jb7
22-Jun-2011, 14:12
With my name on it? A camera called Burns? Specifically, a Burns 1117 ?
I've been busy designing some new cameras, and I'm just about to build a prototype, and begin testing. There are a couple of features that distinguish these from other cameras, most notably, the film holder, which will be a re-usable packet. While the camera itself might not be the lightest ULF Camera ever built (I've decided that it should take a 9" lens board, and that it should be able to take some quite large lenses) it should be the lightest ULF System available- the system being the camera, film holders, and support. It should be possible to go into the field with many more loaded holders than can be carried now.
One other consequence of this packet loading system will be the ability to accommodate multiple formats, without the need for additional adapter backs.
The first camera, the prototype, will take 11x14 and 7x17. (and 8x10, since I want to be able to shoot a little colour)
The camera will be convertible, in that, the back and the bellows should be removable, and can then be rotated through 90º to allow for portrait or landscape shooting. That the rear standard does not need to be square, to accommodate a convertible back, means that the overall size of the back should be quite similar in area to a standard 11x14 back. But longer.
There will be at least one other ULF camera, which will be built to take 14x17, 12x20, and 8x20. And anything else up to those sizes. A Burns 1420. (The numbering convention, the short side of the square format, the long side of the long format- but you spotted that already... And the name? well, that would appear to be another convention, with some notable exceptions.) Of course, a 1620 would work too...
I've invested quite a bit of time in the design of this system- and I've been reluctant to begin building until I had everything ready to go.
Unfortunately, time is running out rapidly, since I have a self imposed deadline coming up in just over a month. If I don't hit that target, the prototype, and testing will be put back by several months. Unfortunately. There could be some embarrassment here soon...
This camera will be a professional model- I know the photographers who belong to this community are not afraid to pull their punches when it comes to product reviews- and this camera will have to be able to stand with the best cameras available- both currently available models, and those from way back. The quest for a light weight system will inevitably lead to compromises- it might be marginally slower to load, for example, compared to a standard film holder- and for some, that will be a deal breaker. For others, the ability to carry more film might make it worthwhile.
It's my job to make it work- efficiently, reliably, satisfyingly- and also to make it a desirable object, so that everyone will be falling over themselves to snap up the few that will be produced… Materials will be a combination of timber, Aluminium, and composite materials, and it will be made using a mixture of hand crafting, and computer controlled construction.
Pricing is tricky, but a system should be comparable in price to a similar sized new camera available today. Since film holders will only fit this camera, a camera will have to be sold with the holders.The film holders should be cheaper than currently available used film holders of the same size.
I really have no choice, I've come this far, I have to make it, and test it. If there is any demand, I'll batch produce them. So watch this space- although from now on, I won't be around here that much to answer questions. In about a month's time, I should be able to tell whether I'll be hitting my deadline- Or not...
So the question is- since a camera like this doesn't currently exist, might there be demand for it? Without building it, I'll never know if, as promised, they will come…
Thanks for reading. I would appreciate your thoughts on this, although I can't get involved too much in the conversation myself right now, there's too much work to do…
Hopefully, this statement of intent won't come back to bite me, but the project is quite ambitious...
joseph
____________________
I've been busy designing some new cameras, and I'm just about to build a prototype, and begin testing. There are a couple of features that distinguish these from other cameras, most notably, the film holder, which will be a re-usable packet. While the camera itself might not be the lightest ULF Camera ever built (I've decided that it should take a 9" lens board, and that it should be able to take some quite large lenses) it should be the lightest ULF System available- the system being the camera, film holders, and support. It should be possible to go into the field with many more loaded holders than can be carried now.
One other consequence of this packet loading system will be the ability to accommodate multiple formats, without the need for additional adapter backs.
The first camera, the prototype, will take 11x14 and 7x17. (and 8x10, since I want to be able to shoot a little colour)
The camera will be convertible, in that, the back and the bellows should be removable, and can then be rotated through 90º to allow for portrait or landscape shooting. That the rear standard does not need to be square, to accommodate a convertible back, means that the overall size of the back should be quite similar in area to a standard 11x14 back. But longer.
There will be at least one other ULF camera, which will be built to take 14x17, 12x20, and 8x20. And anything else up to those sizes. A Burns 1420. (The numbering convention, the short side of the square format, the long side of the long format- but you spotted that already... And the name? well, that would appear to be another convention, with some notable exceptions.) Of course, a 1620 would work too...
I've invested quite a bit of time in the design of this system- and I've been reluctant to begin building until I had everything ready to go.
Unfortunately, time is running out rapidly, since I have a self imposed deadline coming up in just over a month. If I don't hit that target, the prototype, and testing will be put back by several months. Unfortunately. There could be some embarrassment here soon...
This camera will be a professional model- I know the photographers who belong to this community are not afraid to pull their punches when it comes to product reviews- and this camera will have to be able to stand with the best cameras available- both currently available models, and those from way back. The quest for a light weight system will inevitably lead to compromises- it might be marginally slower to load, for example, compared to a standard film holder- and for some, that will be a deal breaker. For others, the ability to carry more film might make it worthwhile.
It's my job to make it work- efficiently, reliably, satisfyingly- and also to make it a desirable object, so that everyone will be falling over themselves to snap up the few that will be produced… Materials will be a combination of timber, Aluminium, and composite materials, and it will be made using a mixture of hand crafting, and computer controlled construction.
Pricing is tricky, but a system should be comparable in price to a similar sized new camera available today. Since film holders will only fit this camera, a camera will have to be sold with the holders.The film holders should be cheaper than currently available used film holders of the same size.
I really have no choice, I've come this far, I have to make it, and test it. If there is any demand, I'll batch produce them. So watch this space- although from now on, I won't be around here that much to answer questions. In about a month's time, I should be able to tell whether I'll be hitting my deadline- Or not...
So the question is- since a camera like this doesn't currently exist, might there be demand for it? Without building it, I'll never know if, as promised, they will come…
Thanks for reading. I would appreciate your thoughts on this, although I can't get involved too much in the conversation myself right now, there's too much work to do…
Hopefully, this statement of intent won't come back to bite me, but the project is quite ambitious...
joseph
____________________