Building My Foldable Large Format Camera

As part of my Journey Within Project, I had to build a large format camera. The Challenging part about this wasn’t the building and using the camera and trying to get everything to work, but the time I had to build this camera. The time limit I had was 2 weeks to build a functioning large formate camera. To get started I had to try out some ideas with cardboard and see what could work and see if I can get the caera to fold as well.

After many try outs and designs, I had to iliminate quite a few features and ideas to make the deadline as the main objective is to take photos of a hand built camera. On design was to have a filly convertable camera to change it from a 4x5 to 8x10, but it will get too comlex and take too much time to build. the other features is how the camera tilts. The other issue I had to think about is the size and the weight as I will be carrying it everywhere and taking it on a flight.

The first part I built was the lens mount, front of the camera, using a 150mm M.M.P lens.

After the lens fit, I build the rest of the camera, the Base, the lid and the back.

For the bellows, I did a test on paper to see if it will fit with the calcukations I have already made. Turns out I was off by an inch too small and good the I did the test.

After the testing, I used boiled linseed oil on the wood to protect it and make it look better and polished.

For the Bellows, I placed thin black fabric on the table, Sprayed it with some permanent glue, Placed thick black card on top with another layer of glue and then moee fabric on top. To let it cure, I used a large wooden heavy board as weight and to flaten the bellow. When it got cured, I drawn out the design with a chork and cut it out.

The folding was the most time consusuming part because the bellows were thick and hard to fold. But after 4 hours it was finished and glued it in place.

Making the frame was one thing, But making it sturdy was another. I used a aluminium plate to make a structure inside and in that structure this is what the bellows will attach to. The problem I have faced was it was to difficult to pull the bellows far enough with them being really springy. This made the lens spring backwards all the time, making it hard to keep it in focus. making this metal structure pull out a little would make it easier.

For the machanics, I used brass and gthis steel from a saw because it was springy and I could use it for the back whe the plates go.

After everything was assembled. Some issues came up like some parts wont fit like the plates or the lens, so chizled away some grooves, and there was a little bit of light leak. After diagnosing it, it was ready for testing and the real photos in Poland.