Re: Big Cameras - construction techniques

earlj@comcast.net wrote:
> Gordon:
>
> I have made large cameras out of foamcore using essentially the
> same instructions as outlined in my article in the current
> Without Lenses on making a 4x5 camera.
> http://www.withoutlenses.com/ If you cut carefully and change
> your Xacto blade often, you can make light-tight butt joints
> with foamcore. If you have a leak, it is easy to run a strip of
> black felt down the inside of the corner. The black on black
> foamcore (with the black insides, not the white) is opaque. I
> bought an Xacto brand hole cutter at Dick Blick that can cut
> circular openings up to about 6" in diameter.
>
> The biggest problem is that the cameras do not weigh very much.
> I have not had much luck with a tripod and a big foamcore
> camera. Be prepared to weigh it down or make the bottom side
> out of plywood for a more rigid mount.

When making foamcore cameras, I still like to use wood to make a
tripod mount. Something like a 2"x3" piece of 1/2" plywood, with
a hole drilled for a T-nut (I think 1/4 x 20 is the T-nut size
for (US) tripod threads).

Best practice is to first countersink a hole for the T-nut flange
with a 3/4" spade bit, then drill the through hole. Pound the
t-nut home with a hammer.

If you have a large piece of plywood, you can layout several
mounts, drill the holes for each, and then saw apart to make
several mounts at once.

Once you have your tripod mount, glue the whole thing to the
bottom of the camera. This makes a solid connection for the
tripod.

I've also made some cameras where the whole bottom is plywood,
with the rest foamcore.

Scott

-- 
Scott Sellers                |
scottsellers@mindspring.com  |
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