No disrespect intended, it's just not for me. I'm sure glad I don't have to try to make a living building cameras. That would take all the fun out of it for sure. I'm a carpenter by trade and use powertools all day and it's finally wrecked the desire to work on my house and fix things up around here. But working in a quiet shop with a sharp handplane is still like meditation.... Meanhwhile, my wife's barn still sits unfinished!
Here is my work in progress. It's eventually going to be a medium format view camera that can use either Mamiya RB or Graflex type 2x3 film backs. This is the front standard, and what will eventually become the rear standard. The box I made for the rear standard should have enough for maybe 2 or 3 cameras... I'm hoping anyway. I did the same with the front and have enough for a number of front standards. It's made from 1/4" thick 1/4 sawn bolivian rosewood that I realize is not a sustainable resource, but I have a very limited supply, and I will only be making 1 to 3 cameras. I also have some Gabon Ebony I am tinkering with as well as regular walnut. The rear standard has 1/4 inch box joints, and the front has 1/8 finger joints. I apologize for the poor quality of the digital capture, it's what I can usually expect from digital :-)
I hope to post updates as things progress.
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Thanks for all the ideas this thread has given me. I know they are rough and ready but I am really into getting out there and making photographs. This is the best way for me to try larger formats without braking the student bank..I am hooked. My next camera will be either a 8x10 Century Universal Lookalike or a 7x17 Tailboard camera probably both.
My first 8x10 made with G-Claron 210mm F32 1 sec ERA 100 ISO film HC110 Dil B the scanner could not handle highlights.
Here's my 8x20 made from (2) Kodak D2's. One was an incomplete basket case. The other was in need of serious restoration.
I made a crate to haul it around in as well. It can hold (3) filmholders, extension rail, camera, extra lens(es) and a darkcloth and meter.
I made a strut to be part of the original tripod adapter. The strut keeps the base and the extension rail and front rail in a plane. No sagging. Important to me as a I have a 600mm Apo Ronar waiting to be adapted to a shutter.
Here's also a side view showing the complete assemble. You can see my cylindrical bellows support. It rolls as you focus in/out.
The back is really all I made. It's from Cuban Mahogany finished with tung oil.
The GG protector attachment point were built into the back.
The underside shots show the construction. All the D2 movements are preserved.
This outing was a trial run. I didn't even have 8x20 film, so I butted together (2) 8x10 sheets in the holders.
John
Last edited by John Jarosz; 10-22-2008 at 08:16 PM.
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John, I love the fact that you took a great camera set up and made an 8x20 out of it. Congratulations on figuring this out. The work looks very well done. I like what you did with the back of the camera. Isn't it fun to build the back? I know mine took quite a while. How long did it take you to build this beauty? I see that the back standard slides on the track instead of running on the gears. Did you build the bellows or have them made for you? Excellent work! Now get some 8x20 film and have fun!
John, very nice job! Great idea on making the camera secure at extension.Looks rock solid. It looks to me like the back will focus by friction instead of gears? Did you make your own bellows? It is great to see a couple of great cameras re-born as 8x20's.
Sorry for the double post but the first one did not show up for some reason. Anyhow, a camera as nice as this deserves a double post.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Fitzgerald; 09-01-2008 at 10:44 PM.
Reason: why not!
Here is my work in progress. It's eventually going to be a medium format view camera that can use either Mamiya RB or Graflex type 2x3 film backs.
This is interesting as I have some RB 67 backs. I would like to try this.
Do you have any plans you could share or is it a 'work it out as you build it' type of project?
Looking at this thread again has made me realise that the last time I did anything on my current 5x4 camera build was November last year. It's goung to be November again soon!
No, front & back focus is all done thru the gear tracks. All adjustments and controls are identical in operation to a Kodak 2D. The bellows was bought from ebay. I've been collecting parts for about 2 years. Once I got the film holders (S&S - used) this summer I started the construction. Took about a month in my spare time.
Steve, it is a figure it out as I go type project unfortunately. I will send out plans afterwards, but at the rate this is going.... Won't be for a wh
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Smith
This is interesting as I have some RB ile as I have made no prgress other than what you see in the photos. I do have a ground glass now and will figure on the design of the back as first order of duty as it is the most challenging aspect for me.
67 backs. I would like to try this.
Do you have any plans you could share or is it a 'work it out as you build it' type of project?
Looking at this thread again has made me realise that the last time I did anything on my current 5x4 camera build was November last year. It's goung to be November again soon!
Steve.
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Please check out my APUG Portfolio .....
Arguing with an engineer is futile, It's like wrestling with a pig in mud. Eventually, you realize the pig actually enjoys it!
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