html
http://www.galerie-photo.com/obscura-camera-piccolino.html

Renald Ozeel, a precision wide-angle 4x5 camera
http://www.galerie-photo.com/chambre-legere-4x5.html
a 4x5 pinhole camera
http://www.galerie-photo.com/stenope-renald-ozeel.html

François Besson a 360° panoramic Roto-Pinhole camera
http://www.galerie-photo.com/eloge-roto-stenope.html

Nana Sousa Dias
10-Feb-2009, 11:05
I'm working on it as fast as I can. I have the plans in my head and started drawing them last week as I sat in the pub. I bought the wood. I need to talk with the bellows people, but I haven't selected anybody for that yet. I have some gears and springs from a friends camera. It will be a 4x5 with limited movements (just the ones I use) and not made to fold up as this limits the ease of use. More as I go.


Thank you, Eric! As soon as you have some images, show us, please!

Nana Sousa Dias
10-Feb-2009, 11:30
There are several examples on the French LF web site galerie-photo.com

Laurent Barthélémy, a wooden 4x5 camera http://www.galerie-photo.com/construire-sa-chambre.html

Vincent Cabanes, a 6x6 (cm) precision monorail camera http://www.galerie-photo.com/construire-chambre-6x6.html

Bernard Ardaud, a wooden 6x17 for ski-mountaineering http://www.galerie-photo.com/chambre-pour-la-montagne.html
and a lightweight 4x10"
http://www.galerie-photo.com/construire-chambre-4x10.html


Gilles Barbier, a wooden fixed-focus wide-angle camera
http://www.galerie-photo.com/barbier-hybis-90.html

obscura camera a swiss-made wooden 4x5
http://www.galerie-photo.com/obscura-camera-didier-chatellard.html
http://www.galerie-photo.com/obscura-camera-piccolino.html

Renald Ozeel, a precision wide-angle 4x5 camera
http://www.galerie-photo.com/chambre-legere-4x5.html
a 4x5 pinhole camera
http://www.galerie-photo.com/stenope-renald-ozeel.html

François Besson a 360° panoramic Roto-Pinhole camera
http://www.galerie-photo.com/eloge-roto-stenope.html


Thank you, Emmanuel, there are a lot of good ideas, here!

Ben Syverson
10-Feb-2009, 19:18
Here's a P+S 4x5 I made... I aborted this particular design and designed its successor in 3D CAD. Someday I'll get the CAD model 3D printed so I can test it out!


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/353062211_12bb90eb23.jpg
(http://flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/sets/72157594471970946/)

vinny
10-Feb-2009, 20:28
I made this one about 4 years ago and haven't really used it since initial tryouts. I need to get/make some better pinholes and some kinda viewfinder. The material is 1/2" gatorboard, clothespins, bamboo print tongs, photo black paper tape. Gatorfoam is extremely light, rigid and machinable with a knife. Maybe I'll mess with it this week and post back with my results.

Emmanuel BIGLER
11-Feb-2009, 02:23
Some new prototypes from the Swiss Obscura Camera team as shown last week-end at the annual friendly gathering & print exchange organised by Henri Gaud

A 4x5" with a reflex viewer, plus a stereo camera for the 4x5" format !
http://trichromie.free.fr/trichromie/index.php?2009/02/09/1034-les-miracles-de-la-chaux-de-fonds

a larger format (8x10" ?)
http://trichromie.free.fr/trichromie/index.php?2009/02/08/1027-les-machines-suisses

Allen in Montreal
11-Feb-2009, 09:42
Some new prototypes from the Swiss Obscura Camera team as shown last week-end at the annual friendly gathering & print exchange organised by Henri Gaud.......



a larger format (8x10" ?)
http://trichromie.free.fr/trichromie/index.php?2009/02/08/1027-les-machines-suisses

That baby looks like 11x14, but there is a flaw in the series of images!
Only two bottles on the table??
Mon Dieu, comment?? :)


Some amazing works in your other links.

Henri Gaud
11-Feb-2009, 12:12
Hello,

This Suisse camera is a 12x12 inch fix focus
And 2 bottles at beginning,
And after we don't say how many Chablis bottle we drink,
But we are 21 for look thoses camera.

cjbroadbent
12-Feb-2009, 04:23
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm440/downstairs_2008/box2.jpg
5x7 + 120 superAngulon

Robert Fisher
12-Feb-2009, 05:24
Chris, would you mind posting an image or two of the back of your 57? I would like to see how you integrated a 57 back to the "box".

Thanks!

cjbroadbent
12-Feb-2009, 06:12
Chris, would you mind posting an image or two of the back of your 57? I would like to see how you integrated a 57 back to the "box".
Thanks!
Two different backs. Both square, hence a square box. Note the flange.

Robert Fisher
12-Feb-2009, 07:08
Thanks for posting the extra images Chris and all your other informative posts on this board.

I know that you use a 180 with this "box" normally. How does the front move to accept the 120 for focusing?

Colin Graham
12-Feb-2009, 08:46
That's so awesome Chris. The built-in front rise is a great idea.

John Hoang
12-Feb-2009, 10:22
My 5x7 PS with Nikkor SW 90/f8. Back is from a Kodak or Burke and James 8x10 to 5x7 reducing back. GL is a Canham fresnel. My wood working skill is terrible but it works. :p

cjbroadbent
12-Feb-2009, 11:13
[QUOTE=Robert Fisher;439392..... know that you use a 180 with this "box" normally. How does the front move to accept the 120 for focusing?[/QUOTE]
Sorry, fixed focus with the 120. Fixed with glue. A 180 is standard for me on Linhof.

Nana Sousa Dias
12-Feb-2009, 11:20
My 5x7 PS with Nikkor SW 90/f8. Back is from a Kodak or Burke and James 8x10 to 5x7 reducing back. GL is a Canham fresnel. My wood working skill is terrible but it works. :p

This one looks good!

Nana Sousa Dias
12-Feb-2009, 11:21
http://i318.photobucket.com/albums/mm440/downstairs_2008/box2.jpg
5x7 + 120 superAngulon

Simple and smart design, Christopher.

Nana Sousa Dias
12-Feb-2009, 11:23
A 4x5 pinhole camera. It's made from a wooden spice box and a Burke & James 4x5 camera back.

Simple and effective design.

Nana Sousa Dias
12-Feb-2009, 11:25
Here's a P+S 4x5 I made... I aborted this particular design and designed its successor in 3D CAD. Someday I'll get the CAD model 3D printed so I can test it out!


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/353062211_12bb90eb23.jpg
(http://flickr.com/photos/bensyverson/sets/72157594471970946/)


Why did you abandoned this design? What are the major problems with this one? I'm trying to learn from this thread the pros and contras of each design.

Eric Woodbury
12-Feb-2009, 12:24
Chris and others, is there focus on these PS cameras? Do you use one of those helicals (?) or is there a simpler way?

Ash
12-Feb-2009, 12:50
makes me want a LF p&s more and more

dazedgonebye
12-Feb-2009, 12:56
It's a shame focusing helicals are so expensive. Otherwise, it'd be easy/cheap to cobble something together.

John Hoang
12-Feb-2009, 13:08
Eric and dazedgonebye, I am using one of this (or similar to this):http://cgi.ebay.com/Helical-focus-for-LINHOF-4x5-Schneider-65-75-90-150-58_W0QQitemZ200264778042QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFilm_Camera_Accessories?hash=item200264778042&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

cjbroadbent
12-Feb-2009, 14:41
The helical mount would have been nice but there is not much need for focus in landscape. I shimmed my box just short of infinity and normally shoot at f45. A press shutter would have been a greater improvement.

Kuzano
12-Feb-2009, 15:40
Has anyone looked at the focusing helicals from Mamiya Super and Universal Press cameras, not to mention Polaroid 600SE and Graflex XL.... there are plenty of those old lenses out there with focus helicals in the Mamiya Super/Graflex XL graveyard. Just counting the Mamiya, there were helicals for 50MM, 65MM, 75MM, 127MM, 150MM. Same or more for the Graflex XL's.

kv nguyen
12-Feb-2009, 19:17
talking about graflex xl helical. They're really easy to broke ( plastic) and hard to fucus. Nguyen

Nana Sousa Dias
12-Feb-2009, 20:33
Two major problems I found were viewfinders and helical focus devices. Helical focus are expensive except those mencioned by John Hoang, wich I found this week on ebay.
I am dealing with 3 diferente designs and I have 2 lenses to use in a Point&Shoot 4x5 camera that I want to build, one is a Schneider Super Angulon 65/8, the other is a Schneider Super Angulon 47/5.6 XL. It's not easy to find a cheap viewfinder for either of these lens. I think the Gaoersi viewfinder will be the cheapest one wich can deal with a 47mm lens.
I'm still not sure about the design, I have parts of a Cambo Portrait, parts of a Cambo Legend 8x10 from wich I have several backs, lensboards, etc. I have plans and the necessary tools to build a wooden P&S camera, but still thinking about finding the best choice.

Jan Pedersen
12-Feb-2009, 20:51
As Allen pointed out early in this thread, two bottles but did you all 21 drink of the same glass?

Henri Gaud
13-Feb-2009, 01:09
@ Jan Pedersen

If you want to know more about us you can see this links
Yes we drink Chablis with many glass.

http://trichromie.free.fr/trichromie/index.php?Chablis-troc-ste-vronique

You have your information ;-)

Emmanuel BIGLER
13-Feb-2009, 02:34
[OFF-TOPIC]
two bottles but did you

Henri Gaud only allows disposable styrofoam coffee cups for wine tasting, in order that the proper temperature is maintained throughout the whole session ;)

I take the opportunity that we have and Oregonian citizen on-line : we should try to convince Henri Gaud to visit Oregon some day. He could combine some new photographic subjects for the tri-color process and at the same time enjoy some of the best Riesling wines of the New World.
Does the Columbia river gorge (or wherever Oregonian Riesling is made) still produce those excellent white wines I experienced 20 years ago ?

[NOW BACK TO THE TOPIC]

An alternative to true helicals is simply to allow a wooden box to slide inside another.
One should keep in mind the simple design rule:
The amount of travel of the whole lens, required to change focus from infinity to one metre (3") is equal to the square of the focal length in milliimetres, divided by 1000.
For examples with a 90 mm, the required travel is 90x90/1000 = i.e. about 8 mm (approx 5/16")
This is still within reach of a wooden sliding box.

For a 55 mm, things become tricky 55x55 / 1000 = about 3 mm (approx 1/8") ; there, you need an helical.

cjbroadbent
13-Feb-2009, 05:51
[OFF-TOPIC]
...One should keep in mind the simple design rule:
The amount of travel of the whole lens, required to change focus from infinity to one metre (3") is equal to the square of the focal length in milliimetres, divided by 1000.
...
This is most useful. Thanks Emmanuel.

Allen in Montreal
13-Feb-2009, 07:45
Good food, good wine, good company and good photography,
does life get any better? :)

Well done Henri,
c'est ginale.

http://trichromie.free.fr/trichromie/index.php?2008/02/03/600-chablis-troc-fvrier-2008




@ Jan Pedersen

If you want to know more about us you can see this links
Yes we drink Chablis with many glass.

http://trichromie.free.fr/trichromie/index.php?Chablis-troc-ste-vronique

You have your information ;-)

Henri Gaud
13-Feb-2009, 08:48
@ Allen

You can come in France
The next "Sainte Veronique" en 2010 is for 6 fabruary about 18 h in afternoon
You are welcome
If you make some photography for change

And you can drink Chablis with us :)

GPS
13-Feb-2009, 08:48
Good food, good wine, good company and good photography,
does life get any better? :)

Well done Henri,
c'est ginale.



