Covering the film chamber door

It is nothing to do with the function of the camera, or the quality of the optical performance, but only personal pursuit from good to excellence.

Prototype of the Byron I made, most of the images in my blog taken from it, no one ever criticized about this, a significant sign beneath the covering of the film chamber door.

Original  there was a big extruding switch for instant film process, for simplify the outlook, this useless switch was mill flat, and a thin layer of steel plate was pasted to block the hole left, thus the plate leaves its trace when covered by leatherette.

Yes, it is nothing to do with the functions, and no one ever said anything about it, but I myself feel very annoyed by this, like a big pimple on a beautiful girl's face.

Determined to take it off, what my plan is to implant the thin steel plate, leave no trace of it on cover.

Cut off the back door, leaving the part we need, then not only mill the extruding switch flat, we made a little deeper, a square ditch for the plate. Left one need to be cleaned of the glue that left.

With thin layer steel plate and AB glue for metal, the hole is covered.

But there are still some tiny rivet holes and gaps on the surface, so before covering, some places need to be puttyed, and sand to flat.

Well, it is easy to say, but all procedures took lots of time, but that worth it. the result show beautiful smooth surface.

Rejoin it to the camera, you can see that the covering shows its quality, no trace of the plate, keep outlook low profile and simple.

Keep improving it!

So much investment in the place you won't notice........

For making Byron an interchangeable lenses camera, many modifications need to be done. Bellows as example, is a must. None of other 110B conversions replace bellows as I do, besides simplified the jobs, I think that they don't provide lens interchanging ability is another reason.

Front standard need to be drilled into 48mm in dia.

To maximize the size that lens could be directly mounted on the front standard, I need to re-design the bellows, and the front plate of bellows, for those modern lenses always are big-rear element in size, compares to those vintage lenses, whose rear are tiny. Original bellows front plate has a diameter 36mm hole, just the size for #0 shutter thread, that is fine for those lenses with tiny rear element, like Ysarex 4.7/127. But when a modern lens is mounted, their rear element are bigger than 36mm, you need to screw off the rear, mount the shutter with front element, then screw back the rear, I call this in-direct lens mount.

Original bellow front plate hole is 36mm in dia.

Well, if I am not picky, or trying to keep the conversion simple, I can leave the bellows as it is, so I don't have to replace the bellows, and certainly no need to re-design the bellows front plate.
But it will be a pain in the ass for my clients, if they try to use any modern lenses. Apo Symmar 5.6/150, as example, got a 46mm in diameter on rear element, so each time a Byron owner use it, he needs to in-direct mount it on. Screw off the rear, mount, screw back......Just think that scenario, especially on street, or in field!! That drives me nut!

 new plate on top of the old one, 48mm vs. 36mm

48mm in diameter, this is the maximun size I can get from new design bellows and front plate, for a modern lens to directly mount on. only 12mm add, compare to it was, but at least some modern lenses can be directly mount on the front standard, and that is the limit I can push for Byron.

Apo Symmar 5.6/150 can directly mount by new plate.

I myself made bellows, so bellows won't be a problem, it is the bellows plate that bothers me! It is used to fix bellows front end to front standard.
A tiny steel plate, very thin, with some holes on it, that's it. But when I asked my mechanist to make some for me, they answered "NO"!
Why? it should be an easy and simple job, just cut into the plate and drill some holes, what's the big deal?
The big deal is, it is too thin for handmade, it can be made only by pressing machine, and pressing needs molds. All needs are three molds, not one.
And molds cost money.
If it is in economical scale, says we are going to produce 50,000 pieces, molds cost is nothing, easily share into each piece.
But what I need for this, 500 pieces the most, I doubt myself even if I can make 200 Byron in my whole life. So the cost for molds became expensive, and also to each plate.

To invest, or not to invest?

You know the answer, but you won't notice....it is just a tiny plate hide behind the front standard...

(24/11 Add...)

