The Walnut 11x14 is done!!!!

[larsco2002]

I'd seriously love to build one, but I'd need someone with the woodworking skills to help me. It really is such a neat project. Can't wait to see prints.

I had a Bender 4X5 kit, which was actually quite usable. The woodworking part is pretty much done when you get the kit, insofar as cutting pieces to size. You must do the sanding, gluing, attaching screws, etc. The nice thing about the Bender kit (and they have 8X10) is that building one of them may prime you for a scratch built camera. That's if you find out the woodworking is easier than you think it might be.

There have been some threads on APUG for Bender, so maybe a search.

Also, there is another precut kit that is more of a flatbed 4X5, but I can't think of the name right now.

Here is a link to Bender.

http://www.bender.com

Oh yes, found the other camera... a Bulldog 4X5. Not very pretty, but precut and you assemble. Here is an article on the Bulldog.

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Bu...ssembly-camera

And before I close, That Walnut camera from the OP is great... Very nice looking and looks like one of the dreadnaughts of LF cameras. I can hardly imagine contact printing something that I can just frame and hang right from the neg.

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Thanks, for the nice comment on my 11x14. Going to load up some holders with the FP-4 I have and take her out tomorrow. I have some 11x14 Azo to contact print on. Can't wait!

Jim

[Curt]

Jim, you did a great job making the camera, having made a 4x5 Wista type I know how must work goes into each part. You have to design it first but bringing the design to reality is no easy task. To get the right function with a fine fit and finish might look easy to someone looking at the photos but making each part work together and finishing it as a product of your imagination, from concept to completion, is the ultimate creation.

Curt

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Curt, thanks. You are right. I learned something with this camera also. The fit is not exact but it works fine I now know the critical parts that need precision tooling. If I replace my 8x10 with my own camera I know exactly what to do. Thanks.

JIm

[nsurit]

A beautiful camera! An inspiring project! Thanks for sharing your handy work. My wife gets worried when I get inspired. Oh, well . . . Bill Barber

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Bill, took it out today and shot two sheets of film. I found out what adjustments I need to make. I now can fine tune her. Going into the darkroom to develop the first negs.

Jim

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Here are some pic's of the camera in action and raked out to 36". It seems steady at full extension.

Jim

[Curt]

Which beach did you go to? It looks like a nice Summer day down there, here we had a record late in the year show fall. Even the squirrels stayed in.

Curt

[Jim Fitzgerald]

Curt, this was on Highway 1 just south of Magu rock between Malibu and Pt. Huenueme. I got down there about 7:30 AM and was done by 9:30 Am. The wind got ugly about 2 hours after I was done. I find that the 11x14 takes longer to set up than my 8x20. It is a little harder to get it on the tripod. I am now amazed at how fast I can set up my 8x10!

Jim