This guy makes building a 4x5 look easy....

[ChristopherCoy]

 

[awty]

Wish my tools were that shiny and new.....and sharp!

You should make one, doesn't have to be that elaborate. A camera is just a light proof box with a lens up one end and a piece of film up the other. If you have a box that slides in and out with out letting light in you can even change the focal length. I made a 14 x 17 camera that way.

 

[DREW WILEY]

Any seriously skilled cabinetmaker could make a wooden view camera as beautiful and functional as any you could buy. I know a few that have. In fact, some camera manufacturers probably began that way.

 

[grat]

I want to build one out of 8020 aluminum extrusions.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

I want to build one out of 8020 aluminum extrusions.

Wouldn't be that hard, especially if you used aluminum brazing rods to weld it together instead of screws.

 

[Donald Qualls]

Building a large format camera -- even a field camera with adequate movements and ability to fold up into a box -- isn't rocket science. It's "just" craftsmanship. The way it needs to work is very well documented, there are plans on line that can serve as a starting point, but it also helps a lot to have experience using a field camera to know what it needs and what it doesn't.

 

[John Earley]

Wish my tools were that shiny and new.....and sharp!

I would love to have his $2500 table saw!

 

[Jim Jones]

A less elegant DIY view camera is described here: https://jongrepstad.com/building-a-large-format-camera/. Experienced craftsmen should carefully examine such projects to adapt them to the craftsman's abilities, tools available materials, and photographic goals.

 

[grat]

A less elegant DIY view camera is described here: https://jongrepstad.com/building-a-large-format-camera/. Experienced craftsmen should carefully examine such projects to adapt them to the craftsman's abilities, tools available materials, and photographic goals.

Yeah-- knowing about Jon's website (and book), I was a bit surprised to hear the video creator say "there's no designs available online". Apparently his search engine powers are rudimentary.

Very nice wood working, although I feel he glossed over the more interesting bits, and the fact that he never used the word "standard" was a bit jarring. Still-- very nice craftsmanship, and a nice final product.

 

[grat]

Wouldn't be that hard, especially if you used aluminum brazing rods to weld it together instead of screws.

Well-- that would work, but it kind of defeats the purpose of using something designed for rapid assembly.

 

[awty]

Well-- that would work, but it kind of defeats the purpose of using something designed for rapid assembly.

Yes it does work and it wont fold down, but someone with some basic skills and a little spare time can easily make one.
If you are going to make a fold down camera that would be great, love to see it. I love it when people make their own stuff.....anyone can shop.