Tant que c'est pas génital, ça va...:)

Henri Gaud
13-Feb-2009, 08:50
Tant que c'est pas génital, ça va...:)

You are right :)

Nana Sousa Dias
13-Feb-2009, 09:01
Here are some of the most perfect home made cameras I've ever seen.
Part 1

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5571/00o7in41212984tz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/6240/5x7034ox3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/9752/0423raymentkirbyeo9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2767/6947xu9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nana Sousa Dias
13-Feb-2009, 09:02
Part 2

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2995/114585428fd3eb5d8ccvb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2029/13791620uc7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/3913/finalwt7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7500/finishedmk201hp2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Nana Sousa Dias
13-Feb-2009, 09:03
Part 3

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/4623/img34zx8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/1507/olympus4x5webfo0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2728/tec54bk6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8966/wp612003bn6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

John Hoang
13-Feb-2009, 11:20
1. Thanks Emmanuel for that great info.

2. Nana, those cameras are undoubtedly beautiful, well designed, and made. But for ones without mechanical and/or wood working skills - like me - it's better to do it quick or buy one and save time for shooting.

I once bought a Gaoersi 4x5. It's a very good camera for the money but doesn't fit very well together with my Canham 5x7 in the backpack unless I take the lens-lens board assembly off the body. It's a pain putting the lens on and off. Also, the lens is dedicated to that camera until you remove it from the lens board. It's the task not easy to do on the field.

The one I made now allows the lens to be used interchangeably with just a flip and stored flat in my backpack with the lens off.

dazedgonebye
13-Feb-2009, 11:29
I'm always envious of the people with skills to build those cameras. I've long fancied a 4x5, 65mm point and shoot.
There is a guy that sells large format pinhole cameras on ebay. Seems like a good source for a light tight box with a back. Cut out a bit of the front and mount a focusing helical and you'd be done.
I might get around to something like that some day.

Allen in Montreal
13-Feb-2009, 18:49
@ Allen

You can come in France
The next "Sainte Veronique" en 2010 is for 6 fabruary about 18 h in afternoon
You are welcome
If you make some photography for change

And you can drink Chablis with us :)


Every year I say to myself........next year, Perpignan!!
And every year, another year goes by and it becomes "next year" :(
i will add Sainte Veronique to the list.


....
If you make some photography for change...



I make pictures every day, just pictures that others tell me to make.
A nice change would be to make more pictures that I want to make.
I go green with envy when I see the work of Jim K's hiking trips with Alex, Juri's country sides and so many other's work.....ok back to work on the backlog of Canon digi files. :-(

jb7
13-Feb-2009, 19:26
I love the Cambo in the first-
that's by far the most sensible approach,
and I might try it with an Arca 171 sometime-

The second is wonderful,
I particularly like the eyelets- though the cone is impressive too.
without seeing the other side though, difficult to know-

Part 2, no.1, that's a beauty-
though it looks like 2x3, but I don't know-

The fourth, nice too, but lacking in shadow detail-

The first of the third looks interesting too-
a camera like that could open some doors for you...
Sorry. Looks great though-

The second also, love the handgrip-
though the actuation of the shutter shouldn't really be on the camera, ideally, no?

The last one is just brilliant, lovely looking-
reckon it would be good handheld too-

There were a couple of cameras posted here by bglick recently
in the 'Updated Graphic - Max. print size for 5 formats ' thread-
which surpassed all of my preconceptions about what 'homemade' meant-

unfortunately, I can't link to the pictures,
because the posts have been deleted by the moderators-

j

Nana Sousa Dias
14-Feb-2009, 06:20
I love the Cambo in the first-
that's by far the most sensible approach,
and I might try it with an Arca 171 sometime-

The second is wonderful,
I particularly like the eyelets- though the cone is impressive too.
without seeing the other side though, difficult to know-

Part 2, no.1, that's a beauty-
though it looks like 2x3, but I don't know-

The fourth, nice too, but lacking in shadow detail-

The first of the third looks interesting too-
a camera like that could open some doors for you...
Sorry. Looks great though-

The second also, love the handgrip-
though the actuation of the shutter shouldn't really be on the camera, ideally, no?

The last one is just brilliant, lovely looking-
reckon it would be good handheld too-

There were a couple of cameras posted here by bglick recently
in the 'Updated Graphic - Max. print size for 5 formats ' thread-
which surpassed all of my preconceptions about what 'homemade' meant-

unfortunately, I can't link to the pictures,
because the posts have been deleted by the moderators-

j

Indeed, joseph, this one, is my favourite, it has rise and fall, here goes a couple more photos.

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/2852/img36ip9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8866/img37aq0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/945/img48vn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9595/img46ph6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Allen in Montreal
14-Feb-2009, 10:41
Tant que c'est pas génital, ça va...:)

I just got this, I looked at it so quickly I did not even realize I had made a typo! :(

2 points sir!

Allen in Montreal
14-Feb-2009, 10:43
This looks like a simple but great approach, thanks Nana.


Here are some of the most perfect home made cameras I've ever seen.
Part 1

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/5571/00o7in41212984tz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

kv nguyen
14-Feb-2009, 19:26
here some thing nice i see

kv nguyen
14-Feb-2009, 19:30
more

Henri Gaud
15-Feb-2009, 02:17
I make pictures every day, just pictures that others tell me to make.
A nice change would be to make more pictures that I want to make.


I hope this nice change for you !!!

http://www.galerie-photo.com/canham-11x14.html

One of my nice change :)

It is a commercial machine, not a "do it your self"

dazedgonebye
15-Feb-2009, 09:10
So, the basic components are?

Lensboard or cone.
Focusing helical (if you don't want to just set to infinity).
4x5 back from some camera or other.

How to put them together? I mean, I could pick up an old beater 4x5 monorail camera, but I have no clue as to how I'd put the front and back standards together.

I guess I'll have to keep envying you folks who have actual skills.

chris_4622
16-Feb-2009, 16:03
Recently completed 110mm camera with removable lens shade. Old pine with shellac and wax finish, black flocked paper lining the shade and inside.

jb7
16-Feb-2009, 16:53
So, the basic components are?

Lensboard or cone.
Focusing helical (if you don't want to just set to infinity).

There are other ways to move the lens-
rack and pinion,
box within a box, like the lovely camera above-


4x5 back from some camera or other.

any size back?
Christopher Broadbent's 5x7 looks good too-
and bigger might actually be easier to make-



How to put them together? I mean, I could pick up an old beater 4x5 monorail camera, but I have no clue as to how I'd put the front and back standards together.



You forgot to mention the lens-
if it's short enough you might only have to think about using one standard-

I have to admit, a p&s looks tempting-


j

Michael Wynd
16-Feb-2009, 18:09
If Eric makes a camera is a Woodburytype?
Mike

Allen in Montreal
16-Feb-2009, 18:25
I hope this nice change for you !!!

http://www.galerie-photo.com/canham-11x14.html.........



Cher Henri,

J'aime bien la facon que vous voyez la vie, mais mon dieu, que cette table de pic nic est tres cher, mais quand meme, elle est tres, tres belle. (je suis tres jaloux)

Henri Gaud
17-Feb-2009, 10:31
Cher Henri,

J'aime bien la facon que vous voyez la vie, mais mon dieu, que cette table de pic nic est tres cher, mais quand meme, elle est tres, tres belle. (je suis tres jaloux)

Hello,

You can make some photography with that pic nic table ;-)

The french way of life

http://trichromie.free.fr/trichromie/index.php?Les-cantines-du-trichromistes

Ne soyez pas jaloux,
Venez nous voir ;-)

Ben Syverson
26-Mar-2009, 09:04
Incredible!!

walter23
26-Mar-2009, 10:06
Pinhole cigar box in action:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b377/walter2323/pinholethingIMG_6733.jpg

And this crazy home-made thing that was supposed to be a simple pinhole camera but that got way out of hand. It takes a graflex bag mag:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b377/walter2323/IMG_7189.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b377/walter2323/IMG_7192.jpg

jb7
26-Mar-2009, 10:15
Nice one Walter-
they do get out of hand...

h2oman
26-Mar-2009, 14:08
Take a look at colinflanarygraham.com He's a sometime participant here, and I noticed that he recently added info on his site about the stuff he has built. He uses only his own cameras, I believe.

jb7
15-Apr-2009, 05:00
Here's a little point and shoot I made for a specific project, using a little plastic lens in a Compur 00-
It's a prototype for another point and shoot that will use a 65mm ƒ/8 Super Angulon in the same shutter-
it'll be similar in form, but an inch thicker in the middle-
and again, American Black Walnut-

It also has a 10¢ 'Helical' focusing mount-
I have to point out that this camera is not a Linhof...


Due to the very crappy lens, which lights up 4x5, but barely covers 6x6,
I'll be mostly using it with a 6x9 back,
but hopefully the 65mm will be used full frame...
whenever I get around to making it-


http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/4127/jb4567front545pro5483.jpg


http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4241/jb4567sidepola4055470.jpg


http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4003/jb4567back545pro5486.jpg


http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1739/jb4567top6x95492.jpg

BarryS
15-Apr-2009, 06:27
Joseph--that's an elegant little camera! I've always loved walnut and the curves you worked into the camera are really nice. I'd love to know what sort of tools you used.

Joseph O'Neil
15-Apr-2009, 06:58
4x5 astrograph, seen on TOP of the telescope, not the telescope itself. :)

I haven't used this camera in years because I blew the drive system & motor drives on my telescope mount, and the parts are no longer made. But I still have the camera (seen top). Helical focuser. Uses a Goerz Hycon 75mm (3 inch) F4 lens.

I also have the yellow & red WW2 era filters for it. Will post a better, close up of the camera when I get a chance. Custom made vacumn film back, most the of camera was actually made by my friend & machinist Dave Rubenhagen, who used to make custom telescope parts.

I started to get good results until I blew the motor drives! :(

jb7
15-Apr-2009, 07:09
Thanks Barry-

Most of the construction, rebates, and leveling were done with a Plunge Router-
The external form was 'sculpted' with a belt sander,
which I also used for the grip groove-

'Rapid Stock Removal' is a quality I look for in a tool...

Henry Suryo
15-Apr-2009, 07:35
Hi Joseph, that's a sleek and elegant looking camera, love the walnut!
The 65mm F8 SA will indeed cover 4x5 full frame, but just, dead-on centered, so no movements will be possible. It has nice fall-off, in my opinion, that adds to the dramatic super wide angle image. Here's a 4x5 P&S I put together with one mated with the matching helical mount.

jb7
15-Apr-2009, 08:18
Well thanks Henry-
Got to admit yours is far more fully featured and grown up looking-
I can only dream of a focusing helical, optical viewfinder and bail back-

Yes, I used to use the 65mm on 4x5 a long time ago-
I tried to get rid of it a couple of times, but nobody bit-
so I'm looking forward to giving it a new lease of life-

Do you get to use yours much?
And do you find it useful?

