Zone VI 4x10

[Eric Mac]

Here are a couple in progress photos of a 4x10 back adapted to a Zone VI 4x5 camera. I figure I am about a 1/4 of the way through. Unfortunately, I will not have rear focus ability as the rack on the Zone VI was custom made according to Richard Ritter. The bellows is a paper mock up built according to Barry Youngs book. I figure on about 360mm of draw. BTW, it is not a good idea to try to fold the bellows while watching the football game. The back will be a combination of Barry's and Dan Dozer's design.

Thanks to Barry, Dan and Richard for their information. Also thanks to my buddy Mark at the Chicago School of Woodworking for allowing me access to his shop. ( You think a Unisaw is the bee's knees? you should try a Felder table saw.)

With a little luck I should be making photos by Christmas.

Eric

 

[MenacingTourist]

Looks great.
Nothing beats working in a nice shop with the right tools. I noticed the joints on the back piece. Are they finger or slight dovetails? Hard to tell exactly. What type of wood are you using?

Great to see the project.

Alan.

 

[George Losse]

What are you doing for the swing? It looks like there is a center pivot point, but I couldn't tell what you were doing to lock it down.

Looks great!

George

 

[Dan Dozer]

Eric,

You're making great progress and your design solution looks very interesting. Craftsmanship looks very good as well. I'm glad that "the Journal" was helpful to you. Best of luck from here on and make sure you post some photos of your new creation.

Dan

 

[Eric Mac]

Thanks for the positive responses. A lot of my projects tend to languish from over thinking, so I actually sketched things out this time.

The parts are red oak as this is what I had laying around. The back is going to be ash for the same reason. The rear frame is joined with finger joints. I accomplished both shift and swing with one bolt sliding in a groove underneath. This looked good on paper, but in practice doesn't work well as it tends to move around unless I really tighten it down. I am going to have to rethink this one.

The back is up next followed by the bellows.

Thanks again

Eric

 

[Eric Mac]

Getting closer

I am just about done with all the parts and pieces. I just need to make the frame to attach the bellows to the front standards and fit the ground glass in. I made two ground glass frames just in case. All is left is to sand, finish and assemble the parts and hopefully I'll be shooting before the weather closes in.

I also redid the rear supports. Instead of one knob for shift and swing. I did it with 3. More complicated, but it should tighten down nicely.

Eric

 

[barryjyoung]

Very nice work Eric. I am glad the bellows book is working out for you. Dans journal is a big help for everyone who gets it.

Good luck and again, nice work!

 

[Eric Mac]

First light and no focus.

I finally finished up the 4x10 back for the Zone VI camera. I took it out to the harbor to try to take a couple shots. Unfortunately I ran into a couple problems right off the bat. The rear standard supports need to have the groove cut longer so it will fold up and there is a knob in the way so I couldn't shorten up the bellows enough to focus the 210mm G-Claron. I guess I got caught up in the bigger bellows race that I didn't take into account that I usually shoot a 210 or the 159 Wolly I've been dying to try.

Anyway here are a couple pictures of the camera. I've actually built/modified each part at least twice due to screw ups and miscalculations. Like a soft focus lens, the low pixel count helps soften the blemishes.

Eric