Experimental (Trialing) Camera Stand

[jjstafford]

RE: two-short cameras into one - this might relate to trialing big lenses, etc.. It allows the mount of many kinds of cameras to an oversized, heavy lens. You can center the lens using the sliding platform on the left. The bottom black rail can be moved back and forth to balance the unit on the tripod, and of course the same can be done with the mounted camera. (not shown: another taller left platform and a Bogen strap that can be added to the lens mount.)

Some might recall seeing this as an item on that auction site identified as "bunch of stuff", "don't know what it is". Other goodies irrelevant to picture making were included.

It is all steel, but maybe this will help those who might want to copy it in wood.

 

[Dan Fromm]

You have an evil mind, John. That looks entirely too much like a real camera.

One suggestion. The cradle that supports the lens looks like it was made to fit the lens shown. A cradle with a flat top, not with a cut-out concave upwards, would give more flexibility. I mean, the lens' barrel won't crumple if supported at one point.

And one question. Do you have a generic device to hold a lens in front of a shutter or is the one shown specific to the lens shown? I've been sketching designs for a generic lens holder, haven't come up with anything yet that's worth moving from sketch to wood and metal.


Cheers,

 

[jjstafford]

Aw, Dan, you know it is a real camera. (He's needling me, folks.) However, that big lens finally did become too much for the weak Sinar board's holding tabs. Still noodling out that problem, but not doing much because I've designed a new body.

The black piece holding the lens is something I made of wood for this particular lens, Dan, because I needed the support farther back than the platform went. The block has a 1/4" tripod fitting on the bottom. Underneath that is the platform with a horizontal slot and 1/4" tripod mount and knob, and you can see that it adjusts up and down.

For other applications a person can use a wooden "V" block, with leather strap if extra security is important. A couple different V angles would suffice for several lens diameters.

Nothing yet to center a shutter, but the wheels are turning.

(for the lens as it was see http://elearning.winona.edu/jjs/nl)

 

[barryjyoung]

Actually one vee block would work for all lenses. Just make it about the width of the one in the thumbnail and any lens will fit. As the lens barrels get smaller, they just sink a bit farther into the vee. Hey, that looks suspiciously like a Sinar Alpina to me.

 

[jjstafford]

Actually one vee block would work for all lenses. Just make it about the width of the one in the thumbnail and any lens will fit. As the lens barrels get smaller, they just sink a bit farther into the vee. Hey, that looks suspiciously like a Sinar Alpina to me.

Yes, one block will work. I was being conservative.

The camera on top of the platform is, indeed, a Sinar Alpina. Alpinas are great buys right now.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

That thing caught my eye on your Biogon page. Thanks for the full explanation.

The camera on top of the platform is, indeed, a Sinar Alpina. Alpinas are great buys right now.

They've been getting top bids of just over $100 lately on eBay, just in case anyone has the slightest hesitance about trying large format.

 

[jjstafford]

Maybe I should add that this 'stand' is very much like a copy-stand lying on its back without a baseboard, except that the tripod mount is on the bottom which would be the backside of a copy stand. Look about for copy stands and you might find some very usefull hardware. I got two Polaroid M style copy cameras from a local printer just as they were going into the dumpster. They have huge rails, but you can't beat the price.