Started the build of a new camera...

Jeff Kubach · May 1, 2010

Very impressive. I wish I could do that.

Jeff

Perry Way · May 1, 2010

vickersdc said:
However, you can have a slightly sloppy fit and then use felt on the inside walls of the front standard if you want.

I bid on a custom made 11x14 box camera (didn't win.. was quite expensive) that was more than sloppy. It was outright loose. But whoever made it put like an o-ring kind of seal between the two layers. Actually this was done in two parts on the camera allowing someone to get a closeup shot. Anyway, the seal (which was some kind of oiled felt or something fibrous) allowed enough movement while still providing light tightness, and that gave that box camera swing and tilt. Perhaps four brass screws could be used, one at each corner to adjust swing and tilt. Just an idea! I love this camera you built. I just got a Voigtlander Avus 9x12 and saw your post and now I'll be watching it for further progress. Thanks for sharing these inspirational photographs!

vickersdc · May 1, 2010

@Perry Wey: Interesting idea - tilt & swing on a box camera!

There'll be more photos along very shortly; after having to take just over a week off from the workshop projects due to some papers that I had to write, I've been able to get back in the workshop again. The camera is now in a 'finished' state (I still have to take it apart to give it a final sand, then polish). However, it is ostensibly completed - and I've got the photos to prove it!

vickersdc · May 2, 2010

Here's the first of the next bunch of photos!

It's the underside of the base board for the camera, 16cm square and 9mm thick (apart from the central piece which is 6mm thick). All pieces are jointed by mortice & tenon joints.

The slot cut in will be used for the focus lock. You can see the modified pan head screw - flats cut on either side - to ensure it doesn't turn when tightening / loosening the focus lock. Brass knob made by me too.

vickersdc · May 2, 2010

So here it is...

...my home-made 9x12 sliding box camera is almost complete (just needs a final sand and a coat of something to protect the wood, as well as blacking out the interior).

The lens isn't what I actually want to fit - I'd like an old brass lens, but I don't have one! In the meantime, this old Kodak 105mm will have to do.

The 9x12 slide-in ground glass screen can be easily removed to fit the plate holders.

Here you can see the front panel rise movement.

Looking forward to taking some shots with this... before moving on to the next one, as this was only ever a prototype camera.

jon.oman · May 2, 2010

For a prototype, it looks really cool! Great job on this. Sure would like to see some images made by it!

Jon

Christopher Walrath · May 2, 2010

Very impressive, David. I had not incorporated rise into my original designs. Giving me some awesome ideas for 8x10.

Steve Smith · May 3, 2010

I have just been to an exhibition of marine photography by Beken of Cowes at Dimbola Lodge. For those who don't know, Dimbola Lodge was the home of Victorian pioneer photographer Julia Margaret Cameron and Beken are the world famous yachting photographers based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Anyway.... also on display were Frank Beken's first two home made cameras. The first is shown here: http://www.cowes.co.uk/d/Beken exhib Frank Beken with box camera.jpg
and here: Dead Link Removed

and is a half plate (I think) twin lens design. Built like a twin lens reflex except there is no reflex mirror on the viewer. Just a ground glass screen to look at. As you can see it is held with both hands with the bulb shutter release worked by his mouth!

The other camera was a slightly simpler 5x4 model which had a Graflex Optar 135mm lens and a simpler viewfinder. It looked a bit like a ruggedised non-bellows Speed Graphic and I think some of the parts may have come from a Graflex camera.

Both cameras are very simple, solidly built and have been responsible for some of the best marine photography ever made: http://www.beken.co.uk/history.htm

Steve.

jon.oman · May 17, 2010

Any test images yet? Any problem with light leaks with the box-in-box?

Jon

vickersdc · May 18, 2010

Hi Jon,

No test images yet as I haven't had a chance to actually completely finish the camera (too busy writing various essays for my teacher qualifications), but I will post images as soon as I've taken some!

jon.oman · Jul 3, 2010

Just checking in. Is it done and tested? Any sample images taken with the camera?

Jon

vickersdc · Jul 5, 2010

jon.oman said:
Just checking in. Is it done and tested? Any sample images taken with the camera?

Jon

Hi Jon,

Sorry, but so far no images yet - I've been very busy with a load of video work and haven't yet had a chance to try the camera out! What with the current workload and the library losing 15 original cyanotype prints that were on display there as part of a small exhibition, I can't see the camera coming out to be used for a little while! But when it does, I will post to this thread.

Cheers,
David.

jon.oman · Jul 5, 2010

Thanks for the update. Too bad about the cyanotypes.

Jon

whlogan · Jul 5, 2010

Beautiful work..... keep at it ..... more pictures, even if they are digi***al!!!!
Logan

nick mulder · Jul 8, 2010

hmmm - have you thought about a mirrored viewer to flip the composition the right way up ?

jon.oman · Sep 2, 2010

jon.oman said:
Any test images yet? Any problem with light leaks with the box-in-box?

Just another bump to see some images! As you can tell, I'm interested.

Jon

Rom · Sep 30, 2010

Hi,

Very interesting thread. Congratulation for your work.
I suscribe to the thread to see the following steps. Many thanks for sharing.

All the best

Rom

vickersdc · Nov 9, 2010

Hi all,

Apologies for the long time away - I gave up on photography for several months, in part due to the fact that the library lost 15 of my cyanotypes following an exhibition (that I had shot specially for the library) and partly due to other things. Anyway, at the weekend I finally painted the interior of the camera flat black - I used a gouache paint mixed with a tiny amount of water (Lamp Black was the colour).

And then... drum roll please... I couldn't resist taking the first picture with it!

No, I know the subject is pretty dull but it is the first picture from my sliding box camera and I developed the 9x12 sheet film in Caffenol so it's very grainy. But here it is...

and here is a crop...

Excuse all the development marks, I was being impatient! Which is ironic really after putting the camera into the back of a wardrobe for several months!

vickersdc · Nov 9, 2010

jon.oman said:
Just another bump to see some images! As you can tell, I'm interested.

Jon

Hi Jon,

No problems with light leaks as far as I can tell, although there is good overlap between the two boxes.

I waxed the exterior of the camera, and the two boxes now slide in and out very smoothly. It still looks a bit daft with that lens on it though, it needs a brass lens ;0)

David.

jon.oman · Nov 9, 2010

David,

I'm glad to see the first image! It looks like you have a functional camera. Great job!

I have started to plan my own. If I get anywhere, I'll post some images of it here.

Too bad about your cyanotypes. Maybe someone is still enjoying them, although they should return them!

Started the build of a new camera...

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