Travelwide 4x5

[bensyverson]

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

Bad luck! I think a lot of Kickstarter projects are from first-time manufacturers with unrealistic expectations about the production process.

We've already been through the wringer—we Kickstarted a physical product (the Pinwide), so we have a much better handle on it now. The dollar amount in our goal is level-headed and realistic and based on actual quotes, the CAD is done, the design has been verified, etc. As with all things in life there is risk, but we've done everything in our power to make this as smooth as possible.

During prep and production, we plan to post many updates so that there's full transparency about where we are in the process.

 

[SaveKodak]

It so great you're representing your project on RFF! It's less great that some folks feel the need to tell you what kind of camera you can make. Push your signal through the noise. 🙂

I just got back from a trip to New Orleans where I really wanted to bring my Speed Graphic with my Contax 645, Fuji GS645S, and SX70, but ultimately I knew it would require a tripod and I don't have mine cam'd so ground glass focusing etc... That was a deal breaker. This would have been perfect to bring in addition to my Contax! I don't understand how folks think this wouldn't be useful. The fotoman and other similar cameras are inaccessible because they're way more money then they're worth. This thing is priced perfectly for a body only! I can't wait to actually WANT to take a 4x5 with me biking on a sunny day in Brooklyn.

Also the pushability and overall versatility of Portra 400 can't be understated in this case. You can shoot that stuff at 1600 and get great results. And we all know Tri-X can be pushed like crazy. Combine that with a leaf shutter and you're looking at being able to shoot at 15th of a sec handheld no problem.

I'm waiting for the kickstarter to be fully funded to pick a 90mm but I'm looking at the Rodenstock 90mm 6.8 Grandagon MC, or its Caltar cousin. Looks like a good option, though ill have to modify the focus marks. You definitely started a run on Schneider 90s. Maybe in the coming months you guys could grab the popular options and do some testing? I'm not sure I understand why the Rodenstock 90mm 6.8 would have different marks than the Schneider... Is it because the Rodenstock is a much larger lens and the rear element sits back further?

Bravo on your vision dude. I think you found a perfect way to deliver a niche product to a small market of devotees, and you avoided charging a luxury tax on them, thereby keeping photography a democratic medium.

 

[rjbuzzclick]

I believe that the FAQ on your Kickstarter page is incorrect where you mention what holders you need to shoot the Fuji FP-100c or FP-3000B films. You mention the Fuji PA-145 (which is correct), and the Polaroid 500 and 550 holders (which are not correct). The correct Polaroid holder is the 405. The 500 and 550 are for different films.

I think your camera is a great idea and wish you the best with it.

 

[bensyverson]

I'm not sure I understand why the Rodenstock 90mm 6.8 would have different marks than the Schneider... Is it because the Rodenstock is a much larger lens and the rear element sits back further?

First of all, thank you for your wonderful note! I really appreciate it. When you're developing a product for long enough, you eventually start to think, "well, I think this is cool, but will anyone else?" So it's extremely gratifying to hear such positive feedback!

About the Rodenstock and/or other lenses in general: each lens design is actually a little different than the stated focal length. So if it says 90mm, it could be 89.5, or 91.3, etc. In addition to that, the design itself dictates how far the lens must be from the film to achieve infinity focus. On a simple 90mm lens, that would be 90mm, but in many wide angles, they cheat it forward so that the lens is more compatible with view cameras (which may not be able to focus shorter than 90mm). Long story short (too late), that distance ("flange focal distance") is different for each lens design.

rjbuzzclick, thanks for catching that! I was a in a rush when I posted it. It is indeed the 405 holder for pack film!

 

[Particular]

I'm not sure I understand why the Rodenstock 90mm 6.8 would have different marks than the Schneider... Is it because the Rodenstock is a much larger lens and the rear element sits back further?

To elaborate Ben's answer. I made a focussing cam for my Angulon 90/6.8 on my Technika IV. I have tried mounting my Super Angulon 90/8, and found that while the flange focus distance is quite different (the 90/8 sits a bit further forward, so I use a different infinity stop), the cam range is perfectly accurate for practical purposes.

I'm curious how on Ben's camera the infinity point would be adjusted for a different lens. Is there a stop that can be set on the helical, or would you need to mount the lens with spacers?

 

[aizan]

awesome! i think this will be a big hit with college photo departments, aside from the holga/lomo crowd.

 

[bensyverson]

I'm curious how on Ben's camera the infinity point would be adjusted for a different lens. Is there a stop that can be set on the helical, or would you need to mount the lens with spacers?

