[mysteryscribe]

I like large format cameras now that I am retired and the studio passed on to my son in law. I built a 4x5 on an old polaoid 250 frame not much to it really and certainly not much to look at. Made the back out of a hank of hair and a piece of bone. got myself a kodak 3a, then robbed the lens. I did have to buy a couple of film holders. Camera works pretty good. Oh yeah, I use a bit of plexiglass scrubbed with a fine emory cloth as a focusing screen. total cost well under $50. It was as much fun to build as it is to shoot.

Stuck a 105 aniston lens from a kodak tourist onto a polaroid 80b and then a graflex roll film holder on the rear. Made a passable medium format camera. I have a 127 wallensak lens rom a polaroid 110 on a 250 frame a graflex roll holder for a really nice 120 camera but it is a little larger than the 80b and more clunky looking.

I even made a five by seven from a polaroid 250 using the rear element of a B & L rectiliner element on the front of the lens. Shoots a passable 5x7 image.

So large format and good quality medium format cameras dont have to cost a fortune. Of course I could have bought a good speed graffic for what I have investing in learning how to do this. I have one of those to by the way, but it was a gift. I certainly wouldn't buy one.