Building a 120 rollfilm 6x8 or 6x9 view camera

[Monito]

I've been vaguely thinking of building a 4x5 view camera for some time, but since I don't have a 4x5 enlarger but I do have a B23C II capable up to 6x9, I just began to wonder about building a 6x8 or 6x9 view camera.

I'm very handy with my hands but I have no experience building anything beyond a pinhole camera (which worked nicely). I would like to design one with full back movements in a package suitable for field use, yaw-free if I can make it (but probably not). I've not seen or held a Shen-Hao, but if I were to buy 4x5 I think that would be my pick; thus I'm tempted to use that as the model. I don't think they are yaw-free but they do have back movements and are field cameras.

I have two basic questions at this point:

1) What 6x8 / 6x9 120 roll film backs would be best to fit to such a camera? I'm thinking the parameters would be ease of building a mating part and ease of use (putting on/off, winding film, dark slide).

2) Materials: I can do very fine work with wood, but I anticipate that a number of parts would best be in metal. I think that I could handle fabricating some small metal parts.

Thoughts? Or is this a fool's errand and I should just save up for a nice Shen-Hao and patiently wait for a used 4x5 enlarger to pop up at a price I can afford (not many available in this area)?

 

[Jerevan]

I am guessing you have a few long cold winter nights to spend up north ahead of you, right?

Have a look around at this page, there are some drawings and example of various LF cameras here:
Dead Link Removed

Maybe that'll help a bit along the way to figure out if it is worth the effort.

 

[domaz]

IMO the easiest and cheapest back would be a 2x3 Graflex Spring Back (not a Graflok). Then use a 620 Adapt-a-roll holder (with 120 film) with the Spring back. I like the Adapt-a-roll better than the Graflok roll backs because it's easier and quick to swap between Ground glass focusing and the roll film holder unlike a Graflok. Not to mention 2x3 Spring backs are dirt cheap because everyone wants to replace them with Grafloks.

 

[ic-racer]

Build the 4x5" and us a 6x9cm back. Bender kit is $329 but I don't know if the site is still active. You should be able to pick up a used 4x5 monorail for $100.

 

[Monito]

Thank you, Jerevan. That link was a very fruitful source of ideas and experience and information. Thanks too, ic-racer, domaz.

I have an interest (unexplored) in making portraits on 6x8 sized B&W negative, and stereo 3D photography. I'm thinking about the possibilities of building a pair of little view cameras (one at a time!) to use side by side for stereo. Lots of constraints, too many, so I'll have to scale back, perhaps on some movements, especially if I want them to fit closely together for stereo.

Still wondering about the rollfilm back. Beginning to wonder if I should build my own back.

 

[Rick A]

Mebbeyaorta(Texasism) consider building the 4x5 for the future, and in the meantime use a rollfilm back for 6x7 or larger on it until you get the 4x5 enlarger. Building your own camera is a great way to pass time and kick the boredom of those long cold nights.

 

[vpwphoto]

Always thought an acra-swiss 6x9 view was cool.
Get a baby graphic... I build a sailboat... sometime wish I had just bought one and saved myself from all the cuts and bruises and epoxy stuck in my hair.

 

[davido]

primitive photography book

I recently purchased a book called Primitive Photography by Alan Greene . It lays out plans for not only building your own camera but lenses and backs as well. These are quite basic box cameras (circa 1850's) with very little movements. It's quite a good book.

david

 

[Smudger]

Before you consider building a rollfilm back, look carefully at the Mamiya Press R/F backs. They come in 6x7 & 6x9 on 120 formats -possibly 6x6 (?), are fairly common,and adapter plates are available - making it easy to interchange them in use.
Also a sound design, with good film flatness - which can't be said of some of the raggy old Graflex designs.
And, with the accessory ground glass back, you have the entire back end sorted.