Hello there
I shoot medium & large format mainly. However I'm also into the so called "alternative" photography and I'm making an extensive research on vintage photographic processes. Most recently I'm experimenting with dry plates and calotypes (the first paper negatives). Having been successful in delivering dry plate negatives and paper negatives, I'm considering to try wet plate soon.
My only large format camera is a 4x5" Graflex. I'm very happy with it, but somehow 4x5" is surprisingly getting too small for me!! I'd like to have an 8x10 camera. Perhaps an 11x14, but I'd be worried about its portability.
I'm from Italy and I've been looking for an 8x10 large format camera. There aren't too many around and often the price looked too expensive, compared to the almost inexpensive Graflex.
I'd really like to have a wooden camera, ideally combined with a real, vintage, brass lens.
So, why not building one? I think I have enough tools to work wood. Basically a router table, precision saws, etc. I could make such camera suitable for both film and plate photography, with custom made holders. I don't need movements, a simply "focus & shoot" camera with rails and bellows is ok. I'd like to make it foldable too.
I never made a camera before (excluding a very simple pinhole). But I already have some ideas and after this post I'm going to search through APUG for older posts on the topic. For those who have already built a similar camera, do you have any specific suggestions for me?
While I'm having many ideas about possible camera structure, I actually have no idea on how to manufacture the bellows. And how to make them fit a 8x10" image circle. Perhaps this is a FAQ and I will search for available instructions.
Anyway if there's somebody else who's making a similar camera right now or is about to start a project, we can share ideas and solutions.
cheers!
I shoot medium & large format mainly. However I'm also into the so called "alternative" photography and I'm making an extensive research on vintage photographic processes. Most recently I'm experimenting with dry plates and calotypes (the first paper negatives). Having been successful in delivering dry plate negatives and paper negatives, I'm considering to try wet plate soon.
My only large format camera is a 4x5" Graflex. I'm very happy with it, but somehow 4x5" is surprisingly getting too small for me!! I'd like to have an 8x10 camera. Perhaps an 11x14, but I'd be worried about its portability.
I'm from Italy and I've been looking for an 8x10 large format camera. There aren't too many around and often the price looked too expensive, compared to the almost inexpensive Graflex.
I'd really like to have a wooden camera, ideally combined with a real, vintage, brass lens.
So, why not building one? I think I have enough tools to work wood. Basically a router table, precision saws, etc. I could make such camera suitable for both film and plate photography, with custom made holders. I don't need movements, a simply "focus & shoot" camera with rails and bellows is ok. I'd like to make it foldable too.
I never made a camera before (excluding a very simple pinhole). But I already have some ideas and after this post I'm going to search through APUG for older posts on the topic. For those who have already built a similar camera, do you have any specific suggestions for me?
While I'm having many ideas about possible camera structure, I actually have no idea on how to manufacture the bellows. And how to make them fit a 8x10" image circle. Perhaps this is a FAQ and I will search for available instructions.
Anyway if there's somebody else who's making a similar camera right now or is about to start a project, we can share ideas and solutions.
cheers!
