custom cameras
My custom handmade cameras are designed to give the photographer a solid panoramic camera capable of producing stunning, professional (film) panoramic images. With many photographers shooting film and digital at the same time, I’ve tried to create lightweight cameras that are easy and straightforward to operate in the field while being strong and durable as well as being attractive.
Cameras start with a solid base or ‘donor’ camera then have a mix of aluminum and wood panels that are held in place with aluminum bracketry, stainless steel hardware that is covered with a metal epoxy on both surfaces to insure nothing will move or shift over time. My cameras are built to provide years of service to the most rigorous professional photographer and traveler.
I am currently making a 6x12 conversions for purchase.
The camera can use one of only three lenses which are mounted in a focusing helical that is indexed for scale focusing, or zone focusing as it is sometimes refer to. The lenses are the 65mm f/8 Super Angulon, 65mm f/8 Fujinon, or the Nikkor 65mm f/4.
The Nikkor is a nice choice if you want a faster lens for more convenient handheld shooting or if you shoot a lot of slower transparency film. The Nikkor lens is the only lens of the three lenses that is mounted in a modern shutter and is multicoated. *
The camera functions like a large format camera, the lens must be cocked and tripped separate from advancing the film. Because the film is advanced using red inspection window, the camera can only shoot paper backed 120 film. Shooting 220 or 35mm film (with spindle adapters) is not possible.
The camera comes with a permanently attached Arca Swiss bottom plate. If you are not using a tripod with an Arca Swiss head, an affordable Arca clamp can be used with your current tripod head.
If you have any questions or are interested in commissioning a custom camera for yourself, please feel free to reach out, dirkfletcher@gmail.com.
*There is actually a way to get a modern 65mm f/5.6 Super Angulon to fit but requires a (reversable) modification that needs to be performed before the lens is sent to me. Reach out for details if you are interested.
