Page 1 of 7 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 61

Thread: How to get into ULF?

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1

    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Posts
    6

    How to get into ULF?

    I'm looking to try and get into ULF, but don't have a lot of film camera experience. I'm pretty good at fabrication and have access to laser cutter, milling machine, and 3d printers.
    Is building my own camera a practical idea, and if so how much can I expect to spend?

  2. #2

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dpatt711 View Post
    I'm looking to try and get into ULF, but don't have a lot of film camera experience. I'm pretty good at fabrication and have access to laser cutter, milling machine, and 3d printers.
    Is building my own camera a practical idea, and if so how much can I expect to spend?
    Talk to Jim Fitzgerald on this forum. Jim has extensive experience in this regard having built several cameras for himself. He can surely get you in the right zip code on such a project. ULF throws a wide net so it would be a good idea to narrow your interest down to a particular format in this arena and if you want to venture into one of the panaromic formats or the rectangular formats. Good Luck!

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Posts
    6

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Kadillak View Post
    Talk to Jim Fitzgerald on this forum. Jim has extensive experience in this regard having built several cameras for himself. He can surely get you in the right zip code on such a project. ULF throws a wide net so it would be a good idea to narrow your interest down to a particular format in this arena and if you want to venture into one of the panaromic formats or the rectangular formats. Good Luck!
    Okay I'll give him a shout.

  4. #4
    Foamer
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    South Dakota
    Posts
    2,430

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    It would be cheaper to build ULF and shoot wet plate rather than film.


    Kent in SD
    In contento ed allegria
    Notte e di vogliam passar!

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Oxfordshire UK
    Posts
    1,090

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    Quote Originally Posted by Two23 View Post
    It would be cheaper to build ULF and shoot wet plate rather than film.


    Kent in SD
    Definitely, not to mention the unique 'one of a kind' result

    Andrew

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Bellingham, WA (displaced Canadian)
    Posts
    518

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    I built my 11x14 camera for ~$500 and then another 250 for a couple film holders. It was two year and an absurd amount of trail and error. There was probably an extra $100 in there of stuff that I thought I'd use and then didn't, because, again, trail and error.

    Cherry wood for both standards & long arca-swiss plates for focusing rails and front & rear shift and a arca-swiss clamp pan head on the front standard for swing.

    But I did it all with a box saw, a drill, and a detail sander, and I'm not good at fabrication.

  7. #7
    Angus Parker angusparker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    San Francisco, USA
    Posts
    936

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    The problem in ULF is the film holders. Always buy a camera with holders, they are almost always non-standard. The cheapest option is a 7x17 banquet camera.

    If you are building a camera I would also start with a holder on hand for the format you want. Also consider the availability of film, unless you are doing wet plate.

    Some info here for those on the search for best ULF format: https://www.angusparkerphoto.com/blo...format-for-you

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Oxfordshire UK
    Posts
    1,090

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    Quote Originally Posted by angusparker View Post
    The problem in ULF is the film holders. Always buy a camera with holders, they are almost always non-standard. The cheapest option is a 7x17 banquet camera.

    If you are building a camera I would also start with a holder on hand for the format you want. Also consider the availability of film, unless you are doing wet plate.

    Some info here for those on the search for best ULF format: https://www.angusparkerphoto.com/blo...format-for-you

    Very sound advice Angus - the devil is in the holders and go from there

    regards

    Andrew

  9. #9
    LF/ULF Carbon Printer Jim Fitzgerald's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Vancouver Washington
    Posts
    3,927

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dpatt711 View Post
    I'm looking to try and get into ULF, but don't have a lot of film camera experience. I'm pretty good at fabrication and have access to laser cutter, milling machine, and 3d printers.
    Is building my own camera a practical idea, and if so how much can I expect to spend?
    Building a ULF camera is possible with the tools you have available that is for sure. You need to decide on which size you wish to build and then find a design you like. I do not use any plans so don't ask for plans from me but rather I study a camera design and build from the pictures I have of it. For my recent 14x17 I think I spent just under $1,000. Now I have connections for some of the difficult parts and have a full woodshed and I'm a decent woodworker.
    You need to get the film holder first and work from there. There is so much information on this site and on the web as well. Do your research! That is what I did for each build. It will make you a better builder as there are no shortcuts. I've built nine cameras and seven of them are ULF so research is key. Purpose build it. By this I mean don't put a huge bellows on the camera unless you intend to do still life close ups. Will it be in the studio or the field?
    For bellows, Custom Bellows in England is the place to go. By all means have fun as you go.
    Now if you wish I have a 14x17 which can with a back built for it do 16x20 as well available. It comes with the backpack, two S&S film holders, a 25 sheet box of J&C 200 or Bergger 200 I can't remember, a 24 inch Artar on a 9 inch lens board, a complete system for $3,000.00 plus shipping. You will not find a better deal anywhere on a system like this. You can shoot 14x17 X-ray film as well.Just supply the tripod and you are shooting ULF. It is built from extruded 80/20 aluminum with a Walnut veneer. If you are interested pm me. Best of luck. BTW the camera I'm showing here is my new 14x17 and NOT the one for sale.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails fullsizeoutput_3cf0.jpg   fullsizeoutput_3ce4.jpg   fullsizeoutput_3d03.jpg   fullsizeoutput_3cec.jpg  

  10. #10
    Tin Can's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Posts
    22,319

    Re: How to get into ULF?

    No critters were injured or killed in this thread

    Many ways to skin a cat
    Tin Can

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •