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I'm not a wealthy man, not by any stretch. In fact, this large
format photography has been a real strain on my finances. So when I
wanted
a 4x5 with some movements, I considered a kit camera, but instead found
an old Graphic View with a 7-1/2" Ektar. It seemed awkward to carry
into the field, but satisfied my desire for a while. But then one day
in
1998, I took a large format photo seminar with Florida landscape
photographer,
Clyde Butcher. Now I HAD to have a bigger camera. A week after the
class,
in an amazing stroke of luck, I stumbled across an inexpensive Seneca
8x10
outfit complete with lens, an old tripod and half a dozen holders. Now
this
produced a negative I could see! But the bellows were dying, and I
still
had that urge to build a camera. I confess, I built an 8x10 Bender
camera
- and I liked it. I still like it!
I'm not getting any younger, in fact, I recently turned 50.
With the
clock ticking and so much left to do, I decided to accelerate my large
format
photographic evolution. 4x5 negatives seemed small and lacked the
impact
of my 8x10 shots. So by my own skewed logic, I rationalized that if 4x5
was good, and 8x10 was better, then 12x20 should be down right
wonderful.
But there were several obstacles to overcome, and they all concerned
money.
I could order a new Wisner - and live with it in my car or under a
bridge,
since there would be no money to pay the mortgage. An antique Banquet
camera
was another option; an old camera from long ago such as a Folmer &
Schwing
or Korona was definitely more feasible. The outfits usually come with a
holder or two, and maybe even a lens, but still around two grand, and
likely
a lot more. Since my wife likes the comforts of electricity, a
telephone,
food, and such, I needed a cheaper alternative. As I gazed at my Bender
8x10, I imagined how one would look beefed up with a massive bellows
and
able to handle a giant film holder. I started making sketches.
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