So, I’ve posted my 8×10 camera on several photography groups and I’ve gotten a lot of interest. I figured I’d do a little write up for anyone that wanted to know more about the camera as well as see some images of the building process.

The Idea

After about a year and a half of shooting with a 4×5 camera, I inevitably wanted to go bigger. A quick e-bay search turned up cameras that were way out of my budget. So, the very next idea I had was along the lines of “well, I could probably make my own, right?”

I began to research all sorts of cameras, how to make bellows, film holders, the lot. It was quite a large, complicated undertaking. My main concern was if I could make a light-tight film holder with the limited skill and tools at my disposal.

Eventually, I came across an article that detailed an “instant” box camera. This was the Afghan box camera. A self-contained camera and dark-box that resulted in a printed image. It was the answer to all the complications I had, and I was in love with the concept.

Planning

Many, many articles, blog posts, YouTube videos and Instagram DM’s later I had a plan in mind. I wanted to make the process as streamline as possible. Unlike the more traditional afghan cameras, which use paper negatives which are then re-photographed to create a positive image, I planned to use a direct-positive paper, removing one large step of the process.

After some digging, I chose my lens: a Russian Industar-37 300mm f4.5. next, was to measure a reasonably close focus distance to factor that into the final dimensions of the camera. I knew I wanted to have close focus when shooting 8×10 portraits.

For a quick test, I used an old cardboard box and cut a hole in the front. I measured out the focus distance with a sheet of regular paper and managed to get it within about a meter. I could have, in theory, gone closer, but that would have added length to an already sizable camera.

The build

With the rough plan now on paper, I took the outlines to my grandfather. I had mentioned I wanted to build a camera and he was interested right from the start. With his make-shift workshop set up in what used to be his garage, we got to work.

Day 1

On the first day, we went out to buy the wood along with some additional materials. We bought a large piece of plywood from a construction company nearby and had it delivered an hour later. This day was mainly cutting the wood down to size and getting the necessary holes cut out.

Day 2

The second day of the build was a pretty big one. In the days leading up to day 2, I had tried to sand down two pieces of glass for the ground glass but ended up breaking one and just mildly scratching the other. I found a post on a forum where a guy used frosted tape on a sheet of clear glass as a replacement for a screen he had broken. I tested the idea and made myself a scotch tape viewing screen using the glass from a picture frame.

 

The rest of the day was spent mounting the lens, nailing panels of the box together and testing out the internal focusing mechanism. We opted to use drawer sliders for the focusing plate, rather than the traditional wood/metal rods. This was mainly because they were already in my grandfather’s spares box and the fact that it was a much simpler install. Later, I found that this also helped accessibility when moving the developing trays in and out of the camera.

Once we finished setting up the rails, we were pleasantly greeted with the first image the box camera would produce, visible on the wood of the focus plate. It was a great thing to see.

Day 3

Before day 3 began, I had gone to a framer to make what would be the film and ground glass holder. I had them make two identical ones which will be swapped out in the field when changing between formats. The first shooting the full 8×10, the second with a matte for 4×5 paper.

On the agenda for the third day was to get the ground glass/film holder into the camera along with all the internal work and lid.

Once the “ground glass” was in, we could clearly see the lens’ resolving power at full scale. I had used ground glass before with my 4×5 but at this size it was stunning. Even though it was though a piece of glass and scotch tape!

Day 4

Day 4 was mainly just the finishing touches. My grandfather had attached the focus pole while I was away. After a coat of stain and varnish, we applied the foam seals that run around the lip of the lid as well as the rear door, making it a more light-tight.

Here is also a little demonstration on how I swap from a full 8×10 to a frame with a matte for 4×5. This in the future can also be swapped for any format. 4×6, 5×7, etc.

Day 4½

This was to add on a little peephole to visually check the development of the photograph. With a red filter on the back of the camera, I’m able to see into the box, without fogging the paper. I also cut out a matte for the 4×5 holder and installed a sleeve for my arm, which I made from an old pair of jeans.

The camera was now complete!

The first image

I didn’t have anyone around to photograph so, like many artists I decided to try my hand at still life first. I set up the camera outside, loaded the film and nervously took my first 4-second exposure. I opened the lid after a long couple of minutes and was relieved to find a nicely exposed piece of paper. The camera worked!

Human trials

After the first success, I couldn’t wait to take a self-portrait. The only problem is the lens does not have a shutter, and I employ what I’ve heard being referred to as the “top-hat” method to make an image. So instead, I focused on a place holder (in my case a broom), loaded the film, and told my girlfriend to remove the cap for the metered 5-second exposure. She was bang on the money and it resulted in one of my favorite images of myself. Another success.

Real-world testing

A few days after, I wanted to put it out in the real world. Get used to a quicker workflow and get some interest in the camera we had built. I organized an impromptu portrait session at a local café and a couple of friends and family showed up to get their portraits taken. I learnt a lot from the session and managed to streamline the process a little more.

Results from the shoot

About the Author

Antoine Loncle is a Malaysian-French photographer working through expanded methods of documentary. Often using analog processes and materials, his work originates from investigations into his sense of self and personal/cultural identity. You can find out more about Antoine on his website and follow his work on Facebook and Instagram. This article was also published here and shared with permission.