First Encounter with an Afghan Box Camera build

done by Maurício Sapata, his prototype #1 what a beautiful built! large, light, smooth, it's great to see one with the afghan mechanism up close. Momentus day, wished i took more pics!

Tá teno lambe-lambe no mercado de pulgas do minhocão!

Mobile Kit, Version 2

mobile kit, Kamra #1 prepped and ready. bringing it along to meet Mauricio in São Paulo. different carrying orientation, possible to strap as backpack. in preparation for some remote excursions, testing stage.

It's still abit heavy, bout 7kg without stock chemicals (+2kg more for tripod), but fits well as a backpack to hike or cycle. should be able to process bout 100 positive prints on a single trip.

my lightest, strongest tripod. shorten to fit the luggage, hope it survives the trip

mobile kit version 2

mobile kit back pack

dismantled tripod for fitting

SOURCING MATERIAL: velcro

local tailoring shop, doubles as a curry puff cake shop, getting some Velcro, 2 meters

UPGRADE: Paper Box

Project in hibernation at the moment, pending completion of Mapping work end July/ August. Downtime means refinement & repairs. Making a new replacement light-safe box for photo paper. need a thinner one too.

VISIT; Master Chan

an attempt at cataloguing Master Chan's collection for sale. It's been years since I've tried in vain to get that done, and this visit was like most of the previous. This time though we had some new visitors, Mahen Bala, a budding filmmaker. together we've come up with a few strategies to get it done. Anyhow, was really nice to have some new company share the love of photography with one of my mentors.

MADE: Focus Frame

Making of a new focusing frame for Kamra #4. eureka moment for design solution, using found plywood. next step, make an exposure with it. Horizontal possible!

PHOTO BOOTH; Market day

EVENT; more a 'show & tell' than an Instant Booth, we'll probably only make 5-7 portraits this time round. It's also a training session for a photography-major at handling the Kamra.

Flashback to Analogue, photography event https://m.facebook.com/events/174612536246746/ REPOST @batteryacidclub - Dear all film-photography enthusiasts, Come and join us our next event 'Flashback To Analogue' this coming 27th March, Sunday that embraces the magic of analogue photography. Spend time trading ideas, discuss with fellow analogue photography enthusiasts, or just to expand your collection. Free admission. Everyone welcome!

Huda, apprentice and Kamra-woman in the making! couldn't have done today without you. hope the hands on experience was good practical training. You've got it, now go make that portrait series.

promo poster

promo poster

prepping the sitters

First print is a wild card,
it either comes out really
noisy, but this time I think
this is pretty good. Aiman,
thanks for participating

info sheet

prepared 3 simple infographic, an attempt at explaining the workings of the Kamra. it's meant as an envelope for the print

SAFE DISPOSAL; spent chemicals

To dispose of spent chemicals, about 18 litres worth including wash water. @Bang Bang Geng, thanks for the service!

FYI, chemicals contain metallic substance (silver from the paper), mainly in the fixer. A neutralising agent is introduced and chemical left to brew, silver will 'coagulate' into a gunk like base and removed through filtration. another neutralising process i think before being safe for disposal into greywater (or blackwater) sewage system.

collected a few sets of containers, chem-proof, various sizes for use pre and post process. 100ml, 500ml & 2 litres

about 16 litres spent-chemical

containers

REPAIR; repro arm

needs some repair work and rethinking of the focusing frame. prepping for coming instant booth stint on the 27th this month.

RESTOCK; RC photo paper

9 packs of expired 100s, pearl (matte), RC multigrade 3.5 x 5.5" Photographic paper. that's about 900 prints, should last me for awhile

thanks to @Bang Bang geng for keeping an eye out for me

IN THE FIELD: Peta/ Selai Endau Rompin

IN THE FIELD; June 2015, while looking through the archives for images for a press article, came upon this picture from an expedition into the interiors of Selai, Endau Rompin, Johor Parks. first few attempt at taking scenery with the kamra. 

thanks to sumei for the pic

Family Archives

going through the family's archive. photographs, images of people unknown, a period in time. holds so much emotions, untold stories, attachment, detachment. doing research for the Imprint Series

REPAIRS; base frame

replacement base frame waxed and oiled. Kamra #1 is almost complete, pending repairs & realignment to reproduction arm

CARGO COMMUTE

Pickup Kamra #1 from Squat Studios. bout 25km return trip, 1hr 20mins total. 12 hill climbs in total today including earlier ride to Bukit Damansara. About 20kg worth of power tools, Kamra and parts etc. batt under strain, only clocked 24km on odometer and it's flat. had to pedal the last hill plaza damas hill.

