Travelwide 4x5

[MartinP]

Can this be 3D printed instead of injection-moulded? You could save a lot of cost , at the price of a couple of hundred grams perhaps. The helical could also be printed or printed-and-finished, but even with that part being injected, at least the moulds for the rest would be out of the cost equation. Alternatively, 3D-print the back, blow-mould the extension and injection-mould the helical?

 

[pdexposures]

Can this be 3D printed instead of injection-moulded? You could save a lot of cost , at the price of a couple of hundred grams perhaps. The helical could also be printed or printed-and-finished, but even with that part being injected, at least the moulds for the rest would be out of the cost equation. Alternatively, 3D-print the back, blow-mould the extension and injection-mould the helical?

The prototypes were 3D printed. When looking at large scale production 3D printing just isn't effective from a time standpoint.

 

[Particular]

Can this be 3D printed instead of injection-moulded? You could save a lot of cost , at the price of a couple of hundred grams perhaps. The helical could also be printed or printed-and-finished, but even with that part being injected, at least the moulds for the rest would be out of the cost equation. Alternatively, 3D-print the back, blow-mould the extension and injection-mould the helical?

I believe this is how the prototype was made. I'm sure Ben has weighed up the different manufacturing options.

 

[bensyverson]

I believe this is how the prototype was made. I'm sure Ben has weighed up the different manufacturing options.

Yeah, we have considered it. 3D printing was our first thought, until we paid for our first prototype. The cost is about $350 per unit, and they require a lot of modification. Despite being dyed black, the material is actually white translucent, so the entire inside and some of the outside of the camera needs to be covered in two layers of gaffer's tape.

If this Kickstarter fails, we may offer 3D printed versions, but I don't think we could retail them for less than $500-600.

 

[besk]

I am planning on getting the one for the 90mm Angulon as soon as I can take the time to sign up. Will try to adapt a Grafmatic to it.,

Already use my homemade 5X7 P&S with the Kodak 135 Wide-field. A lot of fun.

 

[shadowfox]

You don't need a darkroom to process 4x5! Check out The "tortilla" Method. 🙂

Even better, the Unicolor printing drum method.
Less chemical than the tortilla method (not too significant until you do this often enough), but most importantly, the result is more even.

 

[shadowfox]

Yeah, we have considered it. 3D printing was our first thought, until we paid for our first prototype. The cost is about $350 per unit, and they require a lot of modification. Despite being dyed black, the material is actually white translucent, so the entire inside and some of the outside of the camera needs to be covered in two layers of gaffer's tape.

If this Kickstarter fails, we may offer 3D printed versions, but I don't think we could retail them for less than $500-600.

Ben, first of all, I applaud you for this initiative.

Just an idea for making the translucent material light tight, have you considered an inside lining with anti-static fabrics? A short searching online brought up this http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale/wholesale-anti%252dstatic-fabric.html

Using a liner is probably cheaper than dyeing, if you make it a DIY kit version, some people would love it because you can customize the look of the camera.

 

[zuiko85]

Another question for Ben. If this takes off would you consider making and selling just the helical, mountable on a lens board, as a separate unit. That would sure be handy for do it yourself custom camera makers who want to mount a variety of optics on home made large format cameras.

 

[bensyverson]

Another question for Ben. If this takes off would you consider making and selling just the helical, mountable on a lens board, as a separate unit. That would sure be handy for do it yourself custom camera makers who want to mount a variety of optics on home made large format cameras.

As a tinkerer and camera maker, I am 100% with you in spirit. Unfortunately, making a lensboard with a helical would be nearly as expensive as making the Travelwide. The helical is really the expensive part.

If I could be convinced that 1000 people would buy the lensboard and helical, we would do it.

@shadowfox: That lining looks interesting, but I'm not sure it's easier or cheaper than taping. The dying doesn't add much lightproofing, but it gives it a nice black color, and is done by Shapeways for free anyway.

 

[jawarden]

Anyway, this camera is what it is: a tough, $99 hardbody scale focus camera that weighs basically nothing and lets you pack a 4x5 in addition to your normal camera setup. When I was designing it, the RFF community really was foremost in my mind. So I hope you guys like it and spread the word.

