KANTA Portraits: #12Russkieкамера 13x18cm Здравствуйте

22 March– Last Field test before I go away for awhile. Portrait of Master Long, artist, painter— Field test, indoor daylight, 2-3 seconds at REXKL . Master Long Thien Shih sold me this camera #12Russkieкамера. Just as an appreciation, i made a couple of portraits for him. Sukee nang, part of the same dialect/ tribe with my father, he is just a year younger than my dad. but what a world of difference in his philosophy and outlook to life. Thank you for the additional holder, and being like a mentor to my ethnic past.

Portrait of Hafiz Jelir, photographer, editor, writer, Svara publications. Field test of camera #12Russkieкамера at about 2-3 seconds. Much respect for the work and advocacy of Hafiz Jelir and team on their local indie publication, Svara (voice), pushing the literary and language of Malay, bringing up many local stories and cultures in a beautifully designed and typeset publication. Makes most of the photographs himself and is an advent film photographer. Terima kaseh for your patience on being a test sitter.

My exposures are still slightly off, and determining the framing is still challenging. I need my flash units and reflectors/ blockers... and an extra set of limbs... thanks for the assistance of Alvin and Zarif

setup at RexKL

Portrait of Long Thien Shih

portrait session at Zhongshan Building

Hafiz Jelir

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20 March– #12Russkieкамера Field test of the recent rebuilt tailboard camera, Russian made, FKD ФотоКамера Дорожная (Field Compact Camera). First built in the 1840s? was advanced for its time with movements. This version perhaps late 1890s or pre WW2, earlier version judging from the make.

Starting with indoor dark studio setting- self portrait initiation, then indoor day light with @baba_vic_es, to outdoor daylight, on a trail at @friendsoftamantugu #TamanTugu- black flower of Tacca plant / Bat Lily; and lastly, field indoor daylight, another member of the @fiveartscentre @mark.teh_

Thanks for being the test subjects, I'm really liking the format 5x7" and the working of this camera. The lens is exceptional heavy, crystal lens and brass, its a great lens. I'll use this camera for indoor portraits, and it will also be part of the new series of workshop @ilfordphoto @srishtidigilife_my starting in June (postponed from January) at @zontiga

Completed rebuild

first indoor studio shoot

first print, self-portrait

negatives

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travel bag

first indoor daytime test shoot

test prints

carrying case

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first outdoor daytime test

Taman Tugu city trail

first daytime outdoor shoot

black flower of Tacca plant / Bat Lily

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Camera setup

Mark Teh portrait

Full body portrait distance

negatives

two exposure, different settings

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20 January– Completed stage 1 repair work done! film holder has been repaired as well, only need to patch light leaks in the bellows and it is ready for field test. Needs a dark cloth to shade camera, all cloth felts needs replacement. Stage 2 repair work after completing other build projects.

Stage 1 repair done– ready for studio test

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19 January– Adding wooden shim to moving boards. camera has water damage which cause wood to warp and joints to loosen.

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15 January– Strengthening the base board and rear standard. replacing missing adjusting bolts and rear movements.

base rail

adding dove insert

finished assembly

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30 December 2020– Rebuilding the front standard. Unassembled the entire front standard to the base, glued and install dowels to strengthen.

disassembled

gluing down front base

strengthen front joint

reassembled

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16 December 2020– Acquired some acrylics to make new ground glass and for the film holder backing.

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30 October 2020– Здравствуйте Say hello to my #12Russkieкамера 13x18cm camera
FKD ФотоКамера Дорожная (Field Compact Camera) thanks @goshakeymakh. Acquired my 3rd camera to rebuild my camera arsenal here in Malaysia. About RM300 (USD$72). Russian-made, appropriated German technology after WWII, Tailboard or Reisskamera circa~1860s, this camera probably from the 1950-60s... needs alot of repair and modification to get it to work.

Shoots 5x7 format. 210mm f4.5 barrel lens with lens cap as shutter.