New project, 4x5 Field Cam...

[Ian Grant]

This morning, I fit the film holder to the back.


IMG_1176 by Scott --, on Flickr

Next, I'll start on the ground glass holder.

Now that now looks very like the Roll film adaptor I made for my Quarter plate, and is close to my next step with my Houghtons Duchess.

Essentially I'm about to make almost the same except that it'll just hold the 5x4 DDS (UK term for cut film holder) in the same register as the current glass focus screen, which will save a lot of work.

I've now made my new lens boards, the camera now has the Ross lens/Thornton Pickard shutter and also there's a 165mm Tessar on a second board

Ian

 

[bliorg]

nice joinery in post #23

Thanks, Bruce. I enjoy the joinery.

 

[bliorg]

Now that now looks very like the Roll film adaptor I made for my Quarter plate, and is close to my next step with my Houghtons Duchess.

Essentially I'm about to make almost the same except that it'll just hold the 5x4 DDS (UK term for cut film holder) in the same register as the current glass focus screen, which will save a lot of work.

I've now made my new lens boards, the camera now has the Ross lens/Thornton Pickard shutter and also there's a 165mm Tessar on a second board

Ian

Yeah, Ian, the focus screen part is next. Started planing cherry this afternoon, but I need to (accurately) measure the distance to the film plane, add in the thickness of the glass, and have at it. Figuring half-laps at the corners, stopped rabbets for the glass. And I found a scrap of ground glass from the last 8x10 screen I made, so that's done!

 

[bliorg]

Made the ground glass holder today. Will cut the rebate for the glass a little later.


IMG_1183 by Scott --, on Flickr

 

[bliorg]

Went ahead and routed the rabbets and glued up the frame:

Ground glass frame, glued up by Scott --, on Flickr

Will clean up the corners with a chisel and finish fitting with planes after the poly glue cures.

 

[Ian Grant]

Half plates at Dawn Scott

You're making me jealous, I need those kind of wood working skills and the equipment. Very nice work, looks exemplary.

Where there's a will there's a way,my camera's ready, lenses mounted, shutters working . . . . . . . at last my Ross 8"x5" lens is on the right era camera., and the 165mm Tessar as well.

Just the adaptor now

Ian

 

[bliorg]

Ah, you're too kind, Ian. And you're way ahead of me - I haven't even sent the bellows out yet...

 

[Ian Grant]

Scott, my feelings so far are that these English/British camera designs were streets ahead of most current LF camera's.

While your camera's Japanese it's virtually identical to an Indian made English style camera. It's almost as if modern wood/brass cameras are over engineered, and maybe that's been influenced by the very much heavier US approach.

I thought I'd find a camera from circa 1900 awkward, backward etc, instead i find they have far better functionality than many new LF cameras.

Ian

 

[bliorg]

Ground and cut the glass and installed the springs today:


Getting closer... by Scott --, on Flickr

Starting to look like something. Will order Tansu corners tomorrow, and install the mounting pins on the ground glass holder...

 

[bliorg]

Well, installed the pins in the ground glass frame this morning. With the springs surface mounted, and no recess cut for the bends on the ends, there's just too much downward pressure on the frame. So, I have the Dremel set to cut recesses for those spring ends.

Drat. Will need to remount the pins after this, too...

 

[bliorg]

Got everything installed correctly. The 4x5 insert's nearing completion.


IMG_1190 by Scott --, on Flickr

 

[AlanC]

Ian, I agree that some of these old mahogany and brass folding field cameras are better than modern ones in some respects. I have recently been refurbishing a Victorian half plate camera quite like the one you pictured near the start of this thread. I made a new leather bellows and altered the back to take modern 5 x 7 filmholders. This camera weighs 4lb, half the weight of modern 5 x 7 cameras yet is very rigid, folds down small and has a good range of movements.
I got this camera, complete with original lens for £13. Nobody wanted it because the bellows were split, and hanging off.
I am very pleased with the quality of the photographs I'm getting with this camera. The old lens seems just as sharp as an 8" Kodak Ektar that i tested it against, and being uncoated it has a very distinctive low contrast look. Quite unlike modern harsh-sharp lenses.

Alan Clark

 

[bliorg]

Have begun to apply finish to the cherry:


Oiled... by Scott --, on Flickr

 

[taulen]

Looking real pretty Scott !

 

[bliorg]

Thanks, Jonny.


Waiting on clips... by Scott --, on Flickr

The oil and lacquer are dry, and the insert is reassembled. All it needs now are the ground glass retainer clips, which are coming UPS today. Once they're installed, I'll touch up the paint on the springs, paint the screw heads, and move on to the tripod mount. Overall, I'm happy with how this is turning out...

 

[bliorg]

So close...


So close... by Scott --, on Flickr

 

[bliorg]

Now I need to figure out the tripod mount...

 

[Ian Grant]

I have the same dilemma, in my case the original brass tripod ring is missing, a previous owner had fitted a plate to the bottom which had been removed again before I bought the camera, and didn't come with it.

My best option is to make an aluminium plate as this will be the least obtrusive and add little noticeable thickness to the base, I can use existing screw holes. This will leave the camera as original as possible so if I find another tripod ring and matching legs it can be restored back to the original tripod configuration.

Ian

 

[bliorg]

Okay - I've got a plan. Ian, PM me the dimensions you need on the tripod ring - might be able to send you mine.

 

[bliorg]

A quick update, in case anyone's following along...

 

[bliorg]

Just received word: The original bellows have made it to Sandeha Lynch! Which means I'd better move on the base plate and some lensboards!

 

[bliorg]

Well, I completed the tripod-mount base plate...


IMG_1239 by Scott --, on Flickr

 

[bliorg]

I hate waiting.


Naked... by Scott --, on Flickr

 

[holmburgers]

Very very nice!

 

[bliorg]

Woot! The bellows have been folded!