Large Format, Paper Negative, DIY Camera Project
- Thread starter Pete Askew
- Start date
Pete Askew
Admin
Hi Al. Welcome to RPF. You could always make a new one!! 
I have a 10x8 / 5x4 Sinar but mainly shoot 5x4 on large format. And it's certainly a lot cheaper shooting paper than film although the image quality isn't quite up to the Sinar! Yet!! 
I have a 10x8 / 5x4 Sinar but mainly shoot 5x4 on large format. And it's certainly a lot cheaper shooting paper than film although the image quality isn't quite up to the Sinar! Yet!! 
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
Welcome to the forum Al!
So what happened to the old Kodak?
So what happened to the old Kodak?
Pete Askew
Admin
Although the Mk II screen was much brighter than the Mk I, it was not possible to use a loupe so I made the Mk III. Again based on a piece of glass from a clip frame, the screen was made using a second sheet of glass and grinding paste. I used oil-based, medium-grade, valve grinding paste (as that was all that was to hand) but fine would have been slightly better. I added water and washing-up liquid to form a thinner emulsion and it only took about 10 minutes of grinding by hand to get a uniformly matte screen. Focus is much, much easier and is now accurate as can be seen in this test print (ca 6 seconds exposure) - the focus point was the larger seed pod in the bowl.
I stripped the print dryer down and cleaned it and re-shot the image. This time I scanned at 600 ppi (rather than 300) and inverted the image in PS.
Below is a detail from the area of focus.
I stripped the print dryer down and cleaned it and re-shot the image. This time I scanned at 600 ppi (rather than 300) and inverted the image in PS.
Below is a detail from the area of focus.
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Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
you are really honing this thing to perfection eh?
I cant wait to see the portraits you mention you have planned!
I cant wait to see the portraits you mention you have planned!
Pete Askew
Admin
Thanks Hamish. I really hope it doesn't end up too sharp!!
Pete Askew
Admin
I have just modified the base of the camera to improve its stability when mounted on a tripod. I originally intended to screw a sheet of ply into the recess below the camera but then realised this would cause problems with the fitment of the lens box. So instead I have added a second layer of plastic around the tripod boss and reinforced the front section and an area towards the back.
This shows the internal bracing of the rear reinforcement.
And this is the completed modification with the plate of a large ball and socket head mounted to the tripod boss.
It is not perfect but certainly more rigid and should give the extra stability I was after.
This shows the internal bracing of the rear reinforcement.
And this is the completed modification with the plate of a large ball and socket head mounted to the tripod boss.
It is not perfect but certainly more rigid and should give the extra stability I was after.
Pete Askew
Admin
On Sunday I used the camera to take real shots for the first time. The resulting scans / processed images can be found here:
http://www.realphotographersforum.com/people-portraits/4879-reclining-portrait-diy-camera.html
http://www.realphotographersforum.com/people-portraits/4880-movement-blur-diy-camera.html
http://www.realphotographersforum.com/people-portraits/4879-reclining-portrait-diy-camera.html
http://www.realphotographersforum.com/people-portraits/4880-movement-blur-diy-camera.html
Hamish Gill
Tech Support (and Marketing)
Cheers for posting those Pete
Pete Askew
Admin
And just by way of wrapping this part of the project up for now, this is the output to date!
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Pete Askew
Admin
A few extra links:
While flipping through the manual for the DIY camera, I discovered it had a macro mode so I thought I'd better try it out!
This is just about the limit of the extension possible with the camera before the lens unit falls out! It also means that there is not enough overlap to stop light sneaking through the gap and so for the actual shot I draped the focusing cloth over the camera to block any light.
This is the Mk III screen in place and for normal shooting inside it doesn't need shading...
This is just about the limit of the extension possible with the camera before the lens unit falls out! It also means that there is not enough overlap to stop light sneaking through the gap and so for the actual shot I draped the focusing cloth over the camera to block any light.
This is the Mk III screen in place and for normal shooting inside it doesn't need shading...
Calla Lily Thread 'Solarised Cala'
Just for interest, here is a walk-through of the process I'm using to create solarised negatives of a Cala Lily.
The images are taken using the DIY camera onto paper negatives. The advantage of this is that this gives a negative with very low sensitivity that allows it to be solarised without totally over-exposing the negative (modern sheet material is just too sensitive).
This is the setup used to take the image - two minutes at f/22.
...
The images are taken using the DIY camera onto paper negatives. The advantage of this is that this gives a negative with very low sensitivity that allows it to be solarised without totally over-exposing the negative (modern sheet material is just too sensitive).
This is the setup used to take the image - two minutes at f/22.
The manufacturers of the DIY LF Camera (http://www.realphotographersforum.c...format-paper-negative-diy-camera-project.html) are pleased to announce a long awaited Firmware update. This update introduces the new ultra slow focusing system plus a reinforced lens board that should significantly reduce the number of premature shutter closures. The new enhancements are illustrated below.
An overview showing the ultra slow focusing system fitted.
And a bit...
An overview showing the ultra slow focusing system fitted.
And a bit...
Those guys at DIY Cam sure know how to treat their customers. Not like the big players such as Fuji, who release an update once in a blue moon and, even then, one that is faulty! Hot on the heels of the last firmware release (http://www.realphotographersforum.com/competitions-themes/12529-diy-camera-new-firmware-update.html), the latest enhancement is delivered.
This is the highly desirable, daylight focusing hood featuring an eyesight corrected magnifier.
The basic hood provides shade...
Hot on the heels of the last firmware release (http://www.realphotographersforum.com/competitions-themes/12529-diy-camera-new-firmware-update.html), the latest enhancement is delivered.This is the highly desirable, daylight focusing hood featuring an eyesight corrected magnifier.
The basic hood provides shade...
Gary R. Smith
Well-Known Member
Your results are better than I've gotten out of the Toyo!
Have you started production in quantity yet?
Pete Askew
Admin
Not as such, Gary.
It is sitting on the floor next to a bench in the studio. I must print a locking ring for the shutter release and use it again.
It is sitting on the floor next to a bench in the studio. I must print a locking ring for the shutter release and use it again.
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