Is it such a good idea to build your own view camera?

Laurent · Dec 6, 2006

Laurent submitted a new resource:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists) - Is it such a good idea to build your own view camera?

Is it such a good idea to build your own view camera ?

Disclaimers:

I do no want to prevent you from building your camera, but just share my experience.

The following reflects my experience so far, and should not be seen as a critic against plan-makers or kit-makers.

So here you are, much involved in photography for some years, but dreaming of something radically different. You think you know all you need to know about 35mm SLR, your pictures may or may be as you want...

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Sean · Dec 6, 2006

comments from the previous article system:

By Laurent - 10:25 PM, 12-13-2004 Rating: None
I'm absolutely sorry for the formatting of the budget part... Could not work it out !
Laurent

By argus - 03:50 PM, 03-21-2005 Rating: None
Any progress on this?

By Pat Bunn - 07:10 PM, 03-24-2005 Rating: None
I have a set of Jons plans - I also have a 9x20 metal lathe, A metal mill, A table saw and many more tools that would be useful. - But I would never try to build a camera as a first camera. Only as a fun project.
But I still have not even started. The only real reason to build a camera is for personal satisfaction (in my opinion)

bsdunek · Dec 7, 2006

Sean said:
comments from the previous article system:

By Laurent - 10:25 PM, 12-13-2004 Rating: None

The only real reason to build a camera is for personal satisfaction (in my opinion)

That's my opinion. Do I want to take photos or work in my workshop? If you like creating things by hand, a camera is as good a project as any. I would like to do this - I just never get my necessary projects done (HoneyDo) to have the time.

As for wood, metals, fasteners, etc. If you're in the making stuff business, these things are easy to find. Money - probably little savings, and don't count your time.

Just IMHO

Bruce

MattKing · Dec 7, 2006

Sean said:
The only real reason to build a camera is for personal satisfaction (in my opinion)

Two thoughts about this:

1) I have very few construction type skills, so this is probably not for me, but...
2) If I did have those skills, and the appropriate tools and workplace, I would seriously consider this, if only for the opportunity to adapt a camera to my own particular circumstances. So many of the cameras (and many other things in this world) seem to be designed by right-handed people, for right-handed people. If I was building my own, it would be very well configured for mostly single handed use by a left-handed person - i.e. someone like me!

M.A.Longmore · Dec 31, 2020

MattKing said:
Two thoughts about this:

1) I have very few construction type skills, so this is probably not for me, but...
2) If I did have those skills, and the appropriate tools and workplace, I would seriously consider this, if only for the opportunity to adapt a camera to my own particular circumstances. So many of the cameras (and many other things in this world) seem to be designed by right-handed people, for right-handed people. If I was building my own, it would be very well configured for mostly single handed use by a left-handed person - i.e. someone like me!

.
" If triangles had a god, they would give her three sides . . . "

vickersdc · Dec 31, 2020

I have a couple of old wood and brass cameras from the 1890's (Underwood "Instanto" 1/4-plate and 1/2-plate). The 1/2-plate camera I am currently making a new back for it, so that I can use my 4x5 DDS with; but due to the non-standard plate holders, I'm also going to have to make a new back for the (good condition but incorrectly sized) 1/2-plate holder that I have!
I've built a couple of sliding box cameras before, which worked surprisingly well too! So, for me, I'd definitely build my own.
Best wishes,
Dee.

MattKing · Dec 31, 2020

I have no recollection of making that post 14 years ago.
But it still rings true .

M.A.Longmore · Dec 31, 2020

MattKing said:
I have no recollection of making that post 14 years ago.
But it still rings true .

.
@MattKing,
I was feeling a bit mischievous, so I just had to give a bump.

Laurent · Jan 2, 2021

M.A.Longmore said:
.
@MattKing,
I was feeling a bit mischievous, so I just had to give a bump.

This is quite a bump! I never finished the article, but a French version exists here: https://galerie-photo.com/construire-sa-chambre.html

Funny enough, your bump comes when I'm windering if I should start again in LF... is that a sign? I (stupidly) sold my Tachihara, as well as the lenses,but feel a bit guilty these days...

wyofilm · Jan 2, 2021

I've spent the last few days contemplating designs of an ultra large format camera to build. Going back to your 2006 question: I probably wouldn't build a 4x5 camera or even an 8x10 thanks to the abundance of both used 4x5 cameras and quasi lower cost 8x10 cameras. However, the same cannot be said of ULF cameras, where the used market is limited and the new cameras are expensive. The first question I've been struggling with is what size? 16x20 or even larger. Or even something like 8x20. Between cabinet joinery (which I can do), selective McMaster-Carr hardware fittings, and buying bellows (which I don't want to do myself), it wouldn't be too bad a project. A camera I built wouldn't be as light or convenient as a new Chamonix, but the price would be much better.

The most important consideration is finishing some furniture projects for my wife before starting on a camera.

Andrew O'Neill · Jan 2, 2021

I built a 14x17 with my grade 9 woodworking skills, and it shows. The bellows takes some skill, too.

Sirius Glass · Jan 2, 2021

wyofilm · Jan 2, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
The bellows takes some skill, too.

I think that is why I want to farm that part out.

wyofilm · Jan 2, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
I built a 14x17 with my grade 9 woodworking skills, and it shows. The bellows takes some skill, too.

Are you still using the camera?

wyofilm · Jan 2, 2021

Sirius Glass said:
View attachment 262788

I thought Zombies stayed with 2020.

Sirius Glass · Jan 2, 2021

wyofilm said:
I thought Zombies stayed with 2020.

Sadly, no.

Andrew O'Neill · Jan 2, 2021

wyofilm said:
Are you still using the camera?

Occasionally...with xray film.

wyofilm · Jan 2, 2021

Andrew O'Neill said:
Occasionally...with xray film.

That is good to hear! That is the beauty of simple cameras: lens, film, and the space in between.

Is it such a good idea to build your own view camera?

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