at it again

[blindpig]

Here I go again,I'm about 2/3 of the way through making a 4X5 sliding box camera with front and back tilts.Pretty much the same design as the 11X14 build.
Don't know if it's age related but after building and testing the 11X14 I've not used it that much and find myself reaching for a smaller camera(lazy I guess). So since I have the reflective enlarger which will handle 4X5 size paper negatives,thought why not make a 4x5 camera.
About 50 or more years ago a 4X5 Crown Graphic was my prize possession and my wife bought me a Graphic tripod which will handle the Crown but now days it seems the weight of the camera is causing the tripod some difficulty(some of the very problem I'm having with the 11X14, LOL!). Rather than find a stronger/heavier tripod,opted for the 4X5 build instead.Besides it seems building cameras is becoming one of my favorite things to do(go figure).It's been unseasonably warm here lately so am making hay while it's comfortable in the garage/shop.Will try and take a few pictures later if anyone is interested.
Don

[Barry Kirsten]

Good on you, Don. I'd love to see some pictures.

[JoeVanCleave]

Please do post project pictures, I'd love to see how it comes out.

~Joe

[blindpig]

Thanks for your interest guys.I'm staining the wood parts and finishing up the focusing screw drive so it's all apart right now.Soon as the reassembly is under way(and the various parts make sense) I'll take a few pictures. Think it's going to be lighter than the Crown buy a lot,which should help make the old tripod(and me)feel better LOL!
Spring time has the sap rising so maybe with a new lighter toy I'll get out and about and expose some paper negs.
Don

[Ned.Lewis]

Looking forward to seeing it!

[blindpig]

Finally got it assembled but not tested(hands got too cold in shop,warmer tomorrow).Here are some pics...





Let me know what you think...
Don

[blindpig]

More info:
Wood is left over pine from 11X14 build.
Sliding box is aluminum flashing.
Bag bellows is two thickness of 2mil trash bags.
Lens and board are from my Graphic.
Brushed aluminum pivots and supports from a 1/16" thick scrap piece.
Bolts and washers fished out of catch all bucket.Wing nuts will be replaced with knurled nuts as soon as I can locate them.
Focusing is by 1/4 X 20 all thread with a knob fashioned from a gear taken from a defunct printer and filled with J B Weld.
Bearing surfaces on bellows extension slides are iron on Melamine shelf edging(my only purchase thus far).
The camera is much lighter than my Crown Graphic and the tripod seems to like it,LOL!
Don

[jon.oman]

Very nice! I like what you have done. I would like to see a few images from this camrea.

[Ned.Lewis]

Homemade spring back, front and rear tilt! Very nice!
What are the springs made from?

[JoeVanCleave]

Very nice! I've found aluminum flashing to be a very handy material for these kinds of projects. The execution of the project was done very well, I like the front and rear tilt mechanisms, and the screw drive for the focus.

In fact, this is "professional" enough looking that it made me think if it were possible to have a revival in manufacture of sliding box view cameras. It reminds me that modern view cameras look like all bellows and very little camera. I can only imagine what could be done with a design like this using non-traditional materials like engineering resins.

Well done, looking forward to some images. And even a video, to demonstrate how it works.

~Joe