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Bulldog 4×5 camera kit
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This kit camera called a bulldog 4×5 has me interested in dipping my toe into the world of LF, well kinda, I’d be limited to paper negs as I don’t have an enlarger for that size, or a tank to develop them for that matter, for the time being anyway. What appeals is the price,€270 delivered, it’s a kit so I have to build it,no better way of getting to know a camera I think and I do enjoy tinkering,especially with free time,like at crimbo. The downside is that the body is MDF, it has some movements but probably not as much as a ‘proper’ field camera would and it’s MDF :(
I have a few backs and two lenses with shutters, an ilex 305mm F6.3, which works nicely,and a 90mm super angulon which goes through the motions but won’t fire, I’m sure I could get a lens cap and go old school,( I am aware btw that the 305 is probably too big and heavy and the 90 is probably too wide but am willing to ignore and expeirement) Neither have a lens board but I do have MDF. Anyone made/used one?
I have I should add looked on flebay etc at 4×5 camera’s and they aren’t that cheap,I mention that incase anyone says get a real one :sick
Oh,Bulldog also do 10×8 kits.Its probably ok to built, if you have some skills. I don’t know how nice to use this one is though; i remember hearing very mixed reviews on it. You should be able to pick up a nicer camera, (doesn’t even have to be the basic Shen-Hao, or Tachihara) for bulldog money. Just make sure the bellows are good.
I have bought almost all my LF stuff s/h off fleabay. It is cheap if you look. I bought e.g. an Arca-Swiss monorail 5×7 for 350, and a Speed-Graphic 4×5 press-camera for 150.
90mm should be totally fine though; it’ll be your standard wide. Sell the 305 if its too long and get a 135 and a 210, or a 150 and a 240 to complement your 90 depending how much bellows you have. Get the shutter fixed, replace it, or get another 90mm. The hat method is (barely) ok (esp. for paper) and if you have ND filters, but a shutter is of course much more convenient. Speaking of which: You’re not limited to paper: Use film (you can easily tray-develop sheet-film) and make nice contact prints if needed.
e.g. Fleebay:
two-for-one 400343613462 (need lensboards);i thought about getting one of these for a while… there are a few people on youtube who have made demos of the build and its not as simple or quite as well made as they make out… watch a few and see first
i was put off anyway, think id rather have a go at building myself altogether…
Hi Tom,
Just saw your post.
I’m delighted that you are thinking of 5×4. Just a word of warning. That’s a lot of money for a kit it together mdf camera. Remember that you live on the windiest part of Western Europe and stuff like the Bulldog (however cute to look at) simply is not up to the task except on a day without a breeze.
I just spotted this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Graphic-5×4-4×5-large-format-Press-Camera-Copal-0-lens-panel-/170950020183?pt=UK_Film_Cameras&hash=item27cd6a4c57″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;Damien is based in Ireland and while I don’t personally know him I think this is far better value for money plus you can probably collect it for free.
As regards development I use a paterson 3 tank with a Mod 45 (search on Youtube) filmholder and it works a treat. I bought the Paterson tank from Paddy Barker in Cork and the MOD 45 can be bought direct from Morgan O’Donovan through ebay or a link from Youtube. He is an Irish photographer in London and a genius.
By the way, another place where you can pick up decent used gear is the largeformatphotography forum here:
http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/forumdisplay.php?27-For-Sale-Wanted” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
although there is a 30 day period you have to wait for after you have rgistered before you can access the for sale section. It’s a great community and I bought my 5×4 camera from a guy for around €120.Here is the camera I use…it is basic and heavy but I love it,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/seoirseosial/7501273264/in/set-72157631197588640″ onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Sorry for all the links but if you need any more advice just let me know.
Regards,
George.PS…just noticed that Damien will post the camera for free.
