Pix of your home-built cams, mods and creations here please (part 2)

vickersdc

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
454
Location
Somerset, UK.
Format
Multi Format

Well, I think it's brilliant and I'm sure it'll work just fine!
 

dirkfletcher

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
509
Location
Chicago
Format
4x5 Format
Here is a new 4x5 wide camera I finished built from a Cambo standard, lens board and GG back. The camera uses a zone focusing 65mm f/8 Super Angulon in a focusing helical and has a rotating 4x5 Cambo Graflock/Universal back. The camera has two permanently mounted Arca Swiss plates, one on the bottom and a larger 150mm plate on the side that doubles as a hand grip and a vertical tripod mounting location. A removable Russian (Russar) 20mm finder is used and mounted with enough room to allow the back to rotate.

The camera is quite similar to a Sinar Handy, Linhof Technar or Burke & James Orbitar only more affordable than the Sinar or Linhof and much more attractive than the B&J!

 
Last edited:

vickersdc

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
454
Location
Somerset, UK.
Format
Multi Format

That is fabulous! Where did you get the focusing helical from?
 

dirkfletcher

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
509
Location
Chicago
Format
4x5 Format
Ebay and then some work to get both the lens mounted and it mounted to the camera. They aren't that expensive, just needs some time to get it working.

Dirk
 

vickersdc

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
454
Location
Somerset, UK.
Format
Multi Format
dirkfletcher said:
Ebay and then some work to get both the lens mounted and it mounted to the camera. They aren't that expensive, just needs some time to get it working.

Dirk
Click to expand...
That's great, thank you for your response

I've just been and had a look... now I've got a whole load of ideas swirling around my head!
 

dirkfletcher

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
509
Location
Chicago
Format
4x5 Format
Finishing up another Covid camera, this one a point and shoot 8x10 point and shoot using a 210mm f/5.6 Fujinon L. This camera uses a Deardorff 8x10 back, has two Arca Swiss plates, one for for horizontal, one for vertical tripod shooting with a removable handgrip that is a modded Redrock Micro handle that mounts to the vertical plate for handheld use. The finder is a Koni Omega and the rangefinder is a Telex rangefinder. Second set of test sheets are at the lab.
 

dirkfletcher

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
509
Location
Chicago
Format
4x5 Format
vickersdc said:
An 8x10 point and shoot?! Okay, I'm now waiting for the 20x24 version...

Great work by the way @dirkfletcher - what is the lens 'bowl' from?
Click to expand...
It (was) a stainless steel mixing bowl from our kitchen. Unfortunately it took a couple different bowls to get it right, luckily we had a bunch and my wife is super understanding. I was going to name the camera ‘the salad shooter’

It is quite useable on sticks too...
 

vickersdc

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
454
Location
Somerset, UK.
Format
Multi Format
@dirkfletcher - that's fantastic!

I've just started to create a new back for my c1895 Underwood Instanto 1/2-plate camera as the holder that I was given for it, is too small for the original back!
 

radiant

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2019
Messages
2,135
Location
Europe
Format
Hybrid
dirkfletcher said:
Ebay and then some work to get both the lens mounted and it mounted to the camera. They aren't that expensive, just needs some time to get it working.

Dirk
Click to expand...

Can you link some examples? I tried to search but couldn't find any.

dirkfletcher said:
Finishing up another Covid camera, this one a point and shoot 8x10 point and shoot using a 210mm f/5.6 Fujinon L.
Click to expand...

What kind of focusing range do you have here? I would have thought the focal length would need to be much longer?

Your cameras are beautiful, well done!
 

fdonadio

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2015
Messages
2,062
Location
Berlin, DE
Format
Multi Format
vedostuu said:
Can you link some examples? I tried to search but couldn't find any.
Click to expand...

Search for RAFCamera. You’ll need a flange to mount the helical to the body, the helical itself and a “board” that fits the front thread of the helical and has the right-sized thread for your shutter. They make all of these parts.

Also keep in mind that the inside dimensions of the helical must fit the rear group of your lens. For example, for my “Poor-man’s SWC” project (that I should have finished ages ago), I got an Ilex Super Paragon 38mm f/4.5 (a Zeiss Biogon clone). The rear group of this lens has an outside diameter of roughly 50mm, so I got the 65mm helical, which has an inside diameter of roughly 61mm and gives me plenty space. The next smaller size they had was too small for my lens, so YMMV.
 

dirkfletcher

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
509
Location
Chicago
Format
4x5 Format
Exactly what Fdonadio said. My first run was using the smaller 58mm helical and it worked so I went to the larger 65mm helical and it’s works w/o a problem. Here is a shot of the first film test with the smaller helical:
 

Fujicaman1957

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2016
Messages
187
Format
35mm


You get an "A+" for the idea of using the salad bowl !
 

