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Aletta 4x5 It's done.

Eric Mac

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After about 8 months, I finally completed the 4x5 Aletta camera. Most of it was built from the plans with the exception of the bellows. I also scavenged a grafloc back as the gorundglass/ holder tolerances didn't seem within my woodworking ability.

http://www.paw.emah.tommyclassic.com/display.php?year=2004&pic=52

The bellows was purchased from the designer (who seems to have disappeared). It was not light tight, so I coated it with a black fabric paint. Not sure if this the permanent fix, but only time will tell. The instructions were fairly clear and accurate, I did find one or two dimensional errors.

I haven't tried it out as we are expecting a foot of snow this week. I'll post some pictures as soon as I try it out.

Eric
 

David A. Goldfarb

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Congrats! It looks like a working camera.
 

BradS

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Good work! My hat's off to you.
 

rbarker

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Congratulations, Eric, and welcome to the LF world.
 

GreyWolf

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Well done Eric Mac !!!

A real nice piece of handiwork. Congratulations for the fine finish.

Kind Regards,
 

dylder

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Looks good. Have you used it yet? Any pictures to show?

I built mine from plans about a year ago. I made some changes, but I'm more of a woodworker than a photographer. I used Purpleheart for the wood.

d wilder
 

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Richard Wasserman

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Eric,
Congratulations on finishing the camera, it looks great. I'm impressed that you stuck with it over such a long gestation period. Now if the sun will only stay out for more than a few minutes....
 

mark

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Seems that Aletta went out of business. their ID has benn removed from ebay and everything. Too bad. Supposedly they owed people replacement bellows when they up and disappeared.

P.S. congrats on building the camera. Looks mighty functional and sturdy.

That purple heart one is pretty too.
 

John Bartley

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dylder said:
I made some changes, but I'm more of a woodworker than a photographer.

Oooohh - box corners... I go weak in the knees for box corners...

Nice work !!

cheers
 

jmcclure

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Wouter from Brazil said:
Eric, where did you find the plans ?
Plans can be found at Dead Link Removed
This site has a large section on building your own camera.


Jim McClure