Topic: latest camera I have built - my version of a polaroid view camera

[Chalky]

I previously built this camera, http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=5880.0, but it was not ideal as you needed a changing bag to remove the film and focus each shot.

So, with a polaroid 600se adapter, a rollfilm and second packfilm back (thank you skorj!), some lenses, some DVD cases, some old bellows from a polaroid 800, some felt and some woodwork I remade it (version 3).

Now, you can focus on the ground glass, swop backs and shoot away with no changing bag. You can use rollfilm or pack film. you can swop lenses (I currently have a 150mm and 110mm lens in a home made lensboard from old DVD cases). It has full front movements and limited rear ones, and is great fun to use.

There was a small leak in the bellows, but the test shots came out great. (to follow).

Building cameras is much fun!



camera, roll film back and second lens



On the tripod



Interchangeable backs, pack film back shown here



interchangeable lenses, 150mm shown here



test shot of the wife

[Phil Bebbington]

Respect and well done.

I once wired a plug and drilled through the cooker cable. I am trying to build a greenhouse.

I'm crap!

[Chalky]

Thank you!

I built a green house this year with a lot of help from my dad, it was hard work, and cold! here is dad just finished...

[Phil Bebbington]

Double respect.

I have never seen  so many pieces - nightmare! Three sides done, just the door end to go and then I have to put it all together and get the glass in. I'm sure it will be all working for next year!

[Chalky]

I know, too us two whole days to complete including foundations etc. Much more work than expected. Hope it goes smooth and you have tomatoes soon! I don't yet due to stupid ongoing UK winter!

[Ezzie]

In the process of doing something similar. Mine has a 600SE body, which has its pros and cons. Hope to finish her in a week or so, not looking forward to folding the bellows.

Good results you´ve go there, I look forward to trying out movements, albeit limited, and Polaroid.

[Chalky]

sounds great, look forward to seeing a pic of your finished work too 

[Alan]

brilliant !!

i really want to do something like this!

I did a wet plate course not too long ago and want to build
my own 5x4 at some stage. . .

nice one thanks for sharing

[Ezzie]

My version at solving the same problem is nearing completion. Since these pictures were taken I´ve dismantled it and will be reinforcing the front standard. My light and svelte approach turned out to be too flimsy.

Have yet to make a focusing screen/ ground glass. Broke the glass trying to trim it to size.

I´ll open a new thread when finished.

[Chalky]

wow that is awesome!

much superior woodworking skills there and looks tidier and smaller too, I like it! look forward to seeing some results... I keep thinking of further improvements to mine but havent got the time at the moment.

I like the 'fixings' you are using to allow the movements etc, where do you source those? I just used wingnuts and bolts, much less tidy.

great stuff, might have to compare notes in more detail I think as it is great 

[Francois]

Broke the glass trying to trim it to size.

When I have to make something that uses glass, I always take it to a shop. They're better at cutting it than I am. And as a bonus, I get smooth sanded edges!

[Ezzie]

Thank you Matt. To be honest I can´t remember. I think they are from some piece of furniture or other. To be honest, the ones on the horizontal axis are too small, at least the knobs are. I will have to modify them with some Sugru me thinks.

It may look good, but there are some issues. Firstly the 600SE is quite deep, and the bellows can´t be attached inside the body, but on the front instead. This in turn means that if you are to have a bellows with a bit of pull you are out of luck wrt lenses shorter than 114mm or so. Movements on lenses shorter than 127mm will be restricted too.

Also, all the work put into filling all the cavities in the 600SE body is just not worth it. I probably used 20 hours on that alone. Lost patience and the end result could have been better. Next time around I will get hold of a 600SE back adapter and build a frame onto that.

Hopefully I can finish a ground glass in a day or two and take it out for a test.

[Andrea.]

Superb camera. Great work.

On the note of greenhouses; I saw The Crofter's polytunnels this year - before and after a Saddleback Pig walked through one of the sides. Then the gales blew the rest away. 

[Chalky]

the depth of the mount etc caught me out too, I built it to have changeable lenses, and then went to shoot the other day, and realised I can't get the lens far back enough to the back for my 110mm lens to work. I have a 127mm lens but I am yet to try that.

I used a 600se adaper, so was lucky enough to not have to do any filing, just sink some screw heads a little!

I would like to do it again (V4) with nicer wood but time doesnt allow. I also have a small light leak, think it is bellows related. Only noticed when using 3000b. Here is a shot from yesterday with it. 

I just used part of an old document folder for the GG, not that bright though. I need to get the hang of movements properly now though, and may need proper GG for that.
really looking forward to seeing your results soon.

(greenhouse - I already have a slug problem!)

edit - I tried to sort the lightleak but dont have photoshop any more since my pc blew up, and I am struggling with gimp. you may see my poor editing on the pic below, sorry!

[Ezzie]

Hiya Matt. You mentioned elsewhere that your bellows were less than light tight. So are mine, or at least that was until I found Plasti-Dip. I got hold of a aerosol can of matte black and managed to coat the inside of the bellows. I hope to real life test it tomorrow, but tests in a dark room with a torch give grounds for optimism.

Plasti-Dip is a synthetic rubber paint. Comes in many forms and colours. Some even dip their whole car in it. I on the other hand may have found a way to ensure supple, lightweight, light tight bellows if this works. If not I can use the Plasti-Dip as electrical insulation, tool grip enhancement, or redo my alloy rims

[Chalky]

Hi, that sounds awesome stuff, all my pola bellows are covered in tape. Can you get it online? Sure you can. Be interested to hear if it works and see more results. I'll post dome more when scannned.

[Ezzie]

Hi Matt.

Yes it's available online, in fact it's becoming quite popular. You'll find it is available all over.  I got it at a hardware store here at home, not bad in this backwater of the world.

And it worked too. Took this shot yesterday. Admittedly this is FP100C, not FP3000B. But I had to wait the better part of two minutes for the wind to die down, after having pulled the darkslide, before tripping the shutter. And it's tight as a mean Caledonian loan shark. I made do with one coat. It is supple and last but not least nice and matte.


Chestnut by Eirik0304, on Flickr