Panoramic Conversion
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2006 9:32 am Etc/GMT-1+01:00
Converting an old Kodak is not that difficult in actual fact, my first conversion was very Heath Robinson, mainly because I didn't want to spend too much time and money if it wasn't very usable in the end.
I have so far converted 2 cameras, a 2a and a 3a Autographic, the 2a for 612, the 3a for 617. I describe the 617 here but the process is the same for both, the sizes simply vary.
The start for me was to enable the use of 120 film as both these cameras take the old 116 size. Both cameras came with some spools so I opted to use these on the take up side for convenience, I have 6 now so I can go out for a day and shoot a reasonable amount without too much care for running out of film.
On the full spool side I simply got some dowel (round wood at a diameter of 30mm) cut to a length of 15mm. I also put a small bolt(5mm x 7mm long) in a hole drilled in one end to sit in the location hole of the spool, These are used as spacers for the 120 spool, one top, one bottom.
In order to help film flattnes the spools were made to run slightly stiff(layer of insulating tape in the chamber that takes the spools, that "catch" the 120 spool very slightly)
I then made a mask for the rear to prevent light "rattling" around the film chamber and also to help with film flattnes.
For these cameras I simply got some stiff black plastic of about 1mm and made 2 strips, (20mmx150mm each) again top and bottom. Once glued in place against the edges of the chamber it also provides a runner for the film, I have made the masks a litttle narrower than the film, it exposes about 5.5mm. The width of the chamber is 150mm.
I had some perspex that came with a split back frame that I don't use which I made into a makeshift GG screen, cut to size and ground with some grinding paste, didnt take that long though a glass version would I suspect! I have been told that you can also do this with baking sheet glued to the screen at a push. I use the screen mainly for composition but of course you could focus with it too.
In terms of lenses I left the lens on the camera as I was happy with the focal length(170mm), this also allows me to use the focal scale on the track. I have also marked the HF point on the track.
I toyed with the idea of replacing the lens but there are some issues here that I wasn't willing or interested in dealing with on the first try! the depth of the camera could dictate the lens you can fit as it needs to fit in the body when closed (It may be possible to just remove the cells before packing down and refitting on set up, I plan to see if this is a major hassle on the next project) and of course you lose the focus scale and need to focus with a screen (can't leave half a reel of film in the camera).
The cameras are so light for LF shooters that rather then a change of lenses(I toyed with the idea of converters) I plan to make the next camera a wide angle and simply carry both in the bag.
I shall post some pics if people want to see the details if I can find my digithing( decorating and the place is a mess at the moment)
My winter project is to build another using a more permanant approach. I have found someone who will machine spacers for the film spools on both sides and I have some thin sheet metal stock for the masks. Now I just need to find a suitable lens, 110-135mm I think.
Now Ole, I have been looking at the FKD cameras on ebay, I seem to recall you commenting on them in a thread on APUG. Can they take standard film holders or must you cut the film to fit the holders that they come with? Is there a supplier of these sheet sizes in Europe?
It is the 20x24cm I am interested in.
Gari
I have so far converted 2 cameras, a 2a and a 3a Autographic, the 2a for 612, the 3a for 617. I describe the 617 here but the process is the same for both, the sizes simply vary.
The start for me was to enable the use of 120 film as both these cameras take the old 116 size. Both cameras came with some spools so I opted to use these on the take up side for convenience, I have 6 now so I can go out for a day and shoot a reasonable amount without too much care for running out of film.
On the full spool side I simply got some dowel (round wood at a diameter of 30mm) cut to a length of 15mm. I also put a small bolt(5mm x 7mm long) in a hole drilled in one end to sit in the location hole of the spool, These are used as spacers for the 120 spool, one top, one bottom.
In order to help film flattnes the spools were made to run slightly stiff(layer of insulating tape in the chamber that takes the spools, that "catch" the 120 spool very slightly)
I then made a mask for the rear to prevent light "rattling" around the film chamber and also to help with film flattnes.
For these cameras I simply got some stiff black plastic of about 1mm and made 2 strips, (20mmx150mm each) again top and bottom. Once glued in place against the edges of the chamber it also provides a runner for the film, I have made the masks a litttle narrower than the film, it exposes about 5.5mm. The width of the chamber is 150mm.
I had some perspex that came with a split back frame that I don't use which I made into a makeshift GG screen, cut to size and ground with some grinding paste, didnt take that long though a glass version would I suspect! I have been told that you can also do this with baking sheet glued to the screen at a push. I use the screen mainly for composition but of course you could focus with it too.
In terms of lenses I left the lens on the camera as I was happy with the focal length(170mm), this also allows me to use the focal scale on the track. I have also marked the HF point on the track.
I toyed with the idea of replacing the lens but there are some issues here that I wasn't willing or interested in dealing with on the first try! the depth of the camera could dictate the lens you can fit as it needs to fit in the body when closed (It may be possible to just remove the cells before packing down and refitting on set up, I plan to see if this is a major hassle on the next project) and of course you lose the focus scale and need to focus with a screen (can't leave half a reel of film in the camera).
The cameras are so light for LF shooters that rather then a change of lenses(I toyed with the idea of converters) I plan to make the next camera a wide angle and simply carry both in the bag.
I shall post some pics if people want to see the details if I can find my digithing( decorating and the place is a mess at the moment)
My winter project is to build another using a more permanant approach. I have found someone who will machine spacers for the film spools on both sides and I have some thin sheet metal stock for the masks. Now I just need to find a suitable lens, 110-135mm I think.
Now Ole, I have been looking at the FKD cameras on ebay, I seem to recall you commenting on them in a thread on APUG. Can they take standard film holders or must you cut the film to fit the holders that they come with? Is there a supplier of these sheet sizes in Europe?
It is the 20x24cm I am interested in.
Gari