I have made several 4x5 cameras, and wondered about making a lighter field type camera. Since I had already had the roll film back for the 4x5 and other cameras, it could be easily adapted. This camera has all the functions of its larger brothers and probably more than is required. Pictured below is the first try at producing a small field camera.
This camera is a double extension version, made of cedar. I had cedar at the time, it has a straight grain, very light and I like the colour. The bellows measures 70mm and 240mm extended and the camera without lens weighs 1.25 kg. As pictured the length of the bed is 150mm, width is 140mm and height of the rear standard from the base is 180mm
You may have noticed the white tape under the lens. Its a label with the actual shutter speed for that lens. I made a small shutter meter to check the shutter speed, which by the way are not very accurate in the high ranges. As in my 210 f/5.6 lens the speed 1-1/30 are good, 1/125 & 1/250 = 1/60th.
At the minimum focus distance of 70mm, the bellows has very little flexability. If I were to use a lens of 70mm and shorter, a bag bellows would be a better choice.
The 6x9 roll film insert, is pictures above. There is enough drag from the waxed wood surface to prevent the film from unwinding. The film back can be rotated for both horizontal and vertical images
There is ample rise/fall of the front standard as well a 15' swing
Some detail images of the rack and pinion drive of the movable front standard.
The socket for mounting the camera to a tripod is undercut into the base of the camera. It has been drilled and taped for 3/8"x16tpi
As can be seen the camera is rather small. I had originally designed it to fold. However when I was finished, the camera was not too bulky. As a result of this I bought an inexpensive case and the camera sit ready to be used in it.
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