Author Topic: Travelwide 4X5 Kickstarter (Read 9640 times)

Chris A Fraser · « **on:** April 02, 2013, 07:29:17 PM »

I have been following this thread on another forum, and they just launched a Kickstarter. Looks really interesting!I just backed for one of the earlybird prices.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderlust/travelwide-45-camera

Thought it may be of interest to a few people.

LT · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2013, 08:40:22 PM »

Great stuff! But I know of someone who might be more than a little bit peaved by this though!

Chris A Fraser · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2013, 08:41:54 PM »

Uh oh!!!!! They beat someone to the gate?

moominsean · « **Reply #3 on:** April 02, 2013, 09:21:54 PM »

Kinda cool, but not really needed when you have a crown graphic, I guess.

Yglotte · « **Reply #4 on:** April 02, 2013, 09:27:09 PM »

I would love to know if it could use a Polaroïd Back!

Chris A Fraser · « **Reply #5 on:** April 02, 2013, 09:32:43 PM »

Yglotte- Yes it can. They have designed the spring back to take most modern backs. Though from what they have said you would need to remove the springs to use a roll film back.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #6 on:** April 02, 2013, 09:36:19 PM »

I think it's cool to use moulded materials.

But I never tire of reminding folks they could always build their own.

IMGP4269 by Sandeha Lynch, on Flickr

charles binns · « **Reply #7 on:** April 02, 2013, 10:14:22 PM »

Quote from: Leon on April 02, 2013, 08:40:22 PM

Great stuff! But I know of someone who might be more than a little bit peaved by this though!

Ilford??

Francois · « **Reply #8 on:** April 02, 2013, 10:20:17 PM »

Probably.
For one, I like the "bulletproof" like design... It gives me the feeling that it's not something you're scared of damaging in some way.

ambaker · « **Reply #9 on:** April 03, 2013, 01:27:04 AM »

Interesting project. I hope they succeed. I doubt that Ilford is upset. If these guys manage to bring it to market, they will be providing additional customers for Ilford.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

DonkeyDave · « **Reply #10 on:** April 03, 2013, 05:45:00 AM »

I imagine Chris Walker might be a little upset. Its very much a titan with a helicoid. However I have a crown graphic which isn't dissimilar in weight and has a nice ground glass/movements and the lenses fit inside a nice box structure, they can be had for very little on the bay.
The elephant in the room is that travelling abroad with film is a pain, and travelling with 4x5 film (+holders, change bag) is even more of a pain.
Hope they do well, anything that promotes film has got to be good.

Ezzie · « **Reply #11 on:** April 03, 2013, 06:14:52 AM »

Quote from: Sandeha Lynch on April 02, 2013, 09:36:19 PM

I think it's cool to use moulded materials.

But I never tire of reminding folks they could always build their own.

IMGP4269 by Sandeha Lynch, on Flickr

Very true, building your own isn't that difficult

DIY 4x5/6x12 P+S version 0.4 front by Eirik0304, on Flickr

Having said that, a 65 version would be nice

LT · « **Reply #12 on:** April 03, 2013, 08:27:36 AM »

@Dave - it's mike Walker

It's not ilford, no. It was someone who already has something similar in development. Helicoid focusing and all.

Chris A Fraser · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2013, 11:57:03 PM »

Not that I think Titan will care even now (they already have brand recognition), but with each camera a pinhole is now included.

I think that this is (much like the Titan) aimed at the people who are not so handy with the tools. Not to offend. I would be the first to put myself in that category.

jojonas~ · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2013, 05:54:30 AM »

nice to see interest for cameras like these building up

and I WAS wondering what wanderlust has been up to since they released their pinwide.

exciting times for sure~

soeren · « **Reply #15 on:** April 04, 2013, 11:57:47 AM »

Quote from: Chris A Fraser on April 03, 2013, 11:57:03 PM

Not that I think Titan will care even now (they already have brand recognition), but with each camera a pinhole is now included.

I think that this is (much like the Titan) aimed at the people who are not so handy with the tools. Not to offend. I would be the first to put myself in that category.

I think youre right, l fit in that catagory too after trying to build the Sandeha Lynch camera and failing twice and I must say Im tempted to buy one if the price is right.
Best regards

DonkeyDave · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2013, 02:17:16 PM »

@Leon,I know what I meant ;-)
not the Dave Walker of engine building and ECU management fame then...oops

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #17 on:** April 04, 2013, 04:55:41 PM »

Don't blame yourself, Soeren. Woodwork ain't for everyone.

John Robison · « **Reply #18 on:** April 07, 2013, 03:48:23 PM »

I've bought in. The helical is key. I think a lot of lenses from about 135mm and less can be used with home made extension tubes. I asked them if they would consider supplying just the helical (mountable on a lens board) and the reply was that the helical would cost almost as much a the whole camera. If this is successful and the tooling is already made then, perhaps they would consider offering just a helical.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #19 on:** April 07, 2013, 04:03:17 PM »

Helical extensions for M42 sometimes come up on eBay, though they're not cheap. I was just thinking that you could hack the helical from a Wembley Arti-Six. Bakelite and tinplate.

Ezzie · « **Reply #20 on:** April 07, 2013, 07:13:14 PM »

The camera, helical included, is a darn sight cheaper than the helical on my 4x5 P+S. It really is a bargain.

