[LargeFormat] Building a 5x4

[philip Lambert]

 Though I finally traded a Linhof Technika 5 I was (and still am) interested
in building a 4x5 by myself. I am
> not so in a hurry now because of the Linhof, but I am "collecting" ideas,
> pictures and suggestions from other people's experiences.
>
Technical cameras are heavy with restricted rear movements and wideangle
limitations, whereas an alloy monorail can have identical front and rear
standards  although one is reversed so the bellows fits the back of the
front standard and the front of the rear.  For easy portability with the
camera assembled  make a divided 'rail of two sections that lock together,
one rail very short,  just long enough to carry the two standards and
compressed bellows. The zero position for all movements needs to be at least
marked, preferably click-stopped  for easy setting up. Large lens boards
enable easy construction of a sunken panel or adapters to accept lenses on
Linhof/Wista boards. A large circular lens board carrying a lens mounted off
centre enables a certain amount of additional lens movement: rotating the
board moves the lens across as well as up and down, even when the bellows
are shut tight.Philip