TravelWide 4x5 portable camera project launched!

<p>Hello Conrad, <br /> I think everything will be ok in the end. ;-) We'll see, though. The whole update is <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wanderlust/travelwide-45-camera/posts/452611?ref=activity">here</a>: <br /><br />They mention other lens choices:</p>

<ul>

<li>Schneider Super Angulon 90mm ƒ/8</li>

<li>Nikkor SW 90mm ƒ/8</li>

<li>Fujinon SW 90mm ƒ/8</li>

<li>Caltar 90mm ƒ/8</li>

<li>Rodenstock Grandagon 90mm ƒ/6.8</li>

<li>Caltar 90mm ƒ/6.8<br /><br /></li>

</ul>

<p>The project came out of a lengthy discussion on the Large Format Photography website before it went to KickStarter. The Large Format Photography forum is a place where people know what they're getting into when they shoot Large Format. <br /><br />The newbies will learn the ropes, and perhaps some of them will just do pinhole on a tripod if they can't get a lens. This camera is a cheap pinhole solution, from what people have said regarding the cost of other pinhole cameras.<br /><br />They're getting close to the goal! Everybody is pretty excited.<br /><br /></p>

<p>Those are $400+ lenses. And not small. And not an unlimited supply. And kind of pointless on what is suppose to be a handheld camera. Also I think the pinhole idea will get pretty old fast with most of these folks. Especially at 5 dollars a shot. I suspect a lot of these will be showing up on ebay next year when the iphone crowd realize what is really involved.<br>

I have shot handheld 4x5 using a toyo cf and a small 135 rodenstock lens. And I found it to be a waste of time, money and film. It is almost impossible to get the camera level, the aperture has to be wide, and thus a small depth of field, or the speed has to be slow, and then you get blurring. For that kind of stuff a medium format camera, like the GW670III that I have, would be a much better deal and a lot cheaper. <br>

<br />As I said if you have the equipment already this is fine for $99. But of the typical kickstarter person, good luck. </p>

 

<p>The camera has a tripod socket and is light enough to be used with a lightweight <a href="http://joby.com/gorillapod/ballheadx">GorillaPod</a>, so, it is more than just a handheld camera.<br /><br />Guys carried heavy press cameras, like the Speed Graphic for years, and shot 4x5 handheld, sure, with flash, ok, but we have faster film now. This thing is going to be a piece of cake to shoot compared to carrying one of those, even with a more expensive lens. Some old Speed Graphic shooters said they were looking forward to getting the TravelWide.<br /><br />I'll carry a cheap plastic loupe, a GorillaPod, use my coat as a dark cloth, and focus on the ground glass for some shots. That way, I can stop down to f/22 and shoot longer exposures. The results will be amazing, and will certainly crush the Holga. <br /><br />There doesn't have to be an unlimited supply of lenses, we're only talking about 600-700 cameras, and I bet a lot of people already have a lens that works with it. Some people have said they had two Angulons in the closet. Good prices will force the lenses out of desk drawers and closets and into the hands of people who will shoot with them.</p>

<p>Anything that increases interest in large format and especially large format film for $99 is well worth it. And Ilex Caltar 90s can be had for closer to $200. I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience, Conrad, and that you are paying so much per shot. I'm sure other people will find a technique that makes them happy.</p>

<p>Ilex Caltar 90s for 200? Where exactly? There are none on ebay.<br>

And at Badger Graphics, whose prices are in line with everyone else, the cheapest C41 4x5 is $30 for a box of 10. And the cheapest E6 is $54 for a box of 20. And if you can find some who will develop color 4x5 for lest than 2.50 a sheet, well let me know. So $5 a sheet is on the low side, if you don't have Jobo processor like I have. <br>

<br />And yes, good prices, like $400 or $500, will bring out those Angulon 90s, I might even sell mine. But then it is suppose to be a $99 dollar camera. </p>

 

<p>I don't think the Angulon f/6.8s will go to $400-500, because people will see the wisdom of buying a better Angulon f/8 in that price range. I almost went for the f/8 but decided that I would want movements so I'll buy a f/5.6 at some point, not for the TravelWide, but for my Wisner.<br /><br /> They said it was $99 for the body, they never said $99 with a lens. ;-) <br /><br /> Film is not cheap, and I do pay $2.50 a sheet for processing, until I get darkroom privileges at the International Center for Photography (ICP). Still, the quality of 4x5 images is stunning. I really think all photographers should shoot 4x5 just to see what it is like.<br /><br /> When it is expensive, you care more, and take more time with each shot. I don't think I'll go crazy shooting with the TravelWide but I will get some large format shots on vacation that I would not have gotten otherwise. There is cheap $.70 a sheet Foma B+W film at Freestyle for people to try out, so it is not expensive in all cases.<br /><br /> Expired film can give amazing results and you can shoot paper negatives. Life can be fun.</p>