Henry Suryo
15-Apr-2009, 08:33
I actually sold the camera when I built the 8x10 version with the Perigraphe lens, but the buyer returned it because of two tiny spots of fungus that were overlooked by me.
I did use it on occasions when I take my other 4x5 cameras out. But for contact prints, 4x5 is a bit small, so I usually opted to take the 8x10 or larger. The Super Angulon lens is quite good in my opinion, not as sharp as the later SA I imagine, but I'm quite pleased with the overall quality of the image. The chrome 65mm SA is from the same generation as the 47mm lens on the old Veriwide 100 camera that I used to love and fancied this camera as a bigger version of the Veriwide and less panoramic.

jb7
15-Apr-2009, 08:40
Yes, I've seen resolution tests, and it's not listed as a great performer-
though I never had any issues with mine...

Maybe I should test it myself...

soon-

Nana Sousa Dias
3-Aug-2009, 06:21
Ok guys, here is my almost finished P&S 4x5 camera, the Cambo SD (SD it's not Super Digital, it stands for Sousa Dias ;-)

As I didn't found a cheap helical focus device, I choose the Schneider Super Angulon 47mm XL lens, focused for 3 meters (wich I think it's about 9 feet).
The base of the camera it's a Cambo portrait, the GG it's from a Cambo 4x5 reducing back wich belongs to my Cambo Legend 810.
The 3 plywood plates you can see on the images were necessary to put the lens on the right place for 3 meters focusing. I will change that after checking everything is well done concerning focus. I think I will have everything on focus from 2 meters to infinity with f11, at least, I hope so.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5714/img2588s.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/2155/img2590w.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/390/img2591j.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/281/img2587g.jpg

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/3491/img2586j.jpg

Nana Sousa Dias
3-Aug-2009, 07:33
I choosed the wrong links on Imageshack...

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4362/img2588u.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/img2588u.jpg/)

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1849/img2590q.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/img2590q.jpg/)


http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4162/img2587dun.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/img2587dun.jpg/)

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/7855/img2586eqa.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/i/img2586eqa.jpg/)

Ben Syverson
3-Aug-2009, 07:35
Fantastic!!

Allen in Montreal
3-Aug-2009, 19:47
Ok guys, here is my almost finished P&S 4x5 camera, the Cambo SD (SD it's not Super Digital, it stands for Sousa Dias ;-)........

BeautIful work!! :)
Looking forward to seeing the first exposures from it.

Eric Woodbury
3-Aug-2009, 20:51
Very cool. I'm impressed. Looks like fun.

jb7
12-Aug-2009, 06:10
I finally got around to making the grown up version of the wooden point and shoot-
with the 65mm ƒ/8 Super Angulon in a helical from a Zuiko 50mm ƒ/1.8.

It only just fitted...


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3813939499_d418134e10_o.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3813939493_341d322205_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3813939491_aa699f01f3_o.jpg


Although some people consider it an affront to attempt projects like this,
I think I've got the parallelism issue sorted-
to my own, if not Linhof's satisfaction...

Helped a bit by the ƒ/8...


joseph

Ben Syverson
14-Aug-2009, 21:09
I finally got around to making the grown up version of the wooden point and shoot-
with the 65mm ƒ/8 Super Angulon in a helical from a Zuiko 50mm ƒ/1.8.

Bad ass! Do you have any notes about how you machined the SA into the Zuiko helical?

jb7
15-Aug-2009, 01:14
Hi Ben-

Yes, you can find the pictures here...

http://www.photographyireland.net/viewtopic.php?t=28210&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45

jb7
15-Aug-2009, 01:21
Hi Ben-

Yes, you can find the pictures here...

http://www.photographyireland.net/viewtopic.php?t=28210&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=45

jnantz
15-Aug-2009, 04:30
hi joseph

thanks, it looks like a great camera
and it was a good read !

john

jb7
15-Aug-2009, 04:43
Thanks John-

Unfortunately, some of the earlier pictures in that thread are in the member's gallery,
and you have to be logged in to see them-

They show the construction of the previous version.
The pictures of that version are on page 7 of this thread...


joseph

jnantz
15-Aug-2009, 07:12
that's ok joseph ..
i saw the camera on pg 7 before :)

you do a great job whittling !

john

monkeymon
15-Aug-2009, 11:24
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3813939493_341d322205_o.jpg




this is not homemade, where is the duck tape? :)

John Jarosz
16-Aug-2009, 18:29
While perusing this thread I see many lament the cost of helical focusers. These days the helical focuser mechanisms in 35mm lenses can be almost free. I've used focusers from fast 135mm lenses as they have the largest diameter. You probably need a metal lathe but the skill set is well within the skills I see in this thread. There are a lot of relly cool cameras in this thread.

An off-brand F2.8 135mm lens is very close to free, but the focuser is almost indistinguishable from a high end lens.

Here's a pic of such a helical focuser after it's been liberated from the lens

John

Steve M Hostetter
17-Aug-2009, 12:39
While perusing this thread I see many lament the cost of helical focusers. These days the helical focuser mechanisms in 35mm lenses can be almost free. I've used focusers from fast 135mm lenses as they have the largest diameter. You probably need a metal lathe but the skill set is well within the skills I see in this thread. There are a lot of relly cool cameras in this thread.

An off-brand F2.8 135mm lens is very close to free, but the focuser is almost indistinguishable from a high end lens.

Here's a pic of such a helical focuser after it's been liberated from the lens

John

John,, why not post photos of the 8x20" cam you made?

Daniel Grenier
17-Aug-2009, 13:16
Well, ok. A non-functioning camera but a nice decoration in my gardens... made of copper by my brother in law.

John Jarosz
17-Aug-2009, 13:28
Hmmm..... I thought this thread was about Point & Shoot homemade cameras.

John

Ben Syverson
17-Aug-2009, 20:01
My guess is the bellows are a little stiff...

Nana Sousa Dias
19-Sep-2009, 16:16
I finally got around to making the grown up version of the wooden point and shoot-
with the 65mm ƒ/8 Super Angulon in a helical from a Zuiko 50mm ƒ/1.8.

It only just fitted...


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2660/3813939499_d418134e10_o.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3813939493_341d322205_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3813939491_aa699f01f3_o.jpg


Although some people consider it an affront to attempt projects like this,
I think I've got the parallelism issue sorted-
to my own, if not Linhof's satisfaction...

Helped a bit by the ƒ/8...


joseph

This is a beautifull camera, Joseph. Fantastic woodwork.

Nana Sousa Dias
19-Sep-2009, 16:22
The first photos made with my home made camera. These were made in a tripod, to check the accuracy of the viewfinder. Actually, I get a bit more field than I can see in the viewfinder, wich is good, I'll keep it this way.

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/6734/ribeiradilhas2.jpg (http://img200.imageshack.us/i/ribeiradilhas2.jpg/)http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/ribeiradilhas2.jpg/1/w596.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img200/ribeiradilhas2.jpg/1/)

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3774/ribeiradilhas3.jpg (http://img17.imageshack.us/i/ribeiradilhas3.jpg/)http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/ribeiradilhas3.jpg/1/w900.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img17/ribeiradilhas3.jpg/1/)

Jiri Vasina
20-Sep-2009, 01:06
Nana, your wide angle perspective is drawing me in very strongly. I'm just moving my leg to step next to you...

Jiri

jb7
20-Sep-2009, 02:09
Thanks Nana-

Yours looks like it's working exceptionally well-
do you find you're bringing it out more as your only camera?

My shutter stopped working, in for repair now...

Nana Sousa Dias
20-Sep-2009, 02:11
Nana, your wide angle perspective is drawing me in very strongly. I'm just moving my leg to step next to you...

Jiri


Ahahahah!

I think you should move your leg in another direction, Jiri, next to a better photographer than me!

Nana Sousa Dias
20-Sep-2009, 03:40
Thanks Nana-

Yours looks like it's working exceptionally well-
do you find you're bringing it out more as your only camera?

My shutter stopped working, in for repair now...

My english is not very good, I don't know if I understood correctly your question...

Are you asking if I will go out to photograph with just my home made camera?

jb7
20-Sep-2009, 04:58
yes, sorry about that-
just as you interpreted-

I find that I can use the point and shoot much more easily than bring out the bigger ones,
with their support systems...
so it gets used more-

Nana Sousa Dias
20-Sep-2009, 05:26
yes, sorry about that-
just as you interpreted-

I find that I can use the point and shoot much more easily than bring out the bigger ones,
with their support systems...
so it gets used more-

Ok, Joseph...

I'm afraid not, Joseph...unfortunatelly!

I'm afraid I will just add some more weight to my already heavy backpack!!!!!:D :D :D

My work is more concentrated in landscape photography, however, I would like to do much more urban photography so, that's why I made this camera, because I like very much urban images done with an extreme wide angle (this one is a 47mm, 120º view angle).
However, I enjoy a lot the use of this lens in landscape photography so, what I think will happen is that I will carry this one and the Shen Hao, where ever I will go!!!!:eek:

When I do urban photography, I always carry a 4x5 camera that allow me to shoot with all movements, so I think I will have a problem!!!

Anyway, this is a "always ready" and fast operating camera, wich is very usefull.

Allen in Montreal
20-Sep-2009, 06:25
Nana,

Great images (as all you images always are), beautiful camera!
Very well done.

Nana Sousa Dias
20-Sep-2009, 06:41
Nana,

Great images (as all you images always are), beautiful camera!
Very well done.

Thank you, Allen. Regards

Jiri Vasina
20-Sep-2009, 12:59
Ahahahah!

I think you should move your leg in another direction, Jiri, next to a better photographer than me!

No, not at all, it would be a pleasure for me to watch you in (photographic) action, and to have your comments on mine...

Jiri

willwilson
20-Sep-2009, 15:14
Nana, Great looking camera. Looks like a great use for a 47mm SA.

What is a Cambo Portrait? I can't find any reference to it. Is it one of the passport photo cambos?

Like this:

http://www.cambo.com/Html/downloads/Linkedfiles/english/download/Item88/manual%20passportrait.pdf

or one of the ones listed here...

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Cambo

Thanks!

Nana Sousa Dias
20-Sep-2009, 17:26
Nana, Great looking camera. Looks like a great use for a 47mm SA.

What is a Cambo Portrait? I can't find any reference to it. Is it one of the passport photo cambos?

Like this:

http://www.cambo.com/Html/downloads/Linkedfiles/english/download/Item88/manual%20passportrait.pdf

or one of the ones listed here...

http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Cambo

Thanks!

Well, I can't tell you exactly wich model is but I think it's one of those with 4 lenses. I've never seen the complete camera. A friend of mine gave that part of the camera, I took off the viewfinder, changed the grip form vertical to horizontal position, and fixed a new back into it. Then I made the plywood plates (wich are just for testing, later, I'll do a better looking woodpiece, when I'm really sure about focusing) to acomodate the lens, then I fixed a new viewfinder wich is one of those that are used on apartment doors (much cheaper than the Gaoersi viewfinder).

Miguel Coquis
24-Sep-2009, 10:22
Home made lens board and shutter.
Metal lens board for a 9 pounds lens on a Deardorff 8x10, and a home made shutter to stop using hats.

http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Hermages%20500/DD-Hermages.jpg
http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Hermages%20500/Shutter-Hermages-2.jpg

EdWorkman
24-Sep-2009, 10:34
Please tell us a LOT more about the shutter
regards
Ed

Colin Graham
24-Sep-2009, 11:03
Please tell us a LOT more about the shutter
regards
Ed

Yes please!

