I saw this the first day the kickstarter was up - unfortunately even then the first "cheapies" were gone, otherwise I'd have backed it already
I'm really glad someone is making an inexpensive field camera. But I'm a bit torn over it.
On one hand, an inexpensive and light field camera would be awesome. I'd prefer a field camera to a monorail (most the inexpensive used LF cameras I see are monorails) simply for the ease of transport and look. And that is where this fall flat. A camera is a tool, and it's look shouldn't matter; except part of the magic of a LF, to me, is the effect is has on the subject. Both Greg Heisler and Dan Winter point out their books how pulling out the 8x10 changed the attitude of the subjects. Even to celebrities who sit for hundreds of photos, a LF camera is special. It makes them feel special, and it makes them stand that bit taller, try the bit harder.
This thing looks too DIY. It looks like a constructor set, not a big noble camera. And if I was only shooting landscapes, that may actually be an advantage. I suppose a lot will depend on on what hardware gets made in metal.
Now, if a stretch goal ever becomes a graflarger style back (so I can use this as a 4x5 enlarger as well as a camera), they will get my money so fast my bank account will spin.
Personally I think its a great idea. Combine the accuracy of CNC routing with the stability of high grade birch plywood to recreate a design from the 1800s. If you take a look at the Travelwide and the Intrepid we are seeing that some of the new technologies are being used to provide inexpensive cameras for entry into large format film. I hope it catches on.
Why would you go from laser cut (a CNC process) to milled? Plywood eats up router bits.My understanding (possibly flawed) is that the prototypes were laser cut sheets which were then laminated to make the body. The production units are supposed to be CNC milled (though I'm assuming a laminated body as well). They are also going to be using metal parts in place of some of the laser cut wood bits. The production models should be considerably sturdier and better finished in comparison to the prototypes.
If I ever get around to photographing celebrities I'll be sure to haul out my Deardorff V8. But when I am bouncing up through a mountain canyon in my Jeep I think I would like to have this one.
The hinges and support struts on the side will be changed to aluminium, the camera is all ready surprisingly rigid just with the wood, but we feel the aluminium will be much harder wearing. The knobs will be milled wood with a metal or nylon bolt, we have been using nylon so far with great results but are going to potentially change this, they are standard M6 Hex bolts that go into a M6 internally threaded tube, so if you wanted to make your own it should be fairly simple as long as you stick to using M6 and match the lengths of the bolts.
any other questions feel free to ask!
All the best, Max
Ya... CNC routers are ONLY 80 years old by now.
Why would you go from laser cut (a CNC process) to milled? Plywood eats up router bits.
Looks pretty amateurish to me. I wish them well though. Anyone with a bit of ambition deserves encouragement.
tim in san jose
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