Homemade 5X4 camera project.

ColRay · Dec 1, 2011

My new camera project.

Over the next few months I will be making something slightly different ... From as much as possible the construction will be from recycled materials.

The camera will be a 5x4" monorail vaguely based on the Jon Grepstad design,or it may even and up as a flat bed type

The lens and shutter arrived the other day. Over 70 years old it's one of the 135mm Ortagoz lenes . It's condition isn't first class has paint missing and the glass has some light fungus.. or mushrooms as the guy who sold it said .

If anyone is is interested I can post images on how it's going.
Colin

nhemann · Dec 1, 2011

That would be me, post away!

daleeman · Dec 1, 2011

Show me sumptin

ColRay · Dec 1, 2011

Please note all of the construction pictures have been taken digitally.

All going well I will be using this camera in an art/craft exhibition with the title of 'Metamorphosis' I'm using recycled materials as much as possible, so I guess it a reverse metamorphosis. This exhibition will take place late next year. Every stage will be documented. will be so stand by for plenty of pictures.

135mm Ortagoz lens and shutter.

I pick up some goodies at the local tip shop that should be just right for the project . Also I had an old apple crate that had squirreled away has some nice old timber I could find a use for .

This is the first of the frames.

Pioneer · Dec 1, 2011

Right Up My Alley

Great stuff so far. Recycling old wood into a camera is certainly something I can get into. Waiting for more.

ColRay · Dec 1, 2011

The film deck is taking shape I did have one slight problem with the thin slats cupping, the spring back frame for the ground glass screen should eliminate this problem.. if not Bugger!

ColRay · Dec 1, 2011

I'm using a slab type of construction. the end grain won't be a problem , because I will be spraying the finished camera with enamel paint that has the 'Hammered Metal Look' just like the pin hole camera I made some time back.

One of my homemade recycled materials cameras

ColRay · Dec 1, 2011

The spring back frame.

I hope there isn't a cap on the amount of images per thread.

Colin

steven_e007 · Dec 2, 2011

I love it!
I look forward to following this thread

Steve Smith · Dec 2, 2011

I'm interested too.

Most of my DIY camera making has been with wood re-claimed from old furniture too.

Could you show a bit more detail of your spring back design? Is is similar to the Razzlok back? http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/Razzlok_/razzlok_.html

Steve.

ColRay · Dec 2, 2011

Thanks Steve n Steve.

Re the spring back. No it's more like the Jon Grepstad design.
Looking at the Razzolok back, I have use something similar on a Fotokor1 that I converted for 5x4.
As soon as the back is finished I will post images showing better detail .
Colin

My Russian Fotokor 1with very rough 5x4 conversion

ColRay · Dec 2, 2011

Still working on the spring-back. I needed some flat spring metal and brass strips, found the bolt at the scrap yard and plenty of old saw blades in the shed.

SMBooth · Dec 3, 2011

I aways like looking at new camera making ideas.

bobwysiwyg · Dec 3, 2011

SMBooth said:
I aways like looking at new camera making ideas.

+1 and I would love to try one myself sometime, but sadly I'm not the most skilled when it comes to woodworking.

Laurent · Dec 3, 2011

bobwysiwyg said:
+1 and I would love to try one myself sometime, but sadly I'm not the most skilled when it comes to woodworking.

This simply means that you'll build two cameras to have one At least it's what happened to me when I built my camera, but it's been great fun.

bobwysiwyg · Dec 3, 2011

Laurent said:
This simply means that you'll build two cameras to have one At least it's what happened to me when I built my camera, but it's been great fun.

Hadn't thought of it that way, kind of two for one.

ColRay · Dec 5, 2011

Plan 'B' the saw blades even after reducing the size still have loads of tension. So I had a hunt in the junk box and found some small springy material that was once part of the mechanism of a vertical blind.

Steve Smith · Dec 6, 2011

A stainless steel kitchen spatula or an artist's pallet knife are good sources of springy material.

Steve.

Laurent · Dec 6, 2011

Steve Smith said:
A stainless steel kitchen spatula or an artist's pallet knife are good sources of springy material.

Steve.

In car's wipers (hope this is the right word) there are two stainless steel blades that can be used as springs (it's what I used for my own project).

Steve Smith · Dec 6, 2011

Laurent said:
In car's wipers (hope this is the right word).

It is. Windscreen wipers in the UK and windshield wipers in the US.

That's a source I hadn't thought of. Thanks.

Steve.

ColRay · Dec 7, 2011

The spring-back film holder and camera back. I must admit it may not be the same high constitution standard that many builders of Jon Grepstad's cameras have obtained.. but a coat of hammered metal paint will hide a multitude of sins.

ColRay · Dec 7, 2011

Laurent and Steve many thanks for the extra info.

ColRay · Dec 11, 2011

That's the focusing screen done! Next job the front stand.

paul ron · Dec 12, 2011

What a beauty! Nice job, I hope to see more of your projects posted here, and maybe some pics form that camera as well?

ColRay · Dec 12, 2011

Thanks Paul I will be posting many more of the production images.. and when the camera is finished..I will be out 'n about photographing views of Albany.. stay tuned

Homemade 5X4 camera project.

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