Then there are some particular screws, needed for Byron. Lens board needs two screws, the smaller one for fixing the lens, and the bigger one for locking the board, as you can see in the image below, the bigger one was later replaced by black ones outside the rim, considering the reflection of surface in bllows. They all are not industrial standard size, meaning? Special Order.

Not only lens board needs special screws, also does the sliding lock.

These screws are not hard to make, to the screw factory, actually they can make any screw just you draw it on the paper, the problem is the quantity.

Here are the conversations after I send the drawing to the factory, the salesman called me:
"Hi, I saw your drawing, would you tell me your company is?....."
"Well, I don't have a company, I just want to order some screws for my old camera."
"OK, no problem, how many screws do you want?"
"200."
"200 kilo gram?"
"No, 200 pieces"

click, the line is off.

Then I become smarter.
"Yes, I am in R&D department of my company, we need some screws for pilot run, you make 500 sample to me first!"
"We will made 500 pieces for you to test run, could you tell me the quantity for following order?"

click, I hung up the phone.

Factory told me, whenever they start the machine, at least 5000 screws made in first minute, so often they refer the quantity in weight, not pieces. Finally, I beg my friend who works in a famous computer company, as a mechanical engineer, use his connection to FORCE screw factory made these screw for me.

The cost? I'd rather not to think about it.

Byron is so accumulated by many un-noticeable improvements, bringing it into a 4x5 rangefolder of excellent, of my proud.

X'mas conversion is on the way

Hope to finish these conversions and send them home by Christmas. The left one is a J-66, for myself, to convert it into a wide angle 4x5 snap shooter, for 47, 58,and 65mm lens.

Three Tripod Sockets

In my own opinion, that a camera equipped with only one socket for tripod is a stupid idea for the purpose of mounting securely. One socket provides as a pivot for camera to rotate, only the friction that between the base and the quick release plate stops it from turning, so you have to screw it really really really tight, tight enough to leave scratches and scars on base, but still that doesn't guarantee camera from turning around, especially on heavier camera, like Linhof Technika IV I owned. I can't stop thinking why the designers in Linhof not awaring this problem, just one socket for this heavy brick?!! Do they field test the camera or not?

Maybe I am too picky, or think too much, but there are many quick release plates smartly designed with two supports, so camera will really securely sticked with the plate, there is no way you can rotate the camera, even if screwing not so tight.

This has to be accomplished by a matching camera base, with two sockets, one for screw, one for support. So I decide to make one more socket accompanied by the screw socket, that will bring us more secure support.

Remember to use the quick release plate with two supports!!

And then there is another similar situation, when you use a bracket or an accessory plate, one socket of such a long arm is not enough, one more socket for screw is necessary, so there I go, another 1/4 screw socket at side for it.

So Byron has three sockets on base, two as a pair, and another one for bracket.

I think those heavy cameras should all do the same design as well.

** There are enough new updates on Byron to release version 2 ""something you should know about Byron 4x5 rangefolder camera", but this time I would like to know who is interested in it, so please write to me for it, I will send it to you when released.

Locking Clip For Front Standard

This is a design for a problem that other 110B conversion never touched, they don't provide lens interchangeable abilities.
110B front standard is designed for Ysarex 4.7/127mm lens only, it is tiny and lightweight, equipped with a powerful spring, it stands rigid when bellows pulled out for snaps, and fold flat while bellows pushed back and door closed.
I emphasize "rigid" because that depends, if the lens is a lightweight one, like Ysarex 4.7/127, Angulon 6.8/90, Symmar-S 5.6/100, Apo-Symmar 5.6/150, or Apo Ronar 9/150, weighted around 200g, that spring standard is "rigid".
But when 110B converted from a fixed lens into a lens interchangeable camera, it is possible for user to mount a much heavier lens on it, will the spring front standard hold it well?
This is the original front standard

With a lightweight lens like Symmar-S 5.6/100 (185g), standard support firmly keeps lens stand vertically, even we lean the standard forward, it bounce back right away.

