"Standard Cameras" 4x5 DIY Kit

ProfessorC1983 · Jun 19, 2020

I've been looking for a mostly build-it-yourself, very low-cost introduction to either 2x3 or 4x5 LF cameras so I can learn the basics of bellows construction, ground glass making, and shooting with movements. I came across https://standardcameras.com which is a nearly all-3D printed 4x5 available as a kit or fully DIY. It's not going to win any beauty contests against wooden cameras but for the price, this is a very intriguing option. Anyone have experience building or shooting with this kit?

jim10219 · Jun 19, 2020

That's a nice looking camera on the outside, but I'd probably pass on it. It looks like a monorail, but it doesn't have the rear movements you'd get from a real monorail. And it also will probably cost you more, depending on what monorail you're looking at. It's not going to be as small and portable as a field or press camera. And if you just want to make your own camera, why not make it all from scratch yourself? Making the bellows is by far the hardest part, and if you're okay with that, the rest should be cake!

What I'm basically saying is, while I don't think that's a terrible option... I think you could do better.

John Koehrer · Jun 19, 2020

But a lot of LF cameras don't have rear movements, and many fuzzygraphers don't miss them No field camera uses them and full movements
are most useful in a studio or architectural setting.

There used to be a couple of sites like this,
https://petapixel.com/2015/07/10/how-i-built-myself-a-large-format-4x5-monorail-view-camera
https://jongrepstad.com/building-a-large-format-camera/camera-builders

Bob S · Jun 19, 2020

John Koehrer said:
But a lot of LF cameras don't have rear movements, and many fuzzygraphers don't miss them No field camera uses them and full movements
are most useful in a studio or architectural setting.

There used to be a couple of sites like this,
https://petapixel.com/2015/07/10/how-i-built-myself-a-large-format-4x5-monorail-view-camera
https://jongrepstad.com/building-a-large-format-camera/camera-builders

But technical cameras like the a Technika and the Wista do have back movements.

Donald Qualls · Jun 19, 2020

I see shift and swing at the back, plus tilt, rise, shift, and swing in front. The only thing I can see wanting and not having is rear tilt, to accommodate a plumb film plane when you have to tilt the rail up or down due to limits in the rise and fall of the front standard. In other words, your perspective control is a little limited, but you have all the focal plane control you could want. You'll learn a lot more with that camera than you would with, say, a Super Graphic.

The reasonable alternative if you just want to buy a camera is a Graphic View -- it's got the movements this lacks, and they're generally not priced into the stratosphere (they're 60-75 years old now) -- but if you're interested in building your own, even to the level of assembling a kit, this is probably a good first stab.

Dennis-B · Jun 20, 2020

The Standard Camera is a non-starter, since they are out of stock. However, there's a company in England which has a 4x5 camera which may serve your purposes.

https://intrepidcamera.co.uk/products/intrepid-camera

Lead time, according to their site is 6-8 weeks. You're still looking at buying holders, lens, lens board, etc.

You may also consider the Omega series, as well as Toyo, and Cambo/Calumet.

alanrockwood · Jun 20, 2020

There is (or was) the Bender 4x5 kit. Material: wood. They are no longer available new, but sometimes they show up on ebay. (I see there is one listed now on ebay.)

However, you can probably by a complete 4x5 camera (used) on ebay for less money than either the bender kit that is currently listed or the kit you were looking at.

Added note: the Bender camera on ebay right now is missing parts.

ProfessorC1983 · Jun 20, 2020

Thanks all! I'm thinking that despite the limited movements this might indeed be a good place to start my LF journey. And it being out of stock is not a non-starter for me at all since I intend to build (print?) the thing from scratch and learn along the way. Starting with the bellows, because I always eat my vegetables first!

Bob S · Jun 20, 2020

How do you learn with those limited movements.

grat · Jun 20, 2020

The same way you do with more complicated movements. Figure out each one, one at a time, then put it all together.

"Standard Cameras" 4x5 DIY Kit

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency