Home made Monorail Camera.

[brianhabby]

I made this some years ago but it has been sitting it its box under a desk for several years collecting dust. I recently found a buyer for it so dug it out.

Photos are not very good as I forgot that I didn't have any when the lady came to pick it up and had to use my mobile phone 'cause that's all I had available at the time.

Sorry no WIP pics, it was made before I met UK Workshop

Hope you find it interesting.

regards

Brian

 

[dennis]

Brian

I take it that you didnt want the corners of the box to get damaged.Pity you couldnt have used this camera to take a photo of itself in a mirror.

Dennis

 

[mr]

Brian, did you know that in my other browser window at thsi very moment is a google search for some kind of plans for camera like this - strange co incidence eh? . Have you got any plans ? What did you work from, how did you source the optics etc?

Cheers Mike

 

[brianhabby]

Dennis,

I suppose I could have used it to photograph itself through a mirror but even with its fancy movements I would still only have been able to get a shot of the front of it.

Mike,

I got the plans from a guy who used to advertise in the AP (Amateur Photographer) magazine. I think I paid a fiver for them. He died a few years ago but before he left us he started to sell a kit of parts for a baseboard version. His wife continued to sell the kits for a while after his death.

I recently saw a baseboard version on fleebay here that was home made and I think this may have been made from one of his kits. Actually it was seeing this that prompted me to look for a buyer for mine as I haven't used it in years.

I'm sure there will be plans on the web but mine was made about 25 years ago so no internet then (or not in any way that we know it now).

I think I've still got the plans knocking about somewhere, if you're interested PM me, you're welcome to them.

As far as materials, the plans called for the bulk of the camera to be made from aluminium & wood. Aluminium is readily available but I was fortunate enough to find some brass locally that gives the camera a much better look.

Focussing is achieved by means of a modified BPM Focus Slide. I've done a quick Google but can't seem to find anything on them at the moment, they may no longer be made so perhaps another candidate for fleebay.

The bellows came from a company called - wait for it - Camera Bellows. they sell a range of bellows for all sorts of cameras.

The lens is a standard large format 6" (150mm) focal length which I picked up at a local camera shop (where coincidentally, I now spend my working life).

Hope the above is of interest

regards

Brian

 

[mr]

Brian thanks for all that info, I have found some resources on various websites but no plans for the cameras as yet. It's odd that having just moved into digital photography - I've always worked with film hithertoo, I'm now looking at things which will take me back to the chemical darkroom rather than the nice clean electronic one. Definitely interested in looking at those plans if you have no further use for them.


Cheers Mike

 

[punkrockdad]

#Does it come with a pith helmet and a blunderpuss?

 

[brianhabby]

#Does it come with a pith helmet and a blunderpuss?

No but you can hide under the black cloth :lol:

regards

Brian

 

[Smudger]

Did you do the Gandolfi Brothers trick? They used to trim all screws (and there are a lot of them) for exact length so that all the slots were exactly horizontal...

They would also make a camera from your own wood. Rosewood was a favourite, as I remember.

 

[brianhabby]

Did you do the Gandolfi Brothers trick? They used to trim all screws (and there are a lot of them) for exact length so that all the slots were exactly horizontal...

They would also make a camera from your own wood. Rosewood was a favourite, as I remember.

Never thought of that. I remember it took me a good few months to build in my spare time. The wood on the monorail was mahogany but that used for the frames and focus screen holder was some other hardwood (ramin I think) that I stained to match as best I could.

The mix of that wood with the brass made it look quite good and I used it for studio work for several years.

It's not really an outdoor camera, much too heavy. However, the young lady who bought it from me said she was planning to back pack with it

Rather her than me.

Mike,

I hope you got the plans okay.

regards

Brian

 

[Smudger]

I think it looks great, but if it was me I'd keep it in the studio.

It's 5x4, I take it?

 

[brianhabby]

It's 5x4, I take it?

It is indeed Dick, and I agree with. I think she'll change her mind about back packing with it before long.

regards

Brian

 

[Paul Chapman]

Gandolfi Brothers

Gandolfi cameras are still being made, although under new management http://www.gandolficameras.com/

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[bugbear]

I made this some years ago but it has been sitting it its box under a desk for several years collecting dust. I recently found a buyer for it so dug it out.

Photos are not very good as I forgot that I didn't have any when the lady came to pick it up and had to use my mobile phone 'cause that's all I had available at the time.

I have seen FAR worse pics taken with FAR better cameras, all over the 'net.

A little knowledge on the part of the camera operator goes a long way.

Nice work!

BugBear

 

[kafkaian]

I love this. Well done!