But if we mount a Super Angulon 8/90 (363g), the spring is not able to keep standard vertical so firmly, if we lean the lens, the standard will not bounce back.

To solve this problem, months ago I tried to use two round plates as "Stop" to keep support from sliding, so standard wouldn't lean forward, it works, but awkward to operate, so it was abandoned.

Then I ask spring factory made locking clip for me, according to my design, there were several versions, finally I picked the one below in the image. Made in Dia. 2mm steel thread, very strong.

Locking clip set will hold the support extremely tight with the standard, keeps it at the vertical position without any movement. When you press the clip down, it  "click" locks the support, you know it is locked.

This clip is for heavy weight lenses, you don't need to use it when the lens is tiny and lightweight, but I think always locking the support is a good habit, since it is so easy to operate, why not?
When you finished snaps, want to fold up the camera, pull the clip up, it will hide under the shutter nicely, wouldn't bother any operation and storage.

Detachable Eyecup

For fun again!

A detachable eyecup, made in rubber, improve viewing contrast, the cup can be folded when not in use, or detached. And the cup can be rotated for right/left eye.
I mount a roll film back, the thickest one I have, eyecup perfectly help me to block out light noise around, more clear and contrast viewing!

Ground Glass Panel

Just for fun, I decided to make a hood for my ground glass, but in my way.

I intended to make ground glass a separated part, since Byron is designed for snap shots, a ground glass is not a necessity, but occasionally when it is treated as a view camera, then you need a ground glass. Most of time I left it at home, when I knew today my Byron is a snappy, no chance for viewing.

It share the same size of a double sided dark slides, almost. Made in bakelite, following the ISO standard dimensions, equipped with Fresnel lens, this ground glass is bright in viewing.
It is for Graflok system, not only Byron, any view camera with Graflok system can install it, I put it on my Linhof Technika IV without any problem!

 
The hood, is in thin plastic sheet, matte black, I cut them as paper card, I used do package designs when in computer company, so to me it's like back to the old time.

When hood is folded up, it protects the surface of ground glass, also prevents dust or scratches of  lens. Maybe I should make a sleeve for it?

 

I am glad that I was wrong!

Today I received two parcels from Germany, a customer sent lenses for his Byron, one is a Rodenstock Grandagon-N 4.5/75mm in #0 shutter, I knew that Byron can handle 90mm lens quite safely, but never tried a 75, because I did not own one.
Discussed with my German pal and we decided to give it a go, why not? If Byron can not take it, just return it, we lose nothing!
But it did! Byron handles it quite well! by inspecting on ground glass I saw that image is just at the edge of the camera bed when focus to infinity.

YEAHHHHHHH!

I am glad to announce that I was wrong! Byron can handle the lenses in focal range from 75~150mm, not 90~150mm!!
Way to go!! Byron!
Will make field test in these days.
This is a good reason to update " Something you should know about Byron" into v2.0

(03/11 ADD)

Taking picture on roof top this morning, with 75mm lens and Fuji PA-45, to see if Byron can handle this lens perfectly or not.

Conclusion: not so.

Rodenstock Grandagon 4.5/75, PL lens, FP-100C 45 instant film, f11, 1/30sec
Image area in FP-110C 45 instant film is 117.5x88.5mm, slightly smaller than 120x90mm, but it shows about 6mm width on right side was influenced by camera bed, thus some dark area appeared, and PL lens emphasized the effect. By estimated, about 7mm of right side will be darken on double slide holder.
Well, not so perfect, but still can be used if you ignore that dark area......treat it as a 113x90mm opening...., think in positive way, it won't show up when in 3x4 instant film........, and in 6x12 roll film (56x112mm opening)

(08/11 Add)
This morning I asked my two kids as model, test for close focus, they brought the bread they made last night, and keep eating it while I focus.......

Rodenstock Grandagon 4.5/75, FP-100C 45 instant film, f16, 1/30sec, focus at about 6 feet (1.8m)

It shows no any darken area in close focusing.