4x5 Film View Camera
Introduction: 4x5 Film View Camera
A lot of people would claim that film is dead but that would be news to my photographer friend <PERSON>.
<PERSON> and I have been good friends for over 30 years and long ago we talked about making a large format 4x5 sheet film view camera. <PERSON> is an exceptionally talented photographer and I wanted this to not only meet his desires for a hand made 4x5 view camera but also be a view camera that was built to last (and pretty to look at)- sort of an heirloom product.
A camera like this is a lot of work to make but I love making tools for other people to use- especially when it's for a really good friend. I was incredibly excited to see the first images taken with it. The floating egg photo is a recreation of the first photo of <PERSON>'s that I saw when we first met. It's just wonderful.
The photo of the coffee cups is in relation to a series <PERSON> has been doing for a very long time- he's been taking amazing photos of coffee cups in their natural environment all over the world. You can read a couple of interviews with him here and here.
Supplies
This is a big project and I used a lot of tools and materials to make it. 83
It involves machining, laser cutting, 3D printing, and woodworking. The aluminum and titanium parts for the frames and uprights were laser cut by SendCutSend. They are a fantastic company and I seriously could not have made this without them.
Tools used-
Lathe
Homebuilt milling machine
Bandsaw
Belt sander
Cordless circular saw
Drill press
3D printer
Spring clamps
10-32 threading die
6mm threading die (yes I'm mixing SAE and metric!)
1/4-20 threading tap
10-32 threading tap
6-32 threading tap
4-40 threading tap
Center punch
Drill bits- Use 135 degree split point Cobalt drills (with lots of cutting fluid) when drilling Titanium.
Red Loctite
Blue Loctite
Materials-
80/20 aluminum extrusion- I used 1030 series 1" x 3" for the camera base.
1/4" thick aluminum plate- I purchase most of my metals from a local metal recycler as it's far less expensive.
3/8" thick aluminum plate
Round brass rod- 1/2" and 1/4" diameter
1/4" square brass rod
1/4" round stainless steel rod
Cherry wood- I used 1/4" thickness and 3/32" thickness material I found at my local hardware store (I believe it is made by Midwest Products.) Another good hardwood to use would be walnut.
Gorilla Glue polyurethane glue
Wood glue
1/4-20 knurled brass knobs- 11 each
10-32 knurled brass knobs- 9 each
6/32 knurled brass knobs- 6 each
1/4-20 hex head bolts- 11 each
10-32 socket head cap screws- 4 each
6-32 socket head cap screws- 26 each
6-32 flat head socket screws- 5 each
4-40 socket head cap screws- 8 each
6-32 threaded rod
6mm socket head cap screws- 6 each
1/4" ACME steel threaded rod
1/4" ACME steel nut
1/4" ID x 3/8" OD bearings- 2 each
Camera parts used-
Wista 4x5 lens board- This is a very common size lens board for lenses suitable for 4x5 view cameras.
4x5 Graflok back- Graflok backs allow for an enormous variety of film holders and also hold the ground glass. They are relatively easy to find used- just search online for "Graflex 4x5 Inch Camera Film Backs and Holders". This particular one came from an old Toyo view camera. A Graflok back even allows you to use instant film- there is a LomoGraflok 4x5 instant film back that uses Fujifilm Instax Wide film. There is a nice writeup on using the LomoGraflok on PetaPixel.
Bellows- This supplier will custom make a bellows for you, just provide them the dimensions for the openings/flange size and the total extension you want.
Now let's make a camera!
Also there are notes on the photos so be sure to click on them.
Step 1: Design
View cameras can be as simple or complex as you can imagine. 582