Last added to on February 20, 1997. ...
A few years ago I picked up an old, homemade view camera, three film backs (4.75 by 6.5 inch) and a Ross 10inch F4 brass barrel lens. Bought a box of sheet film, and had a great time with it. Moving from 35mm to MF shows you first hand the importance and difference in a larger negative. It is somethign you just have to experience for yourself.
The main thing that stopped me from moving into LF was the cost - untill I found the Bender view camera kits. Ordered in January of 1997, my kit for the 4x5 cost me $229 US dollars plus shipping. I also picked up used a Kodak EKtar WF 135mm F6.3 lens.
The Bender Camera
For 90% of the kit, I like the Bender camera. My main complaints are the small hooks provied to both hold the front lensboard and rear film holder in place. Both of these I replaced.
Front of the Camera
Here you might be able to see two small, black plastic tabs used to hold the lensboard in place. if I have doen my job well, you will not be able to notice them.
On top is my Nikon eye lupe. More expensive than what I wanted to spend, but if like me you need to wear your glasses to focus, a loupe with long eye relief is need, and this Nikon loupe was the chepest "good loupe" i could find.
The wood was stained with "Old Masters" cherry stain, and then finished in several coats of Tung Oil. A lot of what is sold as tung oil is mostly solvent anymore. Real tung oil is extremely thick, much like molasses or treacle. It gives a nice soft finish, and is easy to repair.
I also added four small brass corners on the front. More than just decorative, corners on anything is the place most wear occurs.
Back of the Camera
I used small brass hooks (seen on the left side closest) instead of the little "L" screws provied, and they work just fine. Also, I do not like acluttered focusing screen, so I drew on only 4 lines. Finally - the spot in the centre. An old copy of a Popular Mechanics photography book had a "reader's hint" that I used.
Taking an ever so small amount of mineral oil, and a round rubber "O" ring, I placed the ring in the middle of the glass, and using a cotton swab on the glass, made myself a small focusing window, that works rather nicely
more to come....