Show off your ULF camera

[coisasdavida]

Saw your blog; impressive job making the bellows!
What material did you use?

inner layer was a man's shirt black cotton
180gsm paper for structure
outer layer was rubberized nylon for backpack making

in the end I wish I had used a stiffer paper, maybe heavier
the bellows was so tapered that it folds very nicely, if it were a straight bellows it would not compress well

[AlexGard]

Family photo of my cameras before the little 8x10 Tachihara gets sent off to begin her new life in the UK.

Tachihara 8x10, Korona 12x20 and Chamonix 11x14

Just received the Korona today. Hopefully will have the materials all ready by this weekend to go out and start making some photos with it.

[RichardRitter]

The camera is a custom built 11 x 14 for a Boston based photographer that wanted a camera he could take on his bike.
It weighs 8 pounds
Has 24 inches of bellow.

[Steven Tribe]

I have seem to have been unusually lucky in connection with my ULF purchases, both metric and Imperial!

I got hold of a 15x12" Lizars camera in fine condition a few years ago with two OK plate holders. A very reasonable price.
I don't think I have posted this camera, but will do.

Anyway, there was an auction a few weeks ago (very little photographic) with three plates holders - the usual book type with brass catches. These were described as 16x12". I was quite sure these must be 15x12, as it is hard to measure the length because of the extra wood around the handle end. Included was the leather/card/felt-lined case for these holder.

There was a worn lettering on the case saying:

Robinson

Photographers

Dublin

In addition, there was a smaller text under "photographers" reading "& Son".

Robinson was one of Dublin's premier Studio and General Photographers, who was later also active in London.

The 3 plate holder are, indeed, superb quality 15x12" holders. They fit perfectly on the Lizars Camera. The worn leather case, which I almost asked not to sent - postage cost - just need repairs with thread to the stitching. The case is wide enough to accept the camera as well.

[Carl J]

The camera is a custom built 11 x 14 for a Boston based photographer that wanted a camera he could take on his bike.
It weighs 8 pounds
Has 24 inches of bellow.

Wow, that's down from 13 lbs. for the standard model and, I'm guessing, with the shorter rails still acceptably rigid (I hope). Were there other changes to help achieve the low weight?

[Dave Wooten]

Nice

[John Layton]

Richard...WOW!! Especially since it looks from the photo that it still has a horizontal/vertical back? Even if not...very cool!

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Many years ago I had someone on this forum tell me I could not build a camera without a shop full of tools. Well, my first camera was built with a few hand tools. It is my 8x20. Over the years it has served me well. I decided to rebuild her to give her more stability. I finished up tonight. The camera weights 15lbs. and I've got 30" of extension. Now my go to lens is my 360mm Gerogon and I've got lenses that can take me to 24" so I'm good. The last image is of the original camera which was designed after a Korona/Kodak 2D.

[Robert Brazile]

Beautiful, Jim. What are the rear struts: anodized aluminum? As for the brass bits: did you scavenge 2D parts, or duplicate them?

Robert

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Beautiful, Jim. What are the rear struts: anodized aluminum? As for the brass bits: did you scavenge 2D parts, or duplicate them?

Robert

Robert, the rear struts and hinges are from Chamonix camera as is the focusing screw. Anodized aluminum. I kept some of the brass hardware from the original build which was from a Kodak 2D. I had to duplicate some as well. Sentimental I guess.