<p>Conrad, there is a user wide field Caltar on eBay right now with a buy it now of $125. And color? Real photographers shoot black and white;-)</p>

<p>By March, 2012 Ilford had sold 1000 Harman Titan 4X5 pinhole cameras. At $219.00 each! Granted this was world wide but I think it indicates there is a lot of interest in 4X5. Since the TravelWide 90 is $99, has a helical with 20mm of travel and will ship with a pinhole I don't think they will have any trouble selling this camera.</p>

<p>Finally, for the naysayers.</p>

<p>This is a "fun" camera. If you need to hold down film cost for B&W use paper negatives, scan and invert in any simple image program. Even if you have never stepped foot in a darkroom you won't need much equipment or chemicals to process paper. In the US you can get everything you need from Freestyle Photographic Supplies and the learning curve is not too steep and loading and processing can be carried out under safe light.</p>

<p>Oh, did I forget to say this is a fun camera?</p>

<p>I didn't.</p>

<p>Good.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Larry, as one of those who tried digital and discovered that it's inferior to film, I'm glad to see your project and hope it works out for the best!</p>

<p>Hello Talbert, <br /> This is not my project, I'm just an enthusiastic backer. ;-) All of the pre-orders for the TravelWide have been allocated but keep checking back for when they will be able to sell them to the general public. Everybody is really excited about this camera.</p>

<p>Update #10 just went up on their Kickstarter page. Check it out. </p>

<p>Update #10 just went up on their Kickstarter page. Check it out. </p>

<p>For those we cannot see the updates on KickStarter, they're only available to backers, some information has been posted to the large format forum, here: http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?86921-Wanderlust-4x5-P-amp-S/page121&highlight=TravelWide<br /><br />The camera is looking good. I can't wait to take it out and shoot with it.</p>

<p>Just got the newest update and I guess they're still having issues. Sigh. At least they care about quality. Can you imagine how long it would take for Canon or Nikon to out out a new DSLR is those companies were run by two people? : ) I'm hopeful for a lightweight 4x5 to shoot with by the spring. We'll see.</p>

<p>For those who can't see the updates, basically, they had a minor light leak which they solved by adding a void to the mold. The latest test film shows no light leaks after 5 minutes with the dark slide pulled! I'm excited about that, as it means I can walk around for a while with the dark slide pulled without taking the shot.<br /><br />They're going to take care of tightening up the focusing ring, so that will be another engineering change. After that, they should be good to go. <br /><br />They will provide a pre-ordering link in the near future for those people who missed out on the KickStarter campaign. I'm so excited about this camera that I went out and bought a 65mm lens, so I will be preordering that body to go along with the 90.<br /><br /> Keep the faith, this camera will ship, it's obvious that they're very close.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>

<p>I think I'm going to play around with the pinhole they're including first before I buy a lens. I want to make sure I have the processing down before I sink money in a lens. I'm planning on doing some practice shots with x-ray film and caffenol.</p>

<p>Wow, old thread. I just checked up on it to see if folks were still posting. I figure if their vendor is moving at their usual glacial pace then they won't get the revised helical to test for another 2 to 3 weeks. By that time the natives will be restless again, like little kids in the back seat....are we there yet?....are we there yet?......are we there yet?....</p>

<p>If the helical is naled down and they can get the metal insert in the pinhole cap to work then I would hope the camera is complete. Then they can pull the trigger on a 1500+ unit production run. The final number depending on how many preorders they take in for after the backer orders are all filled. and in 4 to 6 more weeks Xcentric will run the parts. Then it's off to Ben and Justin for assembly and finally they can start shipping the cameras.</p>

<p>So, I figure 3+6+4=13 weeks minimum before cameras start shipping, early to mid May.<br>

Although Ben said they will not estimate a new target date this is how I figure it. </p>

<p>I have hope.</p>

<p>How very long a time has gone by. However update #31 has just posted and here is the nub of it;<br>

On 8-23-15, Sunday, there will be a pick-up party in Chicago for those who live nearby. I guess the rest of the backers will have their cameras shipped out shortly after that. </p>

<p>At least one would hope it won't take too much time to assemble, box and ship the rewards.</p>