John Robison · « **Reply #21 on:** April 07, 2013, 08:08:30 PM »

Quote from: Ezzie on April 07, 2013, 07:13:14 PM

The camera, helical included, is a darn sight cheaper than the helical on my 4x5 P+S. It really is a bargain.

That's what I'm thinking. If this takes off and the camera is available after they have completed the initial distribution, then I'd probably get another one just for the helical.

Chris A Fraser · « **Reply #22 on:** April 14, 2013, 07:02:20 PM »

They hit there mark yesterday by noon, and are now past there first stretch goal of $85 000. Looks like a few of us will be getting this camera.

Nigel · « **Reply #23 on:** April 14, 2013, 07:29:13 PM »

I chipped in my 99 bucks a while ago it's great news they seem to be successful. I may start to think about getting myself a lens in that case. The lens they recommend is the Schneider Angulon 90mm ƒ/6.8, as this would be my first foray into the LF world I don't really know much about them, I did the obligatory eBay search and come up with nothing. Can anyone give me an idea how much I should expect to pay?

Ezzie · « **Reply #24 on:** April 14, 2013, 08:23:37 PM »

I would say, until this project came along, $125-175 somewhere. Now that 600 odd people will be on the look out at the same time one might see a big hike in prices. My main motivation for not yet joining the bandwagon. I tried to get one just this weekend, and not a good one at that. Sticky slow speeds et al, and it went for $175.

Other 90´s can be applied it would seem. Though not the hefty ones with really big rear elements (like the Super Angulon f5.6 for instance). The helicoid infinity setting can be adjusted to adapt for lenses with different flange back registers, (all 90´s differ, as much as 10mm, from under 90mm to over 99mm). Those with longer flange back distances will as a result however loose a bit at the other end, not attaining as close up focusing as those closer to the nominal 90mm.

Ben states that the the following lenses could also be adapted, having in mind that some will loose more up close focusing than others:

Schneider Super Angulon 90mm ƒ/8
Nikkor SW 90mm ƒ/8
Fujinon SW 90mm ƒ/8 (my trusty lens already put to use on my 6x17 and 4x5 P+S - mounted in a helicoid)
Caltar 90mm ƒ/8
Rodenstock Grandagon 90mm ƒ/6.8
Caltar 90mm ƒ/6.8

Also note that most of these are bigger and heavier than the diminutive Angulon f6.8, and would have an effect on the balance of the camera.

Nigel · « **Reply #25 on:** April 14, 2013, 09:08:00 PM »

Thanks Ezzie, I did have some concern that it might push the prices of the lenses up, but hey, in for a penny in for a pound. I'm sure I'll get something if I start looking around.

Urban Hafner · « **Reply #26 on:** April 14, 2013, 09:24:17 PM »

Oh, I'm in, too! Seems like we will see more 4x5 here in the future

I also don't have a lens, yet. But I do hope prices will go down again and then I can get one for a decent price.

Mike Crawford · « **Reply #27 on:** April 15, 2013, 10:00:11 AM »

It's a great idea and of course always glad to see new ideas for film cameras, but am I the only one who would prefer it with a 150mm lens? Still, I expect it will be somewhat lighter than my solid metal MPP!

DaveP · « **Reply #28 on:** April 15, 2013, 05:29:50 PM »

With a 150 you're more likely to run into focus problems, i.e. not being able to focus accurately enough when guessing focus, you'd probably end up stopping down a lot more to compensate. A fixed box 150mm camera would be well bulky too, a long as it is wide.

Sandeha Lynch · « **Reply #29 on:** April 15, 2013, 08:49:34 PM »

I actually made one for a 135mm, fixed focus style, but that was already too long to be a handycam.

John Robison · « **Reply #30 on:** April 16, 2013, 02:39:02 PM »

I've built a 4X5 box camera using 1/4 inch hobby plywood. It has a 130mm f7.7 Kodak Anastigmat from a 1930ish Autographic mounted. The original film diagonal was 127mm but the lens seems to cover 4X5 without too much fall off. Focusing is only to 6 ft. with front element focusing, not as close as I like but the lens was free and plywood and glue are cheap. Although mine weighs about 2X what the TravelWide 90 comes in at a side grip with cable release makes it easy to handle. So far I've only used paper negatives to test focus and set up the camera.

Now I'm looking for a wider field of view and backed the 90mm version of the camera. About 8 months to wait but that will give me time to search out a 90mm lens and stock up on some Ilford 4X5 film.

16mman · « **Reply #31 on:** April 19, 2013, 02:17:19 AM »

I shot 4x5 with speed graphics in school and got hooked. Then I graduated, and I've really been more of 35mm guy ever since.

I heard about this new camera and cheap x-ray film and ceffenol all in one night. Threw my money in that pot quick. Looking forward to getting it, even if I have to wait till December

John Robison · « **Reply #32 on:** April 28, 2013, 04:50:27 PM »

Well, they have hit 1000 cameras! With 4 days to go. Still on my search for a 90mm lens but I will have several months to find one.

Chris A Fraser · « **Reply #33 on:** April 29, 2013, 04:29:49 PM »

Yeah I was hoping to find my lens yesterday at a local swap meet. Two there one went fast and the other sat there all day way past what i am willing to pay for the lens.

Chris A Fraser · « **Reply #34 on:** May 02, 2013, 03:46:57 AM »

Last 12 hours or so left... And someone just backed out of a 65mm version with a lens. Just incase someone was interested, but didn't want to hunt for a lens.