Bravo. This sounds like such a fun project and the camera seems to offer something new. I would never walk around town with a normal 4x5, but this thing would be sweet, either hand held or maybe on a monopod.

Good luck!

 

[jordanstarr]

I commend your entrepreneurial spirit, guys. I recently bought a 4x5 pinhole and don't like it much - cumbersome, bulky and all my shots are really out of focus. I would have bought this in a heartbeat if it was around. I'm not sure why people here are knocking your idea to make 4x5 as light and compact as possible -isn't that the same kind of philosophy rangefinders were found upon? It is impossible to make 4x5 as compact as 35mm, so why even expect that? It's not like 4x5 is going to come on rolls anytime soon and be used without holders. What sold me was your $99 price point and how quick it is to shoot with. Sure, get a speed-graphic, but by the time you unfold it, I already took 2 shots with this camera. I think it's awesome and will support it once my question gets answered (I asked on kickstarter). What is the details on the pinhole version? Do both come with a pinhole option and then you can just get the 90 or 65mm? I was a little confused by the description.

 

[jordanstarr]

...also is it really $40 for shipping to Canada?

 

[carpark]

I have been looking at the Harman Titan for a while but will get this instead as I get the best of both worlds. I already asked a question about postage to Canada on the project site.
Kickstarter dont have many shipping options so $40 is all they do. They did say about including an extra for Canadian buyers. Would love to know what it is though.
Great project Ben!

 

[bensyverson]

We haven't decided what it will be, but Canucks will definitely get a little something extra. 🙂 We understand that $40 is a little excessive for Canada, but unfortunately Kickstarter segments the world into "US" and "not US."

Regarding pinhole, all of the Travelwide cameras will ship with a precision etched pinhole. If we just barely make our goal, it may have to be a loose pinhole plate that the user can tape to the camera. If we exceed our goal, we will do everything in our power to make a custom pinhole cap with an integrated lens cap. It would look like this:

For more info, check out our first update:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderlust/travelwide-45-camera/posts/444574

 

[PatrickT]

Ben....very cool project and I'll back it sometime today.

My only experience with 4x5 thusfar is with an old, beet up, semi-working Speed Graphic that has frustrated the heck out of me. I'm hoping this will be a bit easier to use 🙂

Potentially dumb question: can other lenses be mounted on the 90 version? Longer focal lengths?

 

[zuiko85]

Thanks Ben for the information about the helical. It only makes sense that it would be the most complicated and expensive part to design and fabricate.

I love this give and take, with many RFF members coming up with ideas. Even if not economically possible within the scope of this project they furnish ideas for expansion of photography just for the fun of it.

 

[bensyverson]

Ben....very cool project and I'll back it sometime today.

My only experience with 4x5 thusfar is with an old, beet up, semi-working Speed Graphic that has frustrated the heck out of me. I'm hoping this will be a bit easier to use 🙂

Potentially dumb question: can other lenses be mounted on the 90 version? Longer focal lengths?

Thanks Patrick! You can mount many different 90s on the camera (except probably the ƒ/5.6), and possibly some other focal lengths. I believe there's an 80mm and a 100 or 110 or two that will hit infinity on the camera. You'll need to create your own focus markings, but RFF folks are resourceful. 🙂 We'll also be including a plastic ground glass.

 

[Austerby]

I have a Harman Titan and have travelled with it so can attest that a lightweight 5x4 and six darkslides is certainly practical. I took mine to Venice and with a changing bag and spare film box easily loaded/unloaded my films in the hotel room of an evening. The kit didn't take up too much room in my bag and I had my M2 and three lenses with me as well.

If I didn't already have the Harman Titan (which I love using) then I'd be tempted.

 

[zuiko85]

Yipee! The CFO has given her approval to pledge support. She even thinks it looks like a good idea and it's not even her hobby but mine.

 

[Rogier]

So far I have yet to receive anything from the 3 kick start projects I funded :-(