July 2012 (2): Building the camera

Building the camera is all about measurements. Everything has to be precise as there will be no opportunity to correct measurements once the camera is built. I have therefore had to take myself back to the physics and mathematics of my student days. As the camera works with direct exposure, the distance inside the camera between the lens and the ILFOCHROME paper is very important - this distance affects how much light is lost and subsequently how much power is needed for the camera to work. I also have to think about the external distance between the lens and the subject of the photo... it’s a long time since I’ve done maths like this!

As well as the maths, I am surprised to be crossing paths with people from the world of theatre. The person I have found to construct the aluminium frame of the camera works as a builder of aluminium lighting towers for big stage performances. I am trusting him to weld the aluminium precisely to the nearest millimetre. For the fabric cover of the camera, I have called on the help of a world famous company called Gerriets, based in Freiburg i.Br., who make textiles and curtains for the theatre. By coincidence they’re based in the Black Forest, which is near my home in Germany.

Talking of home, this evening I am looking forward to travelling back to Germany to spend the weekend with my wife and my 6-year-old daughter. I hope that I can keep my eyes open long enough to tell them about my busy week.

I begin to assemble the camera at ILFORD in Marly, Switzerland

An ILFORD electrician fixes my old 360 V cable