Miguel Coquis
24-Sep-2009, 20:26
Ed, Colin..., the shutter is nothing new. Have to be carefully separate from the camera.
Try to bring everything out, screws, camera back, bed, RF, etc. Then, cut the camera wooden part that holds the entire mechanism. Pacemakers are a little more complicate, so better find old speeds with focal shutters in good working order. The biggest the camera format, the biggest covering for the barrels. The one in the picture is a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4. I have another one in the way, a 4x5.
Glad you are interested in these, they are really reliable and light.
If there is any more questions, let me know.

http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Hermages%20500/Shutter-Hermages-1.jpg

EdWorkman
25-Sep-2009, 08:12
So that's a speed graphic- I bought two with that in mind, an anniv and a pre-anniv, but I can't bear the thought of hacking them- and I got the second one cuz I couldn't hack the first one. I keep thinking I might find an uuuuugly one with a good shutter..... this has gone on for a lotta years now.......
So one more query- I might be able to bring myself to hack a 3x4- what's the largest lens barrel diameter you can fit into a 3x4 speed?
thanks very much
regards
Ed

Miguel Coquis
26-Sep-2009, 00:37
It depends on lens construction, focal length, and what one wants to achieve !
The 3x4 offers a +/- 4x4 opening on shutter, one thing to do is to open the camera back and observe the mechanism behavior, this will show range of possibility's.
Try;-)

Colin Graham
26-Sep-2009, 08:18
Thanks for the info Miguel, that's such a great idea.

EdWorkman
26-Sep-2009, 08:26
What Colin said
my thanks too
regards
Ed

jb7
13-Oct-2009, 05:15
Well, this is the third time this thing has been posted here,
in various stages of its development.

The first was a lo-fi thing, with a 50mm plastic lens,
like a Holga, but wider and madder-
the second, a rather more grown-up Super Angulon version, 65mm ƒ/8.

Now it's finished, everything has been sorted out, and it has a choice of lenses.

The lens mount is unchanged, but I found a 75mm lens in a cheap eye loupe in a tool shop,
and it was nearly the right size to fit in the shutter-
I ground down the edges, and now it's interchangeable with the SA-
by simply removing the cells, and replacing them with the biconvex loupe lens, held in place by two O rings.

So it's like a hybrid of the first two versions, with a longer dodgy lens,
giving a proportionately larger image circle, like the Holga-

I also addressed some issues with the film back- I deepened the recess,
and added retaining clips for roll film and Polaroid backs,
and added some seals, which the original version didn't have at all.

I also slimmed down the viewfinder housing, making it a little less chunky-

I've just got the shutter back from repair,
so haven't had much of an opportunity to use it yet-
it gets it's first outing in this guise this weekend-

Full story of this camera can be found on my local forum-


http://www.photographyireland.net/viewtopic.php?t=28210


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3498/3998052457_2039aee3c3_o.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2531/3998050963_b92c17348b_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3418/3998784668_1428f56e5d_o.jpg

csant
14-Oct-2009, 00:22
Joseph, looks very elegant - I really *love* the top view's profile :)

jb7
14-Oct-2009, 01:27
Well thank you-
Apologies for bumping this up,
but it's finished now- previous versions, although they worked,
weren't as well sorted as this one.

Now that I'm happy with the back,
I feel a lightweight field camera coming on...

Bosaiya
14-Oct-2009, 06:55
Dear Joseph, I hate you.



Keep up the good work!

Miguel Coquis
16-Oct-2009, 07:51
In despite of adversity !!!
Here is one I have been planning for long time !
A beautiful "hybrid",
RB auto graflex with front movements, yeah !!!
The best from Graflex plus the best from Linhof, made in France.

http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Graflex%20Linhof/A.jpg
http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Graflex%20Linhof/B.jpghttp://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Graflex%20Linhof/C.jpg

why adversity ?
camera comes from auction site, Canadian seller (therangefinder) omit to give precise info, so shutter is in good working order..., but curtain has been shortened and replaced. In consequence some of the exposures are absent from set. Only slow speeds work (from 1/10 to 1/90). I was needing fast speeds for fast lenses !!!
If someone have an RB auto graflex that needs to go to a new home, please let me know. I will like to take this project to a completely happy end.
<<Shrinked curtains not accepted :-)>>

Bosaiya
16-Oct-2009, 19:19
That's beautiful, Miguel.

Miguel Coquis
17-Oct-2009, 00:58
That's beautiful, Miguel.

Bosaiya, Copcop

Thanks a lot for your appreciation.

Bosaiya
17-Oct-2009, 07:02
Bosaiya, Copcop

Thanks a lot for your appreciation.

You should probably send it my way for a proper evaluation.

Miguel Coquis
17-Oct-2009, 07:30
You should probably send it my way for a proper evaluation.

With great pleasure !
What is your zip code ?

Bosaiya
17-Oct-2009, 12:12
Wait, isn't that how slasher movies start?

Miguel Coquis
18-Oct-2009, 11:13
Following the post on Rb, I'm happy to present to you, not a Home made Rb but a fully refurbished 4x5 Rb Auto Graflex.
Cheers
Laurent....


Looks great ! This are really great cameras !
Bravo, Laurent

pablo batt
19-Oct-2009, 14:45
32286

has a new black internal paint job now and some foma 100 8x10

110mm pinhole briefcase

LynnRB
1-Nov-2009, 14:42
Here is my wide angle point and shoot made mostly from Crown Graphic parts. I use a 75mm S.A. but of course the lens is interchangable. I found a combination bag/pleated bellows so I can use lens to about 180mm. Lynn

Brian Stein
10-Nov-2009, 16:54
Does the front board fold up?

jb7
10-Nov-2009, 17:51
Dear Joseph, I hate you.



Well thank you for letting me know, Bosaiya...

Eric Woodbury
10-Nov-2009, 17:51
Very nice Lynn. I like it.

Robert Hughes
11-Nov-2009, 12:23
Here's an 8x10 box camera I'm building, using a 10 1/4" Wollensak enlarger lens, canvas stretching frames for the front & back standards, a drawer slide on the frame, and black foamcore for box parts. I've made a 4x5 reduction back to accomodate the Graphlex 23 roll film back.

Why's it green? My daughter said it's gotta be green, so there you go...

Miguel Coquis
7-Dec-2009, 11:14
4x5 with rounded back for rear focal plane, this may compensate for distortions...
scanned B&W 4x5 neg and PS color merged images...
http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Pin%20hole/Pinhole-02.jpg
"La Crise", Paris, Arc du Triomphe
http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Pin%20hole/Mitin.jpg

Miguel Coquis
15-Apr-2010, 09:02
In despite of adversity !!!
Here is one I have been planning for long time !
A beautiful "hybrid",
RB auto graflex with front movements, yeah !!!
The best from Graflex plus the best from Linhof, made in France.

http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Graflex%20Linhof/A.jpg
http://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Graflex%20Linhof/B.jpghttp://macoquis.caraldi.com/scaled/Graflex%20Linhof/C.jpg

why adversity ?
camera comes from auction site, Canadian seller (therangefinder) omit to give precise info, so shutter is in good working order..., but curtain has been shortened and replaced. In consequence some of the exposures are absent from set. Only slow speeds work (from 1/10 to 1/90). I was needing fast speeds for fast lenses !!!
If someone have an RB auto graflex that needs to go to a new home, please let me know. I will like to take this project to a completely happy end.
<<Shrinked curtains not accepted :-)>>

Maybe interesting for those who wish to update their Graflex RB (or other cameras with focal curtain...), mine was reviewed by Photo Technique lab in Limoges, France. Curtain was replaced for a new one and all camera mechanics are working as it should.
And is a great camera !!!
Send your request to Mael:
photo-technique@orange.fr

SMBooth
20-Apr-2010, 19:51
Wanting something to fold and put into backpack I converted a Polaroid 340 to take my 6x12 film back. Not as pretty as some but works. 90mm fixed focus at 3.2m

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4530142956_bdd7d6ed2f_o.jpg

JRFrench
20-Apr-2010, 21:25
Nice setup SM, along nearly exactly the same lines as what I am attempting with a polaroid 150. How much does it weigh in at?

SMBooth
20-Apr-2010, 21:43
Nice setup SM, along nearly exactly the same lines as what I am attempting with a polaroid 150. How much does it weigh in at?

Total weigh with that lens is 750grams the back is just 20mm aluminum angle with a clamp to fit 6x12 filmback (another 650grams)
Some more shots http://www.flickr.com/photos/isisford/sets/72157623878823730/

I have a Polaroid 800 which is much like the 150 you have, I just thought it was to heavy for my requirements, also the lens board is a bit trick on it

Cheers
Shane

architorture
15-May-2010, 22:12
inspired by this thread and others on flickr (especially joseph (jb7) and flickr user stonemute) here is my attempt (sorry i forgot to remove the clear filter for the pics):


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4610021122_4f5bd70ed3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/skunstadt/4610021122/in/set-72157622869820626/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/4610021102_e1a9eceab7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/skunstadt/4610021102/in/set-72157622869820626/)

Description: Schneider super-angulon 47mm f/5.6 (coated?, pre-multicoated/MC), horseman 6x9cm rollfilm back, graflex international back adapter frame, 3D-printed ABS plastic body/cone/spacer (+some chipboard to fix a mistake), helicoid taken from Konica 50mm lens, aluminum disc as "lensboard."

it "works," but not great. I have no ground glass to check proper alignment/infinity, etc (i have used a piece of mylar inserted in the darkslide slot, but it is not the right position?) and the horseman back is defective, which complicates testing - it skips frames/locks prematurely, etc. It takes pictures, but I would not say I have yet taken a picture that is sharp, not blurry, properly in focus, or devoid of light-leaks (I think the plastic is not fully opaque, despite the spray paint). I also need to make attachments for a tripod thread and accessory shoe for a viewfinder.

you can see examples here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/skunstadt/sets/72157622869820626/

I hope to re-make the lens cone piece out of something stronger and re-design the shape / dimensions with the knowledge i gained from this. my very first proof-of-concept version was a fixed-focus version made from chipboard (you can see that on flickr). I plan to cast it out of aluminum-filled epoxy resin.

the biggest lesson I learned is DO NOT disassemble a helicoid. I planned to use a metal olympus lens instead of the plastic konica, but i could not restart the threads no matter how long I tried. both are also only just barely big enough to allow for the rear element group of the lens to fit inside, wider helicoids would but nice.

jb7
16-May-2010, 14:26
Good one, and good one Shane and Miguel too-
That's ok MrTorture, blame me, I'm used to it-

Would be great if 3d printing produced opaque parts, even better if it was ir opaque too-
maybe something to investigate further-
but the Al/epoxy should sort everything out-

I didn't find the helical to be difficult to reassemble-
though I took great care to centre the lens.

I once had a 47mm f/8 Komura, though I didn't measure it at the time-
but I expect it might have been a tight fit too-

I know the SA XL is too big...

Let's see some more of these, never tire of them...

Steve M Hostetter
17-May-2010, 13:17
Hello,

This is an 8x10" P&S made for a 110mm-120mm w/ a Copal #1. Made from birch plywood.

Also pictured is a 5x7" P&S made for a 90mm w/ a Copal # 0. Made from birch plywood.

These are prototypes for future cameras made from exotic hardwoods and will be forsale upon request.

