So I want to make a 4x5 camera

PeteZ8 · Mar 31, 2008

Thanks ic-racer!

PeteZ8 · Mar 31, 2008

The debauchery has begun.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190209281139

Not a bad price right?

Mark Fisher · Mar 31, 2008

If you know your way around a mill, making a back to the correct dimensions should be easy. I managed to do it on a good table saw (very carefully) and was able to get everything flat and to the right dimensions. The camera itself seems like it wouldn't be too hard....lots of precise frames. Making the springs and sheet metal bits is the part I've had problems with (and I've only restored cameras!). If I only had access to a high power laser cutter........

PeteZ8 · Apr 1, 2008

Mark Fisher said:
If you know your way around a mill, making a back to the correct dimensions should be easy. I managed to do it on a good table saw (very carefully) and was able to get everything flat and to the right dimensions. The camera itself seems like it wouldn't be too hard....lots of precise frames. Making the springs and sheet metal bits is the part I've had problems with (and I've only restored cameras!). If I only had access to a high power laser cutter........

Thanks for the reply. Yes, the mechanical bits should be fairly simple once I work out some numbers. Getting the bellows here will be the first big step. I'm going to order a few film holders in the near future as well. Still trying to track down a lens and shutter assembly, probably something in the 75-90mm range since my primary and first focus will be landscapes and I love ultrawides for that work. Hopefully I can collapse those bellows enough for such a short lens.

Laser cutter? Funny you mention that... I happen to work for these guys www.mitsubishi-world.com Too bad I'm in the EDM division!

Steve Smith · Apr 1, 2008

PeteZ8 said:
Laser cutter? Funny you mention that... I happen to work for these guys

I have a laser cutter at work that is quite useful but it is not really powerful enough for thick materials. We just use it for cutting polyester and polycarbonate sheets (up to 0.5mm thick). I can get thicker wooden parts cut on our toolmaker's laser though.

We also have a CNC drill/router left over from the time when we used to make our own PCBs. It is used to make jigs and test fixtures and occasionally - camera parts. I call it training!

Steve.

Laurent · Apr 2, 2008

Jon Grepstad's design for the back is very clever : simply use a frame of 4 mm (plywood) and add 0.8mm thick brass between the frame and the GG.
I used this for my monorail home made camera, and no adjustments were needed to have the proper seating.

Although I do not use this camera (the Tachihara is WAY easier to use on the field), it's been a fun project, and Jon's plans are really worth the money.

Ray Heath · Apr 2, 2008

Laurent said:
Jon Grepstad's design for the back is very clever : simply use a frame of 4 mm (plywood) and add 0.8mm thick brass between the frame and the GG.
I used this for my monorail home made camera, and no adjustments were needed to have the proper seating.

Although I do not use this camera (the Tachihara is WAY easier to use on the field), it's been a fun project, and Jon's plans are really worth the money.

hi Laurent

can you post an image?

how is it "really worth the money" if you don't use it?

Ray

Laurent · Apr 2, 2008

I didn't say the camera was worth the money... in my case, building a monorail was, photographically speaking, a waste of time and money. It was still a fun project but I have much more fun actually making pictures... This said, I still feel that I may build a new camera in the future, for the fun mostly, but it would be a folding one.

What is worth the money is Jon's plans, since the design is clever, and give interesting tricks such as the spring back design.

I'll have a look for pics, I'm currently on travel and don't have everything handy.

Laurent · Apr 3, 2008

OK, I did not find a clear image, so here's a drawing of the GG holder's design.

http://cjoint.com/data/edn2FzSnpM.htm

Hope it helps

Absinthe · Apr 3, 2008

You can see the back on Jon's site

Dead Link Removed

Although that drawing illustrates the design better than you can see from the pictures. Once I have control of my garage again, I will be trying my hand at Jon's design. His book is well written and very clear.

I think I want to build Edward Hoover's camera too, http://home.earthlink.net/~eahoo/camera.html , and may in fact, build that one first.

I have not come across a good design for a folder yet, that I have fallen in love with, but I am still looking for one that I would feel comfortable building.

So I want to make a 4x5 camera

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