DIY 6x9 or 6x12 or even 6x17

Now I need some Cognac...

It's been months since I've posted a real update here but a lot has happened in that time. Busy, busy.

Anyways, my super-wide 4x5 is sitting in clamps in the basement as I write this, anxiously awaiting the first 6 shots in a Grafmatic back I'll load up tomorrow.

The approach I took was as follows:
*Used a beat up and non-serviceable Crown Graphic for the frame. I cut the Graphic down so it was 1/2 as thick front-to-back as the original camera. Looking back, I could have used the full box but that would have made building this just a little bit more like doing dental work.
*I wanted the ability to zone focus so I used a bad 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor helicoid for focusing and a 52mm metal cap for the lens board.
*Helicoid sits on a 3/8" piece of very stout plywood which fits snugly into the front of the frame.
*Plywood lensboard is set at the correct distance for infinity focus with 3 dowel rods cut to size and screwed to the back of the board.
*Film back is a Graphic spring back from the Speed Graphic I restored 2 years ago and upgraded with a Graflok back.
*Lens guards on the front are 3/8" dia U-bolts from the hardware store. The helicoid added way too much height to use even the largest available drawer or cabinet handles to guard the lens.
*Finder is a 21mm Leica 12008.
*Levels will be added tomorrow.

While I intended on making this a multi-format project, the smaller size of it and the helicoid itself precluded me from getting the fit that I wanted so I had to center the lens in the board. Now it's just a plain old 4x5 point & shoot with a 65mm lens on it.
I sealed up light leaks with door-jamb foam insulation and black silicone. The spring back just got a makeover and is completely nude right now. Aluminum and wood. I'm debating whether or not to paint it since the U-bolts give it a rougher "industrial equipment" look. If anything, it will get painted a solid color.
I haven't finished the wood on the camera yet since tomorrow I search for light leaks in the daytime with a sheet of film.
It's surprising how the Graflex cameras used a variety of wood colors in their bodies as this one has 3 distinct tones of red in it. Although the tongue and groove corners are kind of cool, the look of the wood is not really pleasing at all. The wood of the Spring back is downright ugly.
This has me thinking I'll paint it one solid color.
Maybe black paint will allow me to be less conspicuous...
I might as well paint it hot pink since it's still a large camera. Or maybe cover in copper tape.
Anyways, it was a rewarding project that took way too long due to my shutter needing to be serviced which took about a month for some reason.
I'll post photos of the ugly duckling when she comes out of the basement after the adhesives have cured.

Phil Forrest
 
I just got a Fuji SW 90mm f8 lens, and I have a Shen-Hoa 6x12 back. All I need is a helical, and the viewfinder. Guess what I'm going to build? This thread is the inspiration!
 
jon.oman said:
I just got a Fuji SW 90mm f8 lens, and I have a Shen-Hoa 6x12 back. All I need is a helical, and the viewfinder. Guess what I'm going to build? This thread is the inspiration!
Click to expand...

Goody, goody. Look forward to seeing the result.
 
Phil_F_NM said:
Now I need some Cognac...

It's been months since I've posted a real update here but a lot has happened in that time. Busy, busy.

Anyways, my super-wide 4x5 is sitting in clamps in the basement as I write this, anxiously awaiting the first 6 shots in a Grafmatic back I'll load up tomorrow.

The approach I took was as follows:
*Used a beat up and non-serviceable Crown Graphic for the frame. I cut the Graphic down so it was 1/2 as thick front-to-back as the original camera. Looking back, I could have used the full box but that would have made building this just a little bit more like doing dental work.
*I wanted the ability to zone focus so I used a bad 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor helicoid for focusing and a 52mm metal cap for the lens board.
*Helicoid sits on a 3/8" piece of very stout plywood which fits snugly into the front of the frame.
*Plywood lensboard is set at the correct distance for infinity focus with 3 dowel rods cut to size and screwed to the back of the board.
*Film back is a Graphic spring back from the Speed Graphic I restored 2 years ago and upgraded with a Graflok back.
*Lens guards on the front are 3/8" dia U-bolts from the hardware store. The helicoid added way too much height to use even the largest available drawer or cabinet handles to guard the lens.
*Finder is a 21mm Leica 12008.
*Levels will be added tomorrow.

While I intended on making this a multi-format project, the smaller size of it and the helicoid itself precluded me from getting the fit that I wanted so I had to center the lens in the board. Now it's just a plain old 4x5 point & shoot with a 65mm lens on it.
I sealed up light leaks with door-jamb foam insulation and black silicone. The spring back just got a makeover and is completely nude right now. Aluminum and wood. I'm debating whether or not to paint it since the U-bolts give it a rougher "industrial equipment" look. If anything, it will get painted a solid color.
I haven't finished the wood on the camera yet since tomorrow I search for light leaks in the daytime with a sheet of film.
It's surprising how the Graflex cameras used a variety of wood colors in their bodies as this one has 3 distinct tones of red in it. Although the tongue and groove corners are kind of cool, the look of the wood is not really pleasing at all. The wood of the Spring back is downright ugly.
This has me thinking I'll paint it one solid color.
Maybe black paint will allow me to be less conspicuous...
I might as well paint it hot pink since it's still a large camera. Or maybe cover in copper tape.
Anyways, it was a rewarding project that took way too long due to my shutter needing to be serviced which took about a month for some reason.
I'll post photos of the ugly duckling when she comes out of the basement after the adhesives have cured.

Phil Forrest
Click to expand...

How is the camera coming along Phil?
 
rickp said:
thanks for providing that link. maybe i'll try it on a dark winter night . :)) rick
Click to expand...


I have build one, considering to do the same to a regular 6x6 Holga with a 65mm Angulon lens. Perhaps I might hack a HOLGA 120 WPC WIDE to take the 65mm for a super wide 612 :)
 
Rogier said:
I have build one, considering to do the same to a regular 6x6 Holga with a 65mm Angulon lens. Perhaps I might hack a HOLGA 120 WPC WIDE to take the 65mm for a super wide 612 :)
Click to expand...

great! how about 1-2 pictures of and from the camera. i'm curious, and it's still winter here, so plenty of time to experiment :))
 
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