Old_Dick

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2014
Messages
394
Location
03082
Format
Multi Format
Great work folks. Please keep it going. Gold stars for all. Pat on the back and all good things.
 

vickersdc

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
454
Location
Somerset, UK.
Format
Multi Format
Just in the middle of making a second back for my E&T Underwood 1/2-plate camera (the first one allowed me to fit a 4x5 DDS into it). This one will allow me to fit the one wooden bookform holder that I have into it. I've bought some Foma 1/2-plate film and I'm looking forward to taking it out in the summer and then contact printing from it.

 

vickersdc

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
454
Location
Somerset, UK.
Format
Multi Format
The new back for the 1/2 plate camera is coming along nicely - the bookform holder that I have fits a treat and now I just need to make the ground glass and frame for it.
 

dirkfletcher

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
509
Location
Chicago
Format
4x5 Format
Here it the second wide camera made with the other salvaged Cambo standard (the earlier 65mm wide camera that I posted was made from the front standard). This has a 65mm helical mounted lens on a spacer then mounted to the lens board. The board also holds the hot shoe bracket for the removable 21mm finder. A permanently mounted left hand grip is clear of both front and rear standards and robust enough to carry the entire camera via shoulder strap. This camera also has a Bosscreen which came with a fresnel but in all honesty, the focus seemed to pop better w/o out the fresnel so I kept it off. The only thing needed to finish it off is the Cambo folding focusing hood (part number C-929) to replace the ground glass protector and and make focusing in daylight a bit easier. Although both the 90 degree and straight Cambo magnifiers work on the Graflok back. I tracked down an old school Arca Swiss plate and mounted in horizontal to the camera body so you didn't have to rotate the Arca clamp if you are shooting digital and 4x5 together.
 

dirkfletcher

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
509
Location
Chicago
Format
4x5 Format
My second conversion of the incredible HARMAN TiTAN 4x5 pinhole into a lightweight 4x5 super wide point and shoot. Without a shoulder strap, the first conversion was a bit tricky to use alongside a DSLR. Using the same dual ARCA plate configuration that I figured out for an earlier camera, this camera now has a vertical tripod mount, side handle and shoulder strap mount that works perfectly on a lightweight camera like this one.
 
Last edited:

vickersdc

Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
454
Location
Somerset, UK.
Format
Multi Format

That is fantastic - well done Sir!
 

Jannik Meussling

Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2021
Messages
1
Location
Germany
Format
35mm
My first building project was inspired by Dirk's 6x12 conversions. Basically it is based on Dirk's design, but I created my own front panel and brackets with a CAD program. The parts were then manufactured using an SLA print process.
In the mounting plate I have integrated an Arca-Swiss and a viewfinder mount.


 

el_pan

Member
Joined
May 16, 2021
Messages
1
Location
Austria
Format
Medium Format
Great Cameras you got there!
May I present two of my most recent projects. Both use the Minigon XL 38mm F4.5 lens of the Lomo LCA-120.
Housed in a custom made mount in aluminium for the Compur shutter. Focusing from 0.3m to infinity with magnetic stop at infinity. Aperture ranges from F4 to F16 ( the lens is originaly a F4.5 but opens up further in the compur shutter)

The one with the wooden inlays was my first attempt based on a zeiss nettar with two hotshoes for the 38mm finder and a Doomo light meter.

The second one is based on a Seagull 203 and allows for switching between 6x6 and 6x4.5 format. Same viewfinder (38mm) but this time included in the topplate. Also built in one of those Reveni Lightmeters and got rid of one of the biggest flaws of eating through button cells by using a AAA battery inside the camera.
The camera also has a fitting 6x4.5 mask for the viewfinder stored inside with magnets.
Built them because I couldn't afford a Hasselblad SWC...
 

wiltw

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
6,363
Location
SF Bay area
Format
Multi Format
I'l play. Frankencamera made of Horseman LS monorail with rear lensboard modifiied with Canon lens mount, allowing a Canon dSLR body to be mounted in place of standard 4x5 film holder.


 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…