My design has a full range of swing, tilt and shift movements. The walnut spring type ground glass frame holder corners are mitered, glued and reinforced with 1/8" thick splines (Spline wood grain running at 45 degrees), that makes for rigid corners. Circular levels,shown on top of front and back frames, are snug fit in 1 3/8" diameter by 3/32" deep recesses. All four (4) sides of both the front and rear frames have a centered spaced recess as noted above. The camera can be inverted between my tripod legs for a worms eye photographic view. And, my circular levels still work in that position! Each recess contains a brass threaded insert and provision to attach with brass screws the ground glass holder frame or the 3/8" thick lensboard.The two photos on the left are in the landscape position and the two photos on the right are in the portrait position. The camera must be rotated 90 degrees to change positions. This is due to the rectangle shaped bellows that I used in this design.The standard one piece walnut riders (They ride on 1/2" diameter walnut standards) are reversible, compare left and right photos. Fine focusing is by rear threaded knob monorail rider. That is the reason for the extra monorail rider, see upper right photo to see portions of the black knob and 1/4" diameter brass threaded rod between the two rear monorail riders. The fine threads allow for very fine focus adjustments by rocking (racking) the rear assembly back and forth. It works great!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 01. What lens and shutter is shown in the photographs? The lens is a Schneider Symmar-S f/6.8 to f/64 aperture 360mm and the shutter is a Compur 3. It weighs about 50 oz. (1545g). Its Image Circle Diameter at f/22 is 19-5/16" (491mm).
Q 02. Where or how did you come across all of the knobs and threaded inserts (i.e. machined) parts? The knobs and threaded inserts were bought through woodworking catalogs found in woodworking magazines and on the internet. The brass threaded rod (fine focus) is a 3"+ brass threaded toilet screw available at any hardware store.
Q 03. Where can I buy these "circular levels"? They are available in the construction tools department at Sears & Roebuck. Price about $4.00 USD each.
Q 04. Did you make or buy the bellows? I bought the bellows from a seller on eBay for about $140.00 USD. I believe, the bellows were made for the Kodak 2D 8x10 view camera.
Q 05. What are you using for springs on the back? Finding or making springs are always a problem for me. I used 1/16" (1.5mm) diameter spring steel wire that I bought at a local Hobby Shop. They were formed (bent) using a vise and ball peen hammer. The only 8x10 film holders I use are 'Fidelity Elite' or 'Fidelity Deluxe'.
