SOURCING; Velcro

from local sources, unfortunately some materials have to be sourced new through local independent sources. It's a challenge to explain what 5 meters of velcro was for too. Will be back to photograph the local tailors here

 

 

NEW LENSE

Meopta Meopar 210mm / f4.5 -32. this is going to be a super lens. thanks to the support & advice from KoonYik Chin of @bang bang geng, publika

REPRODUCTION ARM

one size almost fits all. mountable reproduction arm to fit all kamras. the build is getting very complex. although, reproduction will only be possible on #1 & #4. here's a teaser to what they might look like in the field. Next up light proofing.

 

 

SEARCH; Light Shield

went in search for some jackets, north west side. found the same old lady, por por, driving a hard bargain. sweetest old lady, reminds me of my grandma smile emoticon found a couple to use as light shield and sleeves for the kamras! no idea where they came from, but they're vintage alright!

 

 

 

 

SQUAT Woodworkshop

Reproduction arm made from salvaged tropical hardwood. Chengal as the baseboard, really hard wood to shape. thanks chitoo's squat woodwork studio

REPRODUCTION ARM

trying to design an attachment arm for one size fits all (different lenses) different focus plane

 

 

 

PROCESSING TRAYS

been looking through thrash to find some suitable ones. take away just abit too wide and to short. Finally found a great solution, drink packs made from tetra packs, light weight, waterproof, highly reusable and widely found. Perfect size too!

 

 

FIELD TEST 1

took out #1 for a field test in a controlled environment, managed to take 7 shots and process at site. quite a few issues were ironed out. next step, making the box lightproof with sleeve, and the reproduction arm.

pics courtesy of Lainie

 

 

Kamra #4; woodie / first print

Kanta #4; projection of left & right brain

last night's test prints with prototype kamra 4 the wooden box, yielded some interesting images. getting the lighting right in a controlled environment. here playing around doing some digital conversions. reference setting, 48" distance square from 500W strobe at 3.0 output, barndoor 

Kamra #1; interchange / first print

managed to do 3 prints last night, although only 1 print produced an image. will attempt again tonight. in dire need of a sitter

WOOD RECYCLING MILL

Visited a new lead for getting recycled wood. This one very organised, and mostly hard wood with minimal damage. Turns out most of them are taken from luxury bungalows of Bukit Tunku, the western hills of KL. Attempt at building the reproduction arm that could fit as an attachment on to kanta #1 & #2. if it works well, replicated for #4 too.

OPTICS TEST

testing the optics for prototype #1 interchange for image projection, circle of confusion, focal length distance & reproduction arm calculations. another mind-bending time to figure out an aesthetic, efficient design solution

 

 

 

ENLARGEMENT PRINT

reading up on some theories from the old days, the use of the box camera as a projector to make enlargements. here are some pics of the experiment, doing alot of calculations, distances, exposure. gist of it is putting knowledge to practise. Kamra #4 doubles as a projector / enlarger

the standing easel, another flimsie (steel can), with magnets as holders. exposing 8x10" or about 150% enlargement

MOUNTING; base board

Here are the progressive pictures of the making of the base board mounting. using 3/16 nut thread (standard photographic & lighting threads). bored a hole 16mm and pressing in the nut, carving out a recess of 3mm for placing a base (50 cent coin), securing it in place with 3 screws. the design is the flushed flat and able to be mounted on all standard tripods (with converter) 

 

 

 

 

 

TRIPOD; mounting

made the base and filler from left over salvaged wood. using the standard dual lighting stud as the screw, works great!

 

 

 

TRIPOD; mounting

need to fabricate a mount system to fit all 4 kamras. Found an old surveyors field tripod

ACQUIRED; Durst M305 Enlarger

acquired an old durst 35mm enlarger, electrical still working, needed some repairs and replacement parts. will be showing how the photo printing process to would-be apprentices for the Kanta project

RESTART; unpacking kamras

for the next few stages. test prints, some more building, and preparation for field use. studio workshop is open to people who are keen to have a closer look.

HIBERNATION

NOTE; project in hibernation till february, pending completion of work for group art show "Making Space; we are where we aren't" opening set for 30th January 2015. a few experimental processes and ideas here.

DISSECTION

two lenses dissected this morning. Of the two, the nikon 35mm prime lens gave the most promising lense! also salvaged parts to use in the making of a simple spring loaded shutter. thanks Japheth Lim for the glasses!

looks like it contains 2 glass elements, did a quick test and the focal point turned out to be at 150mm. Exactly the focal length i was looking for, the image circle is bigger than a singular element, this is going to be an excellent portrait lens!