Thanks, Jim. That's my understanding as well. Sorry if I wasn't clear in my earlier post.
FWIW, I'm back in Utah again this week, doing more field testing on the camera...and dodging the 28" of...
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Thanks, Jim. That's my understanding as well. Sorry if I wasn't clear in my earlier post.
FWIW, I'm back in Utah again this week, doing more field testing on the camera...and dodging the 28" of...
Thanks TB! Yes, there are so many fantastic locations within a relatively close area around Moab. It makes for a fun couple of days moving around as the light changes. As is often the case there, the...
Some photos from my field test of the 5x8 last week. These are just quickie cell phone pics of the slide film (Provia) on my lightbox, taken through the glassine envelopes, so they are not as sharp...
Thanks, MK!
I finally got started on the 4x5RB GG frame today. I chopped and glued the first two layers together. Getting the outside dimensions was easy; the width is the same as the 4x5 film...
Yes, so far it is working well for me. I hadn't thought about lens boards. I'd like to see how it cuts 1/8" plywood. Good idea!
The one I have is this one:...
I got the 4x5 reducing back painted--both the back and film holder surround--with two coats of flat black. Looks much better!
The 4x5RB is coming along. I used scrap mahogany and basswood pieces from earlier projects. That's why the base layer is pieced together.
After completing the minor repairs/improvements, I started working on a 4x5 reducing back.
My Honey gave me a miniature table saw for Valentine's. It works well for small jobs like this reducing...
I took the camera out for a field test a week and a half ago and came home with a short list of minor issues. The #2 1/4" screw holding the right angle stud to the keeper rail pulled loose, so I...
Good question, Steve!
I did not have any problem with the base panel staying flat with the 7x11 or with my 5x8 build. I glued the panels one day, let the glue dry overnight, and began coating with...
Possibly, but I think you will need to make a jig to cut film with just a straight edge in the dark.
I typically load each film separately in a dip and dunk. But no, I don't feel any different in the cut edge versus the originally cut edges. I use a Rotatrim to cut the film, and it seems to do a...
Visiting some old friends...
and field testing a new one.
Two more....
First shows how the front standard now fits nicely within the rail when folded down.
Second shows the camera all finished and ready for its close-up.
With my 7x11 camera, I...
Here are a few pictures to show the final touches. Hopefully, my next post will show this camera in the field in Canyonlands!
First picture shows where I pulled the unnecessary second lock and...
Thanks, Gord! Thanks, John! I very much appreciate your feedback. John, yes, break out the tools and get to work, then post your work and keep the inspiration going!
Today, I applied finish coats to the inside of the rail that I routed out, the spring anchors, the hinge support pieces on the rear of the base, and the rear frame anchors. I also sanded down and...
Thanks Robert! I appreciate your feedback, and I'm happy this information has been helpful. I have benefited enormously from my participation in this forum. People here are great about sharing their...
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your questions! Here goes:
1. Yes, the brass strip is only on one side and yes, it has always been sufficient. There's no reason you couldn't put another on the left side if...
I've still got a few items on my punch list--finish coat the wooden spring anchors, the rear frame bracket anchors as well as the new little pieces I added to the back of the base, and the inside of...
For some reason, I found it hard to stop snapping photos of this (almost) finished camera...so bear with me.
Voila! The camera now closes!
These pics show how the front standard now fits comfortably inside the rail.
I worked this morning to install the rear frame braces and rivets. I found I had set the plywood pieces of the anchors a little bit lower this time, so I had to use the tin snips to trim away some of...
I reset the plywood pieces of the rear bracket anchors further back. I also glued in additional 1/4 mahogany pieces 3/4" x 1/2" against the rear wall of the base so I can switch out the screws in the...
Good to know! Thanks!
John, how do you process your 5x8 film?
By the way, there is a reason I have not yet posted a picture of the camera when closed. Well, three reasons, actually.
I need to add a pin and retaining clip. That's the easy part.
The hard...
20 1/2" of bellows, equivalent to 25.5” on 8x10, and I think there is more to be had if I make a longer extension rail.
This has been a long time coming, and it feels good to see it come together, literally.
Thanks for all the views and to those of you who have commented.
I still have some adjustments to make, but I got everything assembled this afternoon!
Bellows installed, rear brackets installed, hinges, and front standard.
Holy Grail, I get it.
Gee you must be serious about dropping some acid!
Be safe and let us know how it goes!
Springs are on!
I still need to finish-coat the mahogany spring anchors. The wooden anchors look dull b/c they are.
That is a super cool camera, John! And 11 holders and the lenses you have are an abundance of riches! I hope you are still enjoying the heck out of that kit!
Plus, I assume you still have the...
Here is the response from Matt:
"Thanks for the message. The battery readout is a little fiddly and I'm trying to improve it through the software, because it doesn't represent the battery...
These are the two brass feeler gauges from McMaster-Carr, 10' x 0.025 and 0.032, respectively.
So far, I have cut mahogany anchors for the GG springs; cut, filed and drilled eight brass GG clips;...
Time to update a couple of items:
First, the acrylic "ground glass," actually not ground glass, but acrylic covered in frosted window film.
I get the film from Home Depot. It is Gila Frosted...
I just got one of these last week and have been comparing it to my Honeywell-Pentax analog 1 degree spot meter. I've made about a dozen comparisons with three to five different metered areas each...
Hi Robert,
I had nearly the same problem some 15 or so years ago. I bought an 11x14 Empire State that had the front rail, but no back rail. I found a local woodworking shop and found some old,...
Sorry, I haven't tried etching, but the consensus in this thread among those who have tried it seems to be that grinding works better than etching:...