LF builders: Who to work with on a custom 12x12?

[ProfessorC1983]

Seeking recommendations for a LF/ULF camera builder who might want to work together on a custom project. I've been envisioning a 12x12" square wooden field camera (though I could possibly be talked into a monorail), with matching glass plate holders. Kind of an "album cover art camera" to make large square dry-plate negatives for alt-process prints. Something fairly lightweight, with enough movements to be interesting, but rugged enough to survive field use and not too fussy.

This would be a very long-term project (probably years, not months) and I realize not an inexpensive one. I'd like to take my time in selecting a builder based on previous work and aesthetic match, and ideally would like to learn some skills (such as bellows-making) myself as part of the process.

Who in the community is currently doing these kinds of custom builds?

 

[faberryman]

Check with Richard Ritter:

LARGE FORMAT CAMERA REPAIR R T RITTER

Large format camera repair, restoration, Pentax spot meter repair, calibration and photography workshops.

www.lg4mat.net

 

[jnk]

do you want this camera to be downtown or back alley? if downtown your biggest expense will be custom bellows and custom film plate holders back alley you will need to think outside the box.

 

[Michael Mutmansky]

I would talk to one of the companies who make an 11x14 camera. Get them to fabricate a 12x12 back for it and then a holder or two for the glass plates.

The people who make wet plate cameras probably know all the details for making a proper glass plate holder and possibly the back for the camera.

Basically, there is almost nothing stopping you from going with a suitable 11x14 camera as a starting point and use a relativly simple reducing back of whatever dimensions you wish. No need to go fully custom here, but of course, you certainly could.

I'd be thinking of a Canham... but there are a lot of others that would be suitable, as well.

 

[ic-racer]

Yes, you can probably get an 11x14 camera for reasonable price and just need to fabricate a back and holders. A custom camera built is likely to be very expensive.

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I am pretty sure Canham does custom ones. I'd imagine though that any camera builder would do it if you waved the Benjamins in front of their face.