Building a REALLY large format camera.

[mynewromantica]

The other day I came across a video of John Coffer. I want to make a camera now. I am pretty sure he didn't just buy his. He uses a 20x24 view camera on a cart. I want to make something like an 8x10 or something around that size, but i don't want to buy it. It will mainly be used for alternative processes like tintypes and dags.
Does anyone know of a website or book that will outline the basics of making a camera like that and possible making plate carriers too.

Thanks

[BarryS]

I've seen a book, How To Make A Wet-Plate Camera, by Otto Dippold on eBay. That might be a good start. I bought a plate vise from him and it works as advertised. If you're going to be building a camera for wet plate or dags, it's going to have different requirements than a camera for film. For starters, I'd make sure you have a very solid front frame/standard that accepts a large (7"+) lens board. The kind of lenses you'll want for 8x10 plates are big.

[Michael Roberts]

Here's a link to a thread and pics of an 11x14 camera I built

http://www.largeformatphotography.in...ad.php?t=47057

I've almost finished a 12x20 expansion back.

I've thought about 20x24 using the same design and materials.

The two things you need are a 20x24 bellows (assuming you don't want to make your own), and a 20x24 film holder to build the back around. The latter you can get from S&S Filmholders.

Bellows this size sometimes come up on ebay. Or you can order one from http://www.custombellows.co.uk/ in England.

There are lots of other threads here with self-built cameras; not too many 20x24 though....

[Jason Greenberg Motamedi]

He did just buy it. Or rather he paid Ray Morgenweck to make it for him.

The other day I came across a video of John Coffer. I want to make a camera now. I am pretty sure he didn't just buy his. He uses a 20x24 view camera on a cart. I want to make something like an 8x10 or something around that size, but i don't want to buy it. It will mainly be used for alternative processes like tintypes and dags.
Does anyone know of a website or book that will outline the basics of making a camera like that and possible making plate carriers too.

Thanks

[Bruce Barlow]

Richard Ritter is currently making a 20x24 that will have interchangeable rail systems - one with 60" of extension for field work, and, I think, 90" for studio work. I've seen the pieces. It's pretty amazing.

[ic-racer]

If you want 8x10 then you can go a number of ways. You can get plans off the internet (I have seen the sites but don't have the links), you can get a Bender kit, you can get a cheapie camera (B&J, Kodak or Century) and fix or modify the back to accept plates as needed.

The market value of folding 8x10 cameras is better than studio cameras. So monorails and old wood cameras on wheels can be found for the price of a new bellows for your home-made camera.

If you are making your own bellows, then you will be at a considerable cost advantage building from scratch.

[ic-racer]

He did just buy it. Or rather he paid Ray Morgenweck to make it for him.

Yes: http://www.starcameracompany.com/index2.htm

[ki6mf]

And there are a few guys who build really really really large, bigger than ULF 20X24 cameras into a trailers or trucks! Press John Chiara http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xYWehyfFcM

[dsphotog]

Check with print shops,or newspapers for old, unused process cameras.

[bobwysiwyg]

Re: John Coffer link. Thanks for posting, just amazing to me!

I guess I better stop complaining about lugging a monorail around.