The 8x10" P&S body weight is 1-1/2 lb and the 5x7 body is just under 1 lb. I suspect my hardwood cams to weight a little more.

Curt
17-May-2010, 23:01
Would someone show a picture of a homemade 11x14 cameras and holders? All of the work I see here is very nice and well thought out, having built a 4x5 field camera and refurbished several others I can appreciate the work.

Curt

Steve M Hostetter
18-May-2010, 18:17
Hi Curt,

I have played with the idea of making an 11x14" point and shoot like you see above with a Hypergon lens attached..
I have an older 11x14" film holder I'd use for the design and construction.

Not sure I'd go so far as to make a bellows camera though ,, unless I could find me a cheap milling machine to make all the parts

Nana Sousa Dias
19-May-2010, 05:32
Hello,

This is an 8x10" P&S made for a 110mm-120mm w/ a Copal #1. Made from birch plywood.

Also pictured is a 5x7" P&S made for a 90mm w/ a Copal # 0. Made from birch plywood.

These are prototypes for future cameras made from exotic hardwoods and will be forsale upon request.

The 8x10" P&S body weight is 1-1/2 lb and the 5x7 body is just under 1 lb. I suspect my hardwood cams to weight a little more.

Great, Steve! Can you show us some more photos of these cameras?

Steve M Hostetter
19-May-2010, 08:19
first pic is a calibration test w/ a 115mm @f8 on 8x10 P&S paper neg

Steve M Hostetter
19-May-2010, 08:22
more

Steve M Hostetter
19-May-2010, 08:24
I tried to copy the plans but cd burner didn't work on them,will keep trying

Daniel Stone
19-May-2010, 09:28
Steve,

what's a monkey grinder?

-Dan

Steve M Hostetter
19-May-2010, 09:41
Daniel,,

A monkey grinder is a man that stands on the street corner and grinds an old musicbox while his monkey collects money off sympathetic passers-bye

Nana Sousa Dias
19-May-2010, 11:08
I tried to copy the plans but cd burner didn't work on them,will keep trying

Congratulations, you have two fine P&S cameras.

Steve M Hostetter
19-May-2010, 11:20
Thanks Nana for the inspiration ! :)

Steve M Hostetter
19-May-2010, 19:01
Add 3/16" to the depth of the sideview for a perfect calibration

Curt
19-May-2010, 20:17
Hi Curt,

I have played with the idea of making an 11x14" point and shoot like you see above with a Hypergon lens attached..
I have an older 11x14" film holder I'd use for the design and construction.

Not sure I'd go so far as to make a bellows camera though ,, unless I could find me a cheap milling machine to make all the parts

Steve, that's what I was thinking, I have one film holder and was thinking about a point and shoot, either that or a one sheet box point and shoot. Just toying with ideas.

Michael Roberts
20-May-2010, 07:32
Would someone show a picture of a homemade 11x14 cameras and holders? All of the work I see here is very nice and well thought out, having built a 4x5 field camera and refurbished several others I can appreciate the work.

Curt

Curt,
Here is a link to my homemade 11x14. I didn't post it here b/c I thought Nana was primarily interested in hand-held point and shoots....

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=47057&highlight=diy+ulf

I'll post an update soon, as I'm almost finished with the 12x20 expansion back and 8x20 reduction back. Although I used a "found" bellows for the 11x14 (which actually measured only 12.5 x 12.5 in at the back, and which explains why the 11x14 back looks so thick), I made my own bellows for the 12x20 expansion out of kraft paper and vinyl contact paper (shelf liner). Not too difficult, especially if you make a square or rectangle bellows rather than a tapered one.

Working on holders now, too:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=60964&highlight=diy+holders

NicolasArg
1-Jul-2010, 12:25
Thank you guys for all the inspiration this thread gave me. I'm working on this fellow right now:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4747648807_f1a129a2eb.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4747648813_c26575130e.jpg

it's 90% completed, have to mount the sidepanels and paint/anodize it.
It weighs around 1kg and the front panel is shiftable. It can be focused from 90cm to infinite. The back is from my Toyo camera and it rotates in any direction. I think I'll add a pentax 67 grip as an option for hanheld polaroid shooting (I mainly do landscapes, but once in a while).
Hope to finish it soon!

Steve M Hostetter
1-Jul-2010, 16:12
Thank you guys for all the inspiration this thread gave me. I'm working on this fellow right now:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4747648807_f1a129a2eb.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4747648813_c26575130e.jpg

it's 90% completed, have to mount the sidepanels and paint/anodize it.
It weighs around 1kg and the front panel is shiftable. It can be focused from 90cm to infinite. The back is from my Toyo camera and it rotates in any direction. I think I'll add a pentax 67 grip as an option for hanheld polaroid shooting (I mainly do landscapes, but once in a while).
Hope to finish it soon!

Hello Nicolas,,

This is a beauty! Such an original 5x7?

NicolasArg
1-Jul-2010, 17:40
Hello Nicolas,,

This is a beauty! Such an original 5x7?

Thank you Steve! I'm sorry, I completely forgot to mention the format. It's a 4x5, but I kept the design completely expandable, so, eventually, a format switch can be made just taking the complete front panel assembly out and putting it on another frame/back.
If this one comes out fine, I'd like to build a 8x10 camera but keep a higher composites to metal ratio by replacing a commercial back by a custom built carbon fiber one.
The one I posted in this thread, will have carbon fiber side panels and some elements, but the mainframe is aluminum.
Can't wait to test it!

rdenney
2-Jul-2010, 05:39
Thank you guys for all the inspiration this thread gave me. I'm working on this fellow right now:

Man, that makes me want to go out and buy a lathe and a mill, right now. I'm going to have to stop looking at this thread.

Rick "who has enough hobbies" Denney

NicolasArg
3-Jul-2010, 09:18
Xo... thanks Rick!

NicolasArg
12-Jul-2010, 22:39
Well, side and top carbon fiber panels and tripod shoe are mounted and all the seals are checked. It's basically ready to roll :)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4788789127_c93a01d9ea_b.jpg

Michael Roberts
13-Jul-2010, 05:31
Nicolas, Great job! Too bad you don't live anywhere scenic, though....

NicolasArg
13-Jul-2010, 05:52
Thanks Michael! ;)

briand
10-Feb-2011, 20:02
Hi :)
I was inspired to build my own wide camera after viewing this forum, so here it is.
I have used a spare Horseman back, I bought a helical focusing device and a 58mm Schneider XL lens, the body is made form scraps of timber I had lying around, it has a 10mm up & down shift which is locked with the knob at the bottom. I have only to fit the bubble levels and it is finished, it has been fun to make.
cheers Brian :D

PS thinking of making an Aluminum body for a 39mm XL? any thoughts????? :eek:

Jim Fitzgerald
10-Feb-2011, 23:10
I made this one about 4 years ago and haven't really used it since initial tryouts. I need to get/make some better pinholes and some kinda viewfinder. The material is 1/2" gatorboard, clothespins, bamboo print tongs, photo black paper tape. Gatorfoam is extremely light, rigid and machinable with a knife. Maybe I'll mess with it this week and post back with my results.

Vinny, I've never seen this one. It rocks! Can't wait to see the images!

Now I put most of these on the other post about cameras so I'll post a couple here. My recently completed 14x17.

EdWorkman
11-Feb-2011, 13:38
Jim
VERRRRRY Cool
What's your source for the brass knobs, please?
regards
Ed, up the Coast off 101

SocalAstro
11-Feb-2011, 14:15
Here's my 4x5 with Nikkor 65mm and helical focuser. The Back is a Toyo 4x5:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=67354&highlight=P%26S

I'm currently making an 8x10 version around a Nikkor SW120mm lens.

-Leon

SocalAstro
11-Feb-2011, 14:16
If you already have the lens, I'd say go for it :-)

I'm keeping a lookout for a 47mm XL to make a second 4x5.

-Leon



Hi :)
PS thinking of making an Aluminum body for a 39mm XL? any thoughts????? :eek:

Jim Fitzgerald
11-Feb-2011, 17:00
Jim
VERRRRRY Cool
What's your source for the brass knobs, please?
regards
Ed, up the Coast off 101

Ed, the nobs are antiques I found on e-bay. If your in the Ventura area some day let me know and you can come take a look.

Jim Fitzgerald
14-Feb-2011, 09:33
I thought I would post an update. Here is the camera on the tripod I built for my 11x14. We built a sliding tripod block which makes mounting the camera on the tripod so much easier. The 14x17 is 22lbs. so the sliding block is a must. The great thing is that the 4 negatives I exposed in Tri Trans back yard, 3 of which were family portraits, came out great. So the camera is good to go!

Tri Tran
14-Feb-2011, 11:02
I thought I would post an update. Here is the camera on the tripod I built for my 11x14. We built a sliding tripod block which makes mounting the camera on the tripod so much easier. The 14x17 is 22lbs. so the sliding block is a must. The great thing is that the 4 negatives I exposed in Tri Trans back yard, 3 of which were family portraits, came out great. So the camera is good to go!

Hi Jim
The backyard looks so familiar. Thanks for the portrait sitting and I can't wait to print it. It was a fun day !

Roger Thoms
14-Feb-2011, 11:25
I thought I would post an update. Here is the camera on the tripod I built for my 11x14. We built a sliding tripod block which makes mounting the camera on the tripod so much easier. The 14x17 is 22lbs. so the sliding block is a must. The great thing is that the 4 negatives I exposed in Tri Trans back yard, 3 of which were family portraits, came out great. So the camera is good to go!

Jim this may indeed be homemade, but I really think handmade would be a better description. It's gorgeous!!!

Roger

Jim Fitzgerald
14-Feb-2011, 19:11
Roger, thank you. I like to think of the cameras as hand crafted. There is a lot of love that goes into them.

Jim Fitzgerald
16-Feb-2011, 15:51
I thought I'd add a couple of more images. These are shots of the reducing board I made so I could use my lenses that are mounted on 6x6 boards. I've got a 19" Artar and others that I want to try. I mounted the 16" Darlot and took a few pic's.

Peter De Smidt
16-Feb-2011, 16:01
Looks great, Jim.

Jim Fitzgerald
16-Feb-2011, 17:28
Peter, thanks. Now that I have the 14x17 up and running my Darlot doesn't look so big any more!

Steve M Hostetter
26-Feb-2011, 19:56
Einfachheit

Steve M Hostetter
26-Feb-2011, 20:01
the back

Steve M Hostetter
27-Feb-2011, 05:20
some more

briand
27-Feb-2011, 22:38
Steve
Great looking camera,is it a fixed lens? look forward to seeing some pic's form it.
Cheers Brian :D
PS. I'm working on my alloy body, it will have a 47mmXL with center filter.

Steve M Hostetter
28-Feb-2011, 06:59
Brian,

Thank you, yes fixed lens.. can't wait to see your creation as well!

almost as much fun making the cameras as it is taking the photos :D

briand
13-Mar-2011, 21:26
This is my latest home built Project:D
Ive used a Cambo SCX revolving back and rear standard, made up a new front plate, tripod mount and added a viewfinder and 47mm XL lens, also this is a test shot on a horseman 6x7 roll film back I shot over the weekend. :)
cheers all :)
PS Nana your an Inspiration

Nana Sousa Dias
14-Mar-2011, 06:58
some more

Nice camera, Steve.

Jay DeFehr
14-Mar-2011, 07:12
A truly inspiring thread! There is some beautiful, creative and innovative work here, but Joseph, yours stands out among even such an impressive crowd. Congratulations, and thanks to everyone for sharing the fruits of your ideas and your labors.

Nana Sousa Dias
14-Mar-2011, 07:16
This is my latest home built Project
Ive used a Cambo SCX revolving back and rear standard, made up a new front plate, tripod mount and added a viewfinder and 47mm XL lens, also this is a test shot on a horseman 6x7 roll film back I shot over the weekend.
cheers all
PS Nana your an Inspiration

Briand, your camera is perfect! I own one of those Cambo revolving backs. I think I'm gonna use it for my next camera.

Meanwhile, I finished my 4x5 camera with a decent lensboard. The original lensboard was made with 3 plywood sheets, wich I used to "fine tune" the focus point. Those sheets were suposed to be replaced with an exotic wood board but, you know how it is, they remained in the camera untill last week, and I've been shooting like that for about 2 years.

I found in a chinese store a bamboo kitchen board, one of those things we use in the kitchen to cut vegetables, etc.
I cost me 1,5€!!!
Here is the final version (final version untill this week, I don't know how it will be on next!):D

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4828/nsd45ps2.jpg (http://img64.imageshack.us/i/nsd45ps2.jpg/)

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/8030/nsd45ps1.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/nsd45ps1.jpg/)

rdenney
14-Mar-2011, 07:37
This is my latest home built Project:D
Ive used a Cambo SCX revolving back and rear standard, made up a new front plate, tripod mount and added a viewfinder and 47mm XL lens, also this is a test shot on a horseman 6x7 roll film back I shot over the weekend. :)
cheers all :)
PS Nana your an Inspiration

Yes! This must be my project for this year. I have a Calumet 45NX view camera languishing in the closet with nothing useful to do in life, and not worth enough to sell. In the parts you have used, it is identical. I think I will use a 65mm lens for mine, and a reversed recessed lens board as a cone, if the dimensions work out.

I am tempted to put a tripod mount on top of the thing and use my little Leica digicam as a finder, heh.

Rick "not much home-made about it, though" Denney

Steve M Hostetter
14-Mar-2011, 07:42
Nice camera, Steve.

thank you Nana,, and you the same !

Brian, well done!

Jay DeFehr
14-Mar-2011, 09:31
Nana,
The new lens board looks great! Does anyone have any recommendations for a 58mm viewfinder?

briand
14-Mar-2011, 13:13
Nana,
The new lens board looks great! Does anyone have any recommendations for a 58mm viewfinder?

the viewfinder I have on my 47mm is a Gaoersi, bought it on ebay, $89.00 they make Zoom ones as well 58mm to 120 I think, Hope this helps.
Cheers Brian :D

Jay DeFehr
14-Mar-2011, 14:09
Brian,

I don't know much about viewfinders, but it seems to me the angle of view of the viewfinder would need to match that of the lens/format, and it would also need to be masked to match the aspect ratio of the format; is that right? Do you specify these things when ordering? I want to use my 58mm Grandagon with my 3x4 back, but I'm not sure how to match everything up. Thanks for your help!

briand
14-Mar-2011, 20:55
Brian,

I don't know much about viewfinders, but it seems to me the angle of view of the viewfinder would need to match that of the lens/format, and it would also need to be masked to match the aspect ratio of the format; is that right? Do you specify these things when ordering? I want to use my 58mm Grandagon with my 3x4 back, but I'm not sure how to match everything up. Thanks for your help!

Yes you are right, the viewfinders are matched to the format, mine is masked for 4x5 & 6x12, you will need to make up a mask if you are using a 3x4 back, or they may do this for you if you ask.
Cheers Brian :)

briand
14-Mar-2011, 21:03
Thanks Nana. :)
your lens board is terrific, never would have thought of using a cutting board, it is nice looking wood,my lens panel is made from 3mm plate alloy, I'm now making a 12mm Spacer to use my 58mm XL on the camera as well.
Cheers Brian:D

argos33
15-Mar-2011, 00:27
Einfachheit

Steve,
What kind of tripod is that? I have been looking for something small like that, one that could hold a MF & LF camera.

I'll have to take some photos of my camera I just finished - made of welded aluminum for night exposures!

Evan

jb7
15-Mar-2011, 04:38
A truly inspiring thread! There is some beautiful, creative and innovative work here, but Joseph, yours stands out among even such an impressive crowd. Congratulations, and thanks to everyone for sharing the fruits of your ideas and your labors.

Jay, do you mean mine?

If so, many thanks, if not, then that's terribly embarrassing...

I've been working on designs for many more cameras over the past year-
from small p&s's to ULF, and it's time to start making some-
and hopefully selling some-

I've just about put the components together to enable me to produce the first of the small ones- a street camera using a Mamiya RB67 back. There will also be a 6x9 Wista/Horseman version-

These will have focusing and interchangeable lens mounts, and will take lenses from superwide to short standard.

There will also be 4x5 and 5x7 versions (maybe 8x10 too), which will have some limited shift and tilt functions, in addition to the focusing mount.

All will use a pretty novel viewfinder system...

There are new elements to pretty much all of the cameras I'm designing, and I'm not even sure that all of these elements will work yet.
The thing that's taking some time with this series is the unification of the look of the cameras across a range of sizes.

Hopefully, it won't take very much longer before I have something to show...

Steve M Hostetter
15-Mar-2011, 04:48
Steve,
What kind of tripod is that? I have been looking for something small like that, one that could hold a MF & LF camera.

I'll have to take some photos of my camera I just finished - made of welded aluminum for night exposures!

Evan

Evan,

It's a Slik mini pro tabletop tripod

steve

Jay DeFehr
15-Mar-2011, 08:32
Jay, do you mean mine?

If so, many thanks, if not, then that's terribly embarrassing...

I've been working on designs for many more cameras over the past year-
from small p&s's to ULF, and it's time to start making some-
and hopefully selling some-

I've just about put the components together to enable me to produce the first of the small ones- a street camera using a Mamiya RB67 back. There will also be a 6x9 Wista/Horseman version-

These will have focusing and interchangeable lens mounts, and will take lenses from superwide to short standard.

There will also be 4x5 and 5x7 versions (maybe 8x10 too), which will have some limited shift and tilt functions, in addition to the focusing mount.

All will use a pretty novel viewfinder system...

There are new elements to pretty much all of the cameras I'm designing, and I'm not even sure that all of these elements will work yet.
The thing that's taking some time with this series is the unification of the look of the cameras across a range of sizes.

Hopefully, it won't take very much longer before I have something to show...

Joseph,

You are indeed the Joseph to whom I referred. Design of all kinds has always been a passion for me, and many times a thorn in my side, as I can't resist re-designing almost everything I use, even if only mentally. I find the design of your camera posted here elegant and simple, yet highly sophisticated. It reminds me of the many beautifully handcrafted prototypes I've seen that eventually become the luxury items we all covet, but few can afford. A camera that loves to be photographed, equally confident from any angle it's viewed. I hope you won't fall prey to any wicked impulses to make your cameras too practical or versatile; god knows we have enough of those already. That being said, I think your camera cries out for the best optics money can buy. Spare no expense here; indulge yourself.

I'm very interested in your other designs, and I'd love to discuss them with you at length, but don't wish to hijack this thread, so I'll PM you instead. Thanks again for posting.

Jay

Jay DeFehr
15-Mar-2011, 09:39
Yes you are right, the viewfinders are matched to the format, mine is masked for 4x5 & 6x12, you will need to make up a mask if you are using a 3x4 back, or they may do this for you if you ask.
Cheers Brian :)

Thanks, Brian. I'll contact the seller and see what they can offer.

Jay

jb7
15-Mar-2011, 15:14
... I hope you won't fall prey to any wicked impulses to make your cameras too practical or versatile; god knows we have enough of those already. That being said, I think your camera cries out for the best optics money can buy. Spare no expense here; indulge yourself.

...


Jay, thanks for your comments, much too kind-

The wicked impulses are always a temptation, when faced by a clean sheet of paper.
Practicality is always a good thing, versatility too- however, a point and shoot will always be limited- almost by definition.

A large format point and shoot (which is what this thread deals with) will usually be a super wide-angle thing- the physical size will determine that.
The larger the format, the wider it needs to be-
and I suppose that's where the limitations on practicality and versatility will become most apparent, for most people.

Cameras can be beautiful objects, even the ugly ones can win our affection.
Their tactile qualities, combined with their purpose, transcending purely practical considerations, can lead to relationships with them which might border on the fetishistic-
but they still need to be able to make pictures...

Regarding the lenses-
I quite enjoyed using simple magnifying glasses on the Plank, and made some good pictures with them. I also made some good pictures with the 65mm Super Angulon...
Next, I look forward to using short Tessars, in addition to using more Super Angulons, and more simple lenses, maybe even some short Petzvals- and I look forward to being able to change easily between these lenses-

These new cameras will not be limited to a single focal length, or lens...

Steve M Hostetter
20-Mar-2011, 06:51
8x10" P&S ,, maple, oak, and ebony

jb7
21-Mar-2011, 08:28
Hope you don't mind another bit of trumpet blowing, but my Plank made it to Number one in a design chart that contains two iPhones.

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/design/popular

Of course, this will change, but this is what the chart looks like now...

If any of you do Tumbler, maybe you could keep it clicked up- it's nice to be at number one, even at something totally inconsequential, like this...


joseph

Jay DeFehr
21-Mar-2011, 09:48
Congratulations, Joseph! I couldn't agree more.

SMBooth
21-Mar-2011, 13:50
8x10" P&S ,, maple, oak, and ebony

Nice piece of work Steve, what focal length is it. The joinery look great.

Steve M Hostetter
21-Mar-2011, 14:47
hello, thank you it is a 115mm Rodenstock

Jay DeFehr
21-Mar-2011, 16:02
Very nice work, Steve! I love the peanut grip!

Steve M Hostetter
22-Mar-2011, 08:47
thank you Jay, never thought about it but it does look like a peanut :D I took it out shooting last couple of days and been souping negs.. everything looks good on the light table!

Jay DeFehr
22-Mar-2011, 10:35
How do you prevent drooling when looking at 8x10 negs on a light table? It's a problem.

I'm working on an 8x10 P&S too, but mine is for portraits, and a monstrosity compared to yours. I'm training by holding my 14-1/2" Verito at arm's length for as long as I can, which it turns out, is not very long.

Steve M Hostetter
22-Mar-2011, 10:59
Jay,,

I agree those 8x10's need to be seen to be appreciated..!

In regards to building a working p&s I remember someone saying, " It's as simple as building a box". I suppose a house or a skyscraper is just a box or an automobile is just a box with wheels..
I can remember the first " box " I made I had to redo it several times..
I can't wait to see the results from your " box " :D!

Jay DeFehr
22-Mar-2011, 12:02
Steve, I feel I should do my best to keep your expectations low....very low in proximity to the beautiful work exhibited in this thread. My material of choice for proving concepts is black foamcore, which makes revisions quicker and less painful. In order to avoid very unflattering comparisons, I'm more likely to post examples of images made with a proof of concept camera than images of the camera itself (assuming success). If ever one of my designs evolves from proof of concept to prototype, I'll be happy to post an image, even my work is humble by comparison to others here.

