Re: More camera ideas and questions

["Paul A. Lehman" <palehman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Stephen Puckett wrote:

> A possibility is to use an old folder 6x12 or hack together some
> old 6x9's.  You can get 'dead' ones for under $20.  I've gotten
> several for free.  For a little more $, you can get some with
> working lens-in-shutter to hack for a project.

This brilliant idea has great potential as I think
about it. There are several old Kodaks (c1920-1940)
that have large format sizes, many for 120 film. Even
those with larger film formats are easily modified for
120 spools. Find a couple trashed examples (like
Stephen said, from $5-20), throw away the bellows and
lens (or save for future projects) and just use the
back as a film holder. The Brownie Hawkeye series opens
just this way. Find two, one for film and one to use as
a ground glass back (to allow focusing on the film
plane). Then just build a simple back for the 4x5 to
allow a slide on/slide off frame for the film holder.
I've got about 30 old Kodaks in my small collection and
will take a look at them for possible candidate
recommendations. For example, Kodak #2 folding cameras
are real real common, come to think of it, some old box
cameras may also qualify as potential modified film
backs. Sure, it may take a little hacking and glue, but
$20 vs $800, it may well be worth a try.

Paul A. Lehman