Introduction, Combining photography with home machining hobby.

[wombat2go]

I have been reading Apug for a long time, so I've joined up.
This year I completed building my first 6X7 film camera and also started processing C41 in my basement darkroom.

I have been using K-mount 35mm since 1980, I have some Pentax digital cameras too, and a collection of Ricoh and Pentax -M slr bodies & lenses.
I have a nice 1955 Graflex 4X5 Speed Graphic but I only use it with it's RH/8 6X9 rollfilm back because that is max for my darkroom tank,enlarger and scanner.
I have a few Takumar 6X7 lenses but no body, and that is why I became interested in building metal camera bodies in my small workshop which has
a lathe and an elementary x-y mill/drill. I also machine various lens adaptors and lens boards etc out of aluminum.

This summer my rule was to "only use C41 film & nil digital" which I followed about 80% so far, and lately, with the new camera and my home developing methods improving,
that has become "only use 120 C41 film" so I can focus on getting used to the camera and learning more about that format and C41.

 

[Bruce Osgood]

Welcome to APUG; you seem quite ready for the adventure. Keep us posted.

 

[ic-racer]

Those lenses don't have shutters, so a body for them would be a challenge

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to APUG

 

[fotch]

Hello and welcome to APUG. I do some home machining, mostly part of my clock repair hobby.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

Hello and welcome to APUG!

Jeff

 

[clayne]

Welcome. A home machinist can be quite an asset to the site given our needs for various metal replacement parts, etc.

 

[wombat2go]

Those lenses don't have shutters, so a body for them would be a challenge

Thanks for the replies!
The first camera is based on the Takumar 6X7 90 mm leaf shutter.

I am presently thinking and doing sketches etc for the second camera which will take the non shuttered Tak lenses.
The retro focal ones ( 75mm and 55mm) have larger diameter rear elements.
Last week I was lucky to find and purchase a Copal 495 which is a bare shutter with solenoid and an open diameter of 45 mm, for internal mounting.

I am setting up a lens bench to hold the shutter and lenses, to measure the shutter speed etc. I am thinking to add electronic circuit board to time the shutter and maybe an extra solenoid to close it faster

 

[wombat2go]

I will put up some photos and a description of the first camera in the Camera Building section.
I will appreciate comments and suggestions for the next version.