Steve M Hostetter
22-Mar-2011, 15:24
Jay,

Interesting,,! I would suggest you might need to center the 1/4" socket front to back for better balance..? Will your lens weigh much?

sorry, I just get the feeling there might be some flex there

Jay DeFehr
22-Mar-2011, 17:59
Steve, I didn't tell you the craziest part......I intend to shoot hand-held. I've done the math, and it pencils out. The weight of the camera is at the ends, where it will be supported by my hands. The middle just needs to be stiff enough to not collapse. Foamcore can be amazingly rigid for its weight. The lens I intend to use for testing is my 16" Turner triple convertible. It's certainly not light, but nowhere near as heavy as my Verito, which was my first crazy thought. What dissuaded me from the Verito was not the weight, but the Studio shutter. I'm not sure I could fire it fast enough to prevent camera motion blur, which will be the greatest challenge, and one that can't be predicted mathematically, except by the old rule of thumb that one's shutter speed should match the focal length of the lens. I don't think the rule was meant to apply to anything as unorthodox as my camera, but even so, it recommends a 1/400 shutter speed, same as the sunny 16 rule recommends for ISO 400 film, which I intend to use. Then there's the dreaded Bellows Extension Factor, which will fine me 2 stops for shooting too close to 1:1, leaving me at f/8 with 3/4" dof @ 40" from my subject, or using a shutter speed around 1/100 @ f/16, leaving me a roomy 1-1/2" of dof! Can I shoot a camera 30" long at 1/100 and get acceptably sharp results? I'm betting I can, and hoping the generosity of contact printing will provide me a little slack.

Once I get the camera bench tested, and I'm satisfied everything is lined up well enough, I'll lay a layer or two of fiberglass over the foamcore before I venture into the world at large for field testing. That will stiffen things up nicely, and lend some protection from the elements, without adding a lot of weight, or changing the balance. It will be held more like a rifle than a camera, with one pistol grip under the lens, and another about 12" forward from the back, so I can nestle the back against my shoulder like a rifle butt. There is not back, as such, just a slot in the top of the camera for the film holder.

I'm sorry, that's probably way more information than you wanted. I get carried away.

Steve M Hostetter
22-Mar-2011, 18:30
Jay,

Bravo! You could always bolt a 12"x12" plywood attached to a quick release for your tripod head if need be! Just set ur on top and strap it on if tilted much

Jay DeFehr
22-Mar-2011, 21:20
Sure enough. I'm certainly not afraid of a little plywood and duct tape, if needed.:D

LeoPonton
24-Mar-2011, 12:41
Here's the camera I'm building. It's a 4x5 inspired by Jon Grepstad. His design is for a monorail, but I think this is going to be a field camera. I can decide such trivial details as and when, though. I think the inspiration was more in the sense of "stop procrastinating and just get on with it".

I see it as a test bed / prototype, so I don't mind making mistakes (not too much, anyway). The design is largely in my head, but once built, I'll scale off it, draw, modify, rebuild etc. I toyed with the idea of 5x7 and may still build one unless I go straight to 8x10 or ULF!

If anybody can suggest a source of reasonably priced rack and pinion in the UK or Europe, I'd be very grateful.

The bellows material is fine weave calico with 7 coats of 50%-thinned artist's black acrylic.

Jay DeFehr
24-Mar-2011, 13:21
Leo,

Your bellows looks great! How does it behave? Good luck, and keep us posted.

LeoPonton
24-Mar-2011, 13:55
The bellows are very flexible. It looks like I'll get all the shift and swing that I need.

The paint hasn't really made them too thick, heavy or stiff. I got the idea from a guy in Taiwan who paints silk for bellows cloth. I've linked to his site from my camera blog, http://large-format-camera.blogspot.com/ , which I'll be updating as I build.

Having seen how the cloth is made up, I think I would probably go an extra coat or two next time.

LeoPonton
24-Mar-2011, 14:04
Here's another photo of the bellows. The wrinkles are because I had painted another coat on the outside to hide glue marks etc. and it was still not 100% dry. Now the bellows is dry, there are no wrinkles.

Jay DeFehr
24-Mar-2011, 17:06
Really cool, Leo! Thanks for the links.

Nana Sousa Dias
24-Mar-2011, 17:48
Nana,
The new lens board looks great! Does anyone have any recommendations for a 58mm viewfinder?

Thanks, Jay. My viewfinder is not a pretty one but it works and cost me 5 euros...

Nana Sousa Dias
24-Mar-2011, 17:53
Thanks Nana. :)
your lens board is terrific, never would have thought of using a cutting board, it is nice looking wood,my lens panel is made from 3mm plate alloy, I'm now making a 12mm Spacer to use my 58mm XL on the camera as well.
Cheers Brian:D

Well, I never thought about that neither, I just saw the cutting board on the chinese shop and found that the bamboo wood was really good looking and about the right thickness. I just had to put an o-ring between the lens and the "lensboard" and it was ok.

Nana Sousa Dias
24-Mar-2011, 17:57
8x10" P&S ,, maple, oak, and ebony

Fantastic wood work, Steve! I'm stunned....

Steve M Hostetter
24-Mar-2011, 18:42
Thank you Nana:)

Jay DeFehr
25-Mar-2011, 20:45
I was given a crate at work (thank you, Paulie), and I'm making it into a 16x20 box camera (the Alaskan). Not that I intend to use 16x20 film, but I could if I found some under my pillow one morning. I intend to use 14x17 X-ray film. I'm working out a way to load 4 sheets into the camera without holders, which would allow me to shoot 4 sheets in a day, if I was so inclined. I'll have to load/unload the camera in the welding shop, where I can arrange safe lighting. Then I can load the camera into the back of my truck and look for inspiration. I plan to use the 28" element from my T/R triple. My box is 17" x 27" x 33" inside. I've put a few coats of black paint inside, but I'll need a few more. I have some casters I'm still debating using. I don't think they'll be very useful. I also have some carrying handles, which definitely will be useful. I don't know what this thing weighs, but it's substantial, constructed of 3/4" plywood. The guys in the Fab Shop are cutting me a piece of 1/8" plate to use as a kind of guillotine film plane. I want to put three leveling feet on the box, because I won't be using a tripod. I'll most likely shoot out of the bed of my truck most of the time. I know it's not pretty, but it suits the environment here. It will look right at home in the back of my truck, or on a well pad, or at any of the facilities. I'm thinking of adding front rise, though I won't be able to see the effect directly until I process the film. I'm hoping to have it loaded and ready for spring break-up. I apologize for the images (iPhone).

Jay DeFehr
25-Mar-2011, 20:47
Oops.

Colin Graham
26-Mar-2011, 09:12
Jay, why the "oops"? That sounds like a great project! Hope you post some of the photos taken with it.

Jay DeFehr
26-Mar-2011, 12:02
Colin, oops referred to my posting two of the same image in the previous post. I will post photos as soon as I have some. I'm very curious, and don't really know what to expect.

Jay DeFehr
27-Mar-2011, 11:01
I'm re-thinking my scheme for a 4-sheet film system. Since the box is oversized, and in the interest of simplicity, I'm thinking I might install a couple of sleeves, like the ones used in changing tents, and use the camera itself as a kind of changing box. I could make a box for unexposed film, and another for exposed film in the bottom of the box, and just reach in and change the film between exposures. I might as well take maximum advantage of the size and bulk, and it would give me somewhere to store my film!

briand
28-Mar-2011, 15:29
Hi Jay.
looks like a big project, look forward to seeing the finished article.
this is my latest addition to my Wide collection,finished it Yesterday,and a test shot as well, Cheers all :D
Now working on my last one, started machining the blank last week.
PS this is getting obsessive :eek:

Jay DeFehr
28-Mar-2011, 16:52
Very nice, Brian.

GPS
28-Mar-2011, 17:44
I'm re-thinking my scheme for a 4-sheet film system. Since the box is oversized, and in the interest of simplicity, I'm thinking I might install a couple of sleeves, like the ones used in changing tents, and use the camera itself as a kind of changing box. I could make a box for unexposed film, and another for exposed film in the bottom of the box, and just reach in and change the film between exposures. I might as well take maximum advantage of the size and bulk, and it would give me somewhere to store my film!

Com'on, don't be shy. Why not to put there a shower room to wash the film after development..?

GPS
28-Mar-2011, 18:03
I'm re-thinking my scheme for a 4-sheet film system. Since the box is oversized, and in the interest of simplicity, I'm thinking I might install a couple of sleeves, like the ones used in changing tents, and use the camera itself as a kind of changing box. I could make a box for unexposed film, and another for exposed film in the bottom of the box, and just reach in and change the film between exposures. I might as well take maximum advantage of the size and bulk, and it would give me somewhere to store my film!

How will you close the sleeves against light before you take your hands out of them - with the film inside ready to be exposed?;)

Nana Sousa Dias
28-Mar-2011, 18:34
Hi Jay.
looks like a big project, look forward to seeing the finished article.
this is my latest addition to my Wide collection,finished it Yesterday,and a test shot as well, Cheers all :D
Now working on my last one, started machining the blank last week.
PS this is getting obsessive :eek:

Fantastic look! I thought it was a Cambo Wide, in the thumbnail! What machines do you have to cut aluminum? How do you do the finishing? Is it normal paint?

Jay DeFehr
28-Mar-2011, 19:22
How will you close the sleeves against light before you take your hands out of them - with the film inside ready to be exposed?;)

A fair question. Inside the sleeve there will be a door/flap. I'll put my hand in the sleeve, reach in and open the door, put my hand through, do my work, close the door, and remove my hand from the sleeve. Voila'!

I know this camera is ludicrous, but I'm actually warming up to the potential of big box cameras. The box doesn't need to be industrial strength, ie weigh as much as a substantial chest of drawers to function.If it was made of polystyrene panels, for instance, it would work just as well and weigh a fraction of my behemoth. Taken further, a camera could be made much more like an actual changing tent, and fold up to manageable dimensions. I'm not saying a reach-in box camera will challenge the field camera for dominance, but it could allow people who work for a living to make really big negatives.

Last time I was home, Julia and I went out and put a roll of film through an old Ansco Shur Shot 6x9 format box camera. It was a lot of fun, and the resulting negatives were surprisingly good. What occurred to me while using the box camera, and later when examining the negatives and trying to explain to Julia why I waste my time with more complex and expensive cameras, is that these simple cameras are capable when used within their narrow range of capabilities. In other words, complex cameras are adjustable to a wide variety of conditions and applications, and employ a sometimes bewildering array of adjustments designed to configure the camera to almost any conditions. These adjustments are what confuse beginners, who often opt for cameras that make most of the adjustments automatically, or scare them away from photography altogether. A box camera permits very few adjustments, and so conditions must favor their use to a much larger extent than is true for a more adjustable camera. The simplest box cameras have fixed focus, aperture, and shutter speed. The only adjustments left for the operator are film choice and where to point the camera. But when conditions are favorable to the limitations of the camera, the potential for quality images is limited only by the quality of the lens, the light-proof-ness of the body, and the flatness of the film plane, and the larger the format, the less critical is the quality of the lens. Light-proofing and plane-flattening are manageable tasks, even for the less than master artisan.

