HOW TO build a simple Point & Shoot 4x5" Camera (P&S) ?

[Kawaiithulhu]

I didn't see an example, but consider adding a wire sports finder that can be flipped up to frame shots.

And be careful that you don't go over the top with a series of modifications and end up with

 

[paul ron]

For inspiration, take a look at the Gowland aerial cameras, about half way down at http://www.petergowland.com/camera/index.html

I believe SK Grimes makes/made a helical mount for LF lenses. But won't be cheap.

I've wondered what could be accomplished with threaded pvc fittings.

i was thinking along the tlr line as well.

 

[nosmok]

@51: Hey I resemble that remark! I took a Combat Graphic that I had laying around for years and made a 4x5 point and shoot out of it. More news to follow...

 

[nosmok]

...and here we are. A link to my first camera build project from a year or two ago.

Combat Graflex 4x5 Point and Shoot

There's some more pictures of the thing on my Flickr. Basically, I took the rear end of a Combat Graflex and bodged a wide-angle lens (80mm) on the front with cardboard and tape. Focused the lens at 10 feet; one can 'focus' it with the aperture using the physics of hyperfocal distance: the smaller the aperture, the wider the band of "sharp" focus. It's fun to use because the the lens is slow (f/6.8 iirc) and it and the shutter only have 5 or six settings each. Plus the shutter, a simplified Graflex Curtain, goes down in speed with each exposure unless you rewind. So in the field, you work from "close up"work, with wide apertures and fast shutter, to "landscape" shots with smaller apertures and deeper focus. It's a blast to walk around with and though certainly bulky isn't very heavy. That Meyer lens gives a pretty good account of itself. Will post a couple shots taken with it tomorrow.

 

[gone]

Cameras to scare people with. And adults!

 

[dirkfletcher]

This is a great thread, here is a camera I recently built that uses a fixed focus 65mm SA.