Building a Camera - Pt. 1

In part 1 of this 5 or so video series of building a large format camera, I take you through the process of building the viewfinder (where you preview and compose a picture) and film back (where you load film into in order to capture a photograph).

[@HallsEmporium]

Dude that’s amazing!

[@98Kentuckian]

How this has so few views I can not understand. Such thorough and amazing work! I'm thinking of constructing my own 4x5 field camera and after watching this I think I can do it!

[@AlpineCreativeCompany]

Thank's for the kind words Jacob, much appreciated! Please feel free to share part two if you feel like it should get some more recognition! If you need any advice with your camera build feel free to give us a holler!

[@Yatukih_001]

Everyone was busy watching videos about how actors were posing as politicians, mass shooters, school shooters and so on. Meanwhile when other people were uploading videos about film and photography they did not have time to watch them.

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

Amazing work

[@yannpellan1598]

Hello from France! I do agree on the comments here: Simply amazing work! My dream… What is the size of this camera? 20x24? Would there be any possibility to buy from you the technical drawing please? I would love building one like this myself in this size and another one for panoramic like 8x20 or so . Thanks a lot

[@JimSollows]

I am a woodworker as well as film photographer. I’ve always dreamed of making my own 4x5 camera. I would love to know if there are any actual plans complete with measurements?

[@humblywaiting9043]

Can we have one custom designed by you?

[@AlpineCreativeCompany]

Certainly, feel free to reach me personally. You can find me on Instagram @themobiledarkroom

[@AlpineCreativeCompany]

Certainly, feel free to reach out to me @themobiledarkroom on Instagram.

[@Chiaroscuro1991]

I really appreciate your woodworking skills but your camera and ground glass .. plate holders are so over built. I wonder if you’ve ever handled an actual well made large format camera as a reference. All you need to do is make an appointment at a place like George Eastman Museum in Rochester, NY if you are in the US .. or the European museums that have camera holdings. You would learn a lot about functional camera design to allow you to whittle some weight off your next project.

[@csabapapp8481]

I think the same. The woodworking is nicely done as well as the capturing of it. But way too much material was used. And I still don't see how the film holder is light tight when the darkslide is removed. Even if you don't remove it completely, there will be some lightleaks. I'm watching these videos for a couple of months now to find ideas for my own build, but seems to me that nobody's showing this tiny, but important thing, the sealing of the holder when darkslide is not in place.