So, a big box camera makes a certain kind of sense, if one wants to make really big negatives without spending really big $$$. All one needs is a lens capable of covering the format, and film. I'm using the 25" element from my Turner triple convertible- not an expensive piece of glass by any means, but it does have a reliable shutter, which is quite convenient, though not strictly necessary. And I'll be using X-ray film, which is not terribly expensive, unlike "real" film. Just about anything will work for the box, and no film holders, ground glass, loupe, or dark cloth are required. I might be singing a different tune after I try to use my big box, but for now, I'm optimistic. Sorry for the ramble!

briand
28-Mar-2011, 19:27
Fantastic look! I thought it was a Cambo Wide, in the thumbnail! What machines do you have to cut aluminum? How do you do the finishing? Is it normal paint?

Hi Nana.
yes the design Idea was from the Cambo wide, :D it is made from sheets of 3mm alloy bolted together, it was individually cut with a gig saw with metal blade, the paint is spray can,Satin Black 1st coat normal, then next coats sprayed at a distance so the paint is drying as it hits the surface (best done on a hot day in the sun).
It has a Cambo Revolving back and 15mm up & down shift. 47mm XL & 58mm XL lens,
the handle was made from 2 pieces of laminated ply glued together the shaped.
the one I am making now (my last one) is machined from a 20mm piece of alloy, so I have a lot of machining to do.:cool:
Cheers Brian :D

Nana Sousa Dias
28-Mar-2011, 19:38
Hi Nana.
yes the design Idea was from the Cambo wide, :D it is made from sheets of 3mm alloy bolted together, it was individually cut with a gig saw with metal blade, the paint is spray can,Satin Black 1st coat normal, then next coats sprayed at a distance so the paint is drying as it hits the surface (best done on a hot day in the sun).
It has a Cambo Revolving back and 15mm up & down shift. 47mm XL & 58mm XL lens,
the handle was made from 2 pieces of laminated ply glued together the shaped.
the one I am making now (my last one) is machined from a 20mm piece of alloy, so I have a lot of machining to do.:cool:
Cheers Brian :D

Congratulations, Brian, you have a really good looking camera!!! I'll wait for your next one. You gonna cut the 20mm alloy with the gig saw????:confused:

briand
28-Mar-2011, 21:04
Congratulations, Brian, you have a really good looking camera!!! I'll wait for your next one. You gonna cut the 20mm alloy with the gig saw????:confused:

No :eek:
I'm using a Industrial Milling Machine at the local Mens Shed, We have laths, Mills and all sorts of other gear, Its a place for men to go and do Projects, sponsored by the Government.
keeps us of the streets :D (for retired men)
Cheers and thanks all for the comments.

jb7
29-Mar-2011, 01:54
Brian, I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I could use a men's shed...

Very purposeful looking camera, looks great-

Jay, I've been following your big box, what you say makes a lot of sense-

As always, it's possible to keep pushing these things, one thing leads to another, particularly when dealing with the larger sizes-

I did have an idea for a large camera like yours-
but it's been shelved (a large shelf) at least temporarily-

However, pushing it just a little further-
At the size you mention, it should be possible to get your head inside, or at least a pair of magnifying goggles- meaning that perhaps it doesn't have to be completely fixed (or zone) focused at all- you might be able to see the image formed at the focal plane by viewing it from a position beside the lens.

So, you've already eliminated, or simplified three of the more complicated components in a camera- the focusing screen, the registration system for the film holder, and the film holder itself-

I think the big wooden box is a good place to find the inspiration, but might prefer to see this go on in some of the lighter materials you mentioned-

Good stuff all round, your one as well Steve, the Ebony looks great...

GPS
29-Mar-2011, 02:03
A fair question. Inside the sleeve there will be a door/flap. I'll put my hand in the sleeve, reach in and open the door, put my hand through, do my work, close the door, and remove my hand from the sleeve. Voila'!

...

Hmm - and the door will open to the inside of the camera or to its outside? Because inside the camera you will also have the cover of your unexposed and exposed film that must also open somewhere. How will you make it so that all these doors won't beat each other? ;)

Nana Sousa Dias
29-Mar-2011, 04:51
No :eek:
I'm using a Industrial Milling Machine at the local Mens Shed, We have laths, Mills and all sorts of other gear, Its a place for men to go and do Projects, sponsored by the Government.
keeps us of the streets :D (for retired men)
Cheers and thanks all for the comments.

Wish I had a government like that here, in Portugal. Our government doesn't take you out of the streets, it just take your money out of your pocket....

Frederich Holtier
30-Mar-2011, 20:42
Hi, everyone.
My name is Frederich Holtier and I am new to this forum. I rediscovered the black and white photography a few years ago and I am also interested in large format cameras. I have a few projects of 4x5 cameras in process and also I just started a 8x10 one. This is the back. I found a original Deardorff focusing glas and springs, everything else is home made. It might look like the original back but is not. Since I never had one in my hands, I had to redesign everything, makin sure that the film hoder will fit. The wood is mahagony died black and finished with satin tung oil. I hope I could make some progress and post a few more pics.

Jay DeFehr
30-Mar-2011, 21:35
Frederich,

That's a beautiful back! I look forward to seeing the rest of the camera. If it's as nice as the back, you'll have an excellent camera. Welcome to the forum.

briand
30-Mar-2011, 23:05
Hi Federich.
Look forward to seeing your camera, the back is very nice

Welcome to the forum.
Cheers Brian

Curt
30-Mar-2011, 23:09
Hi, everyone.
My name is Frederich Holtier and I am new to this forum. I rediscovered the black and white photography a few years ago and I am also interested in large format cameras. I have a few projects of 4x5 cameras in process and also I just started a 8x10 one. This is the back. I found a original Deardorff focusing glas and springs, everything else is home made. It might look like the original back but is not. Since I never had one in my hands, I had to redesign everything, makin sure that the film hoder will fit. The wood is mahagony died black and finished with satin tung oil. I hope I could make some progress and post a few more pics.

Hello and welcome,

The work looks excellent.

Curt

Jay DeFehr
31-Mar-2011, 08:02
Joseph,

I didn't mean to snub you; I didn't see your post yesterday. I like the idea of focusing inside the camera. The film plane could run on tracks along the top-sides of the box, kind of like an upside- down bed camera. If you could look inside, a red filter could be fitted to the lens and function as a safe light for film placement and the image could be focused directly on the film itself. And if the film plane was built like a normal standard, movements could be possible, too....theoretically. Kind of a field camera-in-a-box, or a bag.;)

GPS,

Maybe you're having a hard time visualizing the scale of this thing. There's plenty of room for everything inside.

Frederich Holtier
1-Apr-2011, 18:51
Jay, Brian, Curt, thanks for welcoming me to the forum. I would like to keep the work as nice as I can, for all the parts of the project. I am not sure yet, wich solution shall I adopt for the bed construction, a traditional wood frame with racks or a more simple and more practical solution using ceramic coated aluminium rods with teflon bushings, etc..

PolarBear1973
2-Apr-2011, 04:52
Had an extra lens , ground glass, wood, a vice, and some spare time...

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/PolarBear1973/HomemadeCameraFront.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/PolarBear1973/HomemadeCameraBackHDR.jpg

The ground glass is held in a filed down picture frame (made to be the same size as a wooden film holder. Second picture is an HDR to get the detail on the GG

Jay DeFehr
2-Apr-2011, 08:30
So, it's a sliding box? Focused by the vice? Very nice!

gene LaFord
2-Apr-2011, 08:47
That is so funky and wild... I love it! :D

gene

PolarBear1973
10-Apr-2011, 07:08
Took a picture of the flatiron building a while back and didn't like the converging lines from tilting the camera up. Built a camera with massive front rise to re-take the picture without tilting at all. Since the film is loaded from the top, I guess it is technically right-shift with a portrait orientation. The bag bellows is just 2 contractor trash bags.

Caltar 90mm lens

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/PolarBear1973/IMG_6260.jpg

Here's the picture I took with it this morning:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/PolarBear1973/FrontRiseFlatironBEST.jpg

Sean Galbraith
10-Apr-2011, 08:08
Impressive!

Jim Fitzgerald
10-Apr-2011, 10:24
I decided this morning to take a group shot of MY three boys. These are my three Walnut ULF cameras. 8x20, 11x14 and the recently finished 14x17. The 14x17 has 9" lens boards and I have a 6" board on there now with my Ilex 375 F-7 that covers this format wide open.

bvaughn4
15-Apr-2011, 19:01
Jim, what a lovely family you have.

John Bowen
16-Apr-2011, 13:18
I have a couple cameras made in Richard Ritter's home, do those count?

Sorry, I couldn't help myself!

Jay DeFehr
16-Apr-2011, 18:22
I Just built a handheld 8x10 portrait camera of foamcore and book binding tape, and made a few, quick test exposures. Unfortunately, I have no fixer, and will have to wait until Monday to process my neg. It was fun to build, and only took a few hours and cost a few bucks. I will add a wire frame finder and a pair of handles, and something more finished for the back, pending the results of my test shots. Here's a pic, though it's not much to look at.

benrains
16-Apr-2011, 20:49
Not mine, but worth sharing- http://carynorton.com/legotron-mark-i

akvamakc
16-Apr-2011, 22:59
See,please my LJ http://akvamakc.livejournal.com/3093.html

jb7
17-Apr-2011, 05:30
More great cameras-
That ultrawide bag camera looks great-
As does that portrait camera Jay-

Piece of string focusing?

I think it might suit a broom handle monopod, rather than handles...
And a wire frame finder could work well too-

PolarBear1973
17-Apr-2011, 05:49
Made a rail camera out of stuff mostly in the garage:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/PolarBear1973/IMG_6262.jpg

It has rise/fall, swing, tilt, etc...

Here's the camera set up for a shot this morning to test it out:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/PolarBear1973/IMG_6265.jpg

Here's the shot:

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll201/PolarBear1973/ApplesOranges.jpg

Here's a video of me making the camera step by step:

http://www.vimeo.com/22496565

It took me about 4 hours total time and cost very little

Jay DeFehr
17-Apr-2011, 18:09
More great cameras-
That ultrawide bag camera looks great-
As does that portrait camera Jay-

Piece of string focusing?

I think it might suit a broom handle monopod, rather than handles...
And a wire frame finder could work well too-

Hi Joseph,

I developed one of two test shots I made yesterday on TXP, and a finder is definitely in order. For the test shots I used a piece of string for focus, but ultimately, I want to use converging light beams from cheapo laser pointers, kind of like the old Focuspot system. The good news is that I can indeed hold the camera for 1/25 second exposures which does indeed allow me to use f/16 which does in turn provide enough dof at 42" subject distance. I'll make a few changes to the foamcore rig before moving on to a prototype, including a wireframe finder, and a proper grip/release, and a neck strap, which would greatly improve the film holder handling. All in all, I think the project is worth pursuing.

Greg Y
18-Apr-2011, 14:43
4x10" Black Walnut box camera w/ dovetail joints. Made by my woodcrafting friend Eric Johnson.This build was inspired by the Baltic Birch models made for Rod Klukas and by Jay Dusard & with which he photographed his book "Open Country. Thanks to Jay & Keith Canham for the phone conversations about dimensions and for the back & other Canham parts...

jnantz
18-Apr-2011, 14:53
mine is a box camera design as well.
it is 4x5 ( and can be upgraded to 5x7 in a heartbeat )
and focuses on ground glass with a movable barrel lens
the paper holders i made myself too, they are single sided.
i have made 3 11x14 box cameras and the film plane moves
not the barrel.

while i could easily just do short term exposures and paper negatives
i usually do long exposures for an ephemeral negative that can't be
fixed but can only scanned once ... before vanishing