Spacers are an interesting idea. Looking at a SA, it seems like we could cheat it forward about 3mm with a spacer, which would be a good thing. However, it wouldn't get you all the way to infinity.

The focus markings will be on the camera body itself, with the indicator on the lens barrel. So if you have a different lens, you'll simply use the included plastic "ground glass" to focus at infinity, and then make a new mark on the barrel next to infinity. Then you'll be able to match the focus markers on the camera with your new mark. It sounds more complicated when I type it out—it's easy.

So you'll lose some of that close-focus capability (with the 6.8 you can go down to 2 feet / 0.6m), but a 3mm spacer would give you some of it back. I'll have to experiment!

 

[Austerby]

Just a thought but have you had any contact with Mike Walker, the designer of the Harman Titan? There's a lot of commonality in the concepts and working together may produce a finer product than working in isolation.

 

[mbisc]

I'd give it a try if I had a darkroom so I could develop 4x5 at home easily. 🙁

You don't need a darkroom for developing 4x5 film -- Jobo has (had?) a daylight tank that can develop 6 sheets at the same time. Comes with a small ramp for easy loading (can't remember the number offhand). Only downside (but I can live with that) is that you need 45 oz of chemicals. It works really well.

 

[mbisc]

awesome! i think this will be a big hit with college photo departments, aside from the holga/lomo crowd.

No, the holga/lomo crowd won't like this camera: no light leaks, and a real, sharp lens 😀

 

[rogue_designer]

Interesting project. I'll definitely keep an eye on it since I already have a SA 90 in the kit. Is the helical a quick mount of any kind? E.g. could I swap between this and a lensboard without having to remount the damn thing every time?

 

[bensyverson]

Interesting project. I'll definitely keep an eye on it since I already have a SA 90 in the kit. Is the helical a quick mount of any kind? E.g. could I swap between this and a lensboard without having to remount the damn thing every time?

Hmm, some kind of quick bayonet mount sounds cool, but it would certainly add to the complexity and cost of the camera. Also, your lensboard would need to have the same mount. We could have given the front a standard lens board mount, but it would have made the camera much larger.

Ultimately we tried to focus on keeping the cost down, which meant constantly reminding ourselves to "Keep it simple, stupid!" 🙂

 

[rogue_designer]

Heh - good plan.

There used to be a round bayonet mount for LF lenses (using a special lensboard)... I wonder if they are still made.

 

[axiom]

How soon the camera will be in production?

 

[bensyverson]

How soon the camera will be in production?

First things first: we need to raise $75,000. If we can do that, then on May 2 we'll begin waiting a couple weeks for the funds to transfer. During that time, we will meet with our manufacturing partners and figure out the final details. That's where it gets hazy. Hopefully everything goes smoothly, in which case we just have to wait around for the tooling shop to create the mold and run the first samples (which could take months).

Once we have the first 10 samples, we'll test them to verify that everything is 100% right. Then we'll do the production run. Because so much of this process is out of our hands, we can't give you a calendar date. But we've stated that we want to have these delivered by December.

Hope that helps!

 

[kuzano]

Reached 65,000 plus today

Reached 65,000 plus today

The Kicksrarter for the travelwide LF camera has reached $65,000 plus as of todey. 21 days left....

 

[kuzano]

Wow!!!

Wow!!!

Shot right over $75,000, heading for $100,000. Pledges for over 650 Large Format Cameras.

Eleven days to reach the Kickstarter Goal, and you still have 18 days to get in on this exciting project. Thanks to all who DID participate in reaching the goal.

I did not realize what a great fund raiser Kickstarter is for funding projects. WOW!

 

[Noll]

It's kind of incredible seeing these kinds of numbers! It definitely gives one a little more hope for the future of film in all sizes.

 

[Pioneer]

Maybe this is a peak at the future of film?

Maybe this is a peak at the future of film?

Maybe in some small way we are seeing the future of film reflected in this small project.

Someone has an idea for a camera. The idea makes use of new parts combined with quality used parts and can be funded for a low enough price that it can generate interest through word of mouth. The internet, through something like Kickstarter, is used to create funding and a small, but relatively significant number of cameras are manufactured and sold.

 

[JoeV]

So. I wonder how many 90mm lenses there are out on the used market, and whether their availability will be able to match the 100,000 or so cameras that might be manufactured.

Are we to assume all of these 90mm lenses on the used market have (reasonably) accurate shutters?

And then there's the matter of price inflation of the lenses. If I were bidding on this camera, I'd be looking to acquire a lens right now!

Too bad the cameras don't already come with the lens, that way a purchaser can be guaranteed a functional camera system up front.

~Joe