Lightweight Multi-Format Camera

[Axelwik]

Almost finished with this little guy. No movements - kind of a 4x5 SWC. Built it around a Fujinon SW 75mm f/8 lens and a nice little Sinar Graflok back. Scale focus from about 2 ft to infinity using a helicoid. Will also use it with 6x12 and 6x7 roll film backs. Switching between 4x5 and 6x7 gives wide and normal perspectives with only one lens. I tend to print big when going wide and smaller when not so wide, so 6x7 shouldn't be a drawback in terms of image quality.

Calibrated infinity focus yesterday. Left to do: make a distance scale for the helicoid using a tape measure and ground glass, make viewfinder masks for 6x7 and 6x12, and go shoot!

I plan to use it when going lightweight such as hiking and backpacking, or any time the 5x7 outfit is just too heavy.

[Peter De Smidt]

Nice! What helical did you use?

[Axelwik]

Nice! What helical did you use?

It was from a Chinese eBay seller. Don't remember which one.

[Jac@stafford.net]

You are certainly a person of my own heart. Thanks for showing your work, and very best of luck. I have a few builds of similar goals.
--
Jac

[Axelwik]

You are certainly a person of my own heart. Thanks for showing your work, and very best of luck. I have a few builds of similar goals.
--
Jac

Thanks; I'm looking forward to using it.

[Havoc]

Wow, nice camera. Looking forward to see some results.

I'm interested in where you found the viewfinder for my own build. Right now I started machining something but this is becoming more complicated that the rest of the camera.

[jp]

Love that thin gray stain.. I did something like for my work desk; applying a coat of gray, letting it sit for a short time and wiping up the excess, dry and repeat. The did a coat of poly.
Nice job

[Axelwik]

Wow, nice camera. Looking forward to see some results.

I'm interested in where you found the viewfinder for my own build. Right now I started machining something but this is becoming more complicated that the rest of the camera.

It's the viewfinder from a Graflex XLSW super wide medium format camera. It was designed for the 47mm lens, 6x9 or 6x7 format.

[Axelwik]

Love that thin gray stain.. I did something like for my work desk; applying a coat of gray, letting it sit for a short time and wiping up the excess, dry and repeat. The did a coat of poly.
Nice job

Thanks. The color is called "Carbon Gray" from Varathane - put it on and almost immediately rubbed off the excess with a clean rag. Used their satin polyurethane spray to cover it. I give my frames the same treatment.

[Axelwik]

4x5 test run from the Grafmatic back. Bad iPhone image of a proof, but I'm very pleased. The negatives are very sharp under the loupe.