Also here is a bit of info on the Super Graphic:
http://www.cameraquest.com/supergrp.htm” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
Regards,
George.Ye have me thinking now. I appreciate the suggestions. Ill put the bulldog on hold and see what else is available, I hadn’t considered the wind and weight,or lack of, when musing about it. I actually looked at a few Graphics on line and was tempted for a while George but they were either silly money or silly postage. If I did get one,I know I’d just have a goo for the extra movements eventually of a field or mono so I think I’ll give that one a miss, appreciate the link though. That’s great news about the film being developed in trays the fineprint, opens a door I was fearing would be fierce expensive to get into, I was assuming I’d need a 5×4 enlarger,never considered contact printing. I’m off to check out fleabay,see what’s available. Thanks again for the links and suggestions. I’ll let you’s know if something turns up.
jaysus – ye all have me thinking!
interesting posts George – plenty of food for thought.
As far as I am aware Bulldog are not selling the kit at the moment, I had been looking at the site myself only a few days ago and the option to buy is not activated.
As an aside, I recently came across Harman Direct Positive paper which is a BW positive paper that you can expose in-camera and develop in standard BW chemistry. It looks a bit contrasty from samples I have seen and a very low sensitivity of 3 ASA but it does result in a unique, one off print (mirror image). I have ordered a pack of 5×4 Fibre Base myself to try out in my own 5×4 camera.
Of all the samples I have seen on flickr, this guy seems to have achieved the best results so far.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bracanadezdic/sets/72157630774510318/” onclick=”window.open(this.href);return false;
After a look on tinternet I see my only real choice (price wise) would be a mono type like yours George, so far anyway. Their mainly used in studio and are quite heavy and cumbersome compared to a field,or so a few forums I’ve checked suggest. I think I could live with that though.
Pinhole solutions sell them chris.Well took the plunge and ordered a calumet cc 401, longer than normal bellows so my 305 will work nicely, I’ll just have to get something in the 200 range or perhaps even a 180. I’m well happy I followed your suggestion folks, even though I would have enjoyed putting kit camera together I think sturdiness would have been an issue in the end so thanks to all who replied.
dubtom wrote:
Well took the plunge and ordered a calumet cc 401, longer than normal bellows so my 305 will work nicely, I’ll just have to get something in the 200 range or perhaps even a 180. I’m well happy I followed your suggestion folks, even though I would have enjoyed putting kit camera together I think sturdiness would have been an issue in the end so thanks to all who replied.
I also purchased a Giottos MH621 quick release plate which helps me get the camera on and off the tripod quickly. It’s great. Aside from that I bought two magnetic spirit levels that I can see easily to make sure the camera is level – about €2 each.
Ok it’s a bit of a sweat carrying the camera but it’s much quicker to set up in the field than many of the folding field cameras as they require an endless amount of twiddling of knobs before you can take the picture.With a monorail you just level your tripod, clunk the camera onto it, pull the lens standard forward, pull the film standard back and you’re good to go.
Best of luck with the new camera. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
:Dfair play to you, wish i had a bit of spare cash swimming around! I’ve been borrowing a linhof monorail from college, and i have to say i like the thing very much. bit bulky but the negs are worth every bit. enjoy :D
Hi all,well the camera arrived just before Christmas, a heavy enough beast. It seems in fairly good order apart from a small crack in the tripod mount,which hopefully liquid metal should fix. I’m a little concerned about one issue though, when I loaded a filmholder the back moved. Now there is a knob on the side which I thought was to lock the swing but obviously didn’t,
but there is also a knob under both standards which I assume is to lock the standard in the normal straight position,that doesn’t seem to work either.Now I’ve had little time to play around with it so far,the manual on butkus I found doesn’t go into great detail so I could be mistaken,or perhaps the knobs just need a little lube to free them or something. I made two wooden lens boards for it,
my attempts to drill a 65mm hole in metal for the 305mm lens failed dismally. I don’t suppose they’ll last too long but they’ll do for now. Over all I’m happy with it,I know,just by the one attempt at a photo so far that it will be a challenge using it,but I’m looking forward to it.Tom,
To lock the swing there should be a black knob underneath the standard on the bottom right hand side which you can tighten. Obviously to use the swing you just loosen it again and rotatate the back to whatever position you want.
She looks great btw and what a super lens !
Regards,
George.
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