ACQUIRED; Books Jan 28 (arrives Feb 11)

1.
Light and Vision, Life Science Library Hardcover – 1966
by Maya Pines and the editors of Life Rene dubos
Time Incorporated; 1966 Edition edition (1966)
ASIN: B000MONHJ0 (restock missing book)

2.
Creative Colour Photography Exposure– Darkroom– Experiments– Presentation Hardcover – 1969
by GAREIS & SCHEERER (Raimo Gareis & Theo M. Scheerer)
HEERING-VERLAG; First British Edition Stated edition (1969)
ASIN: B000HL6HAY *IMPORTANT (German authors)

3.
Color (Life Library of Photography) Hardcover – 1970
by Editors of Time Life Books
Time Life Books; 7th edition (1970)
ASIN: B0006DC14E

4.
Art of Photography (Life Library of Photography) Hardcover – 1971
by Editors of Time-Life Books
Time-Life Books; Revised & Expanded Edition edition (1971)
ISBN-13: 978-0809410422

5.
Colour photography in practice Hardcover – 1948
by D. A Spencer
Pitman Pub. Corp; 3rd edition (1948)
ASIN: B0007DWGFC

6.
Color Photography for the Amateur Hardcover – 1938
by Keith Henney
Whittlesey, Fourth Printing edition (1938)
ASIN: B000LWD86U

7.
Color in Photography Hardcover – 1939
by Ivan Dmitri
Ziff-Davis c1939; First Thus edition (1939)
ISBN-13: 978-0022408008

8.
Manual of Colour Photography. With illustrations Hardcover – 1964
by Edward Stanley Bomback
Fountain; First Edition edition (1964)
ASIN: B005NYEI10

9.
The Story of Photography Hardcover – 1898
by Alfred T. Story
George Newnes; First Edition edition (1898)
ASIN: B000NU1088

Books, photo essays, journals, technical, TIME LIFE collection, attained late last year;

from left;

1.

The Golden Years in Black & White, The Photography of ML Khong 1970s-80s – 2015

by Xin Art Space; 1st edition (2015)

ISBN: 978-967-13281-3-2

2. 

Gumoil Photographic Printing – 1994

by Karl P. Koenig

Focal Press (1994)

ISBN: 0-240-80166-0

3.

The Camera (Life Library of Photography) Hardcover – 1970 

by Editors of Time Life Books

Time Life Books; (1970)

ASIN: –

4. 

Entomology Photography in Practice – 1953

by E F Linssen FZS•FRES•FRPS 

Fountain Press; 1st edition (1953)

5. 

HRH Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah, Pioneering Malaysian Photography, 1923-1971 – 2013

by Raja Mohd Zainol Ihsan Shah

1st edition (2013) Signed.

6.

Odd One Out Vol 2— Journal Magazine – 2015

by Odd One Out Publishing (2015) Signed.

issue 0129/1000

7.

Noorzine Issue 1 & 2

by Moka Mocha Ink Trading (2013)

ISBN 978-967-10663-4-8

REPLACEMENT: base frame with hard wood

after numerous repair work, it's time for a replacement. this is the base frame, with the mounting nut. it holds the weight of the camera and is also where all the chemical spillage will settle. Will be replacing it with a hard local wood, chengal or iron wood. resistant to dampness and super strong.

1st attempt, Wasted, wood too dry, left in rain. started noticing some lines splits. Too late it split so easily in the end. ah shucks. hazards of working with recycled wood.

2nd attempt at making replacement part. this one out of real hard chengal! it's really hard to saw. but it sure fits very well, finished all the crucial cuttings and fitting. mounts well.

1.

2.

1. the darker one used to be chengal floorboard, the lighter one I don't know, but super dense and very strong. 

2. left; jigsaw off to size / right; chisel off part

3. hand saw section. 

4. carve out washer slot. started noticing the split

5. left; trim to size wood / right; slot in parts and wood splits, hazards of working with recycled wood, too dry, left in rain

6. left; chengal stick. 32 x 320 x 20 mm, need to trim thickness to 15mm / right; fitted inside. finally. hopefully this hardwood will last. will treat will natural oils and coat with wax finishing after trimming

7. build of the month! super accomplishment, thanks to studio squat for use of the tabletop saw. finishing trimming of replacement part out of chengal. super strong now!

8. top; studio squat, table saw to trim part to size / bottom; parts flushed perfectly

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

new base frame

Kamra in Malaysia is growing

25 January first project meet. start of mentoring and apprenticeship.

 1. Nurul Huda, a photography major has taken up 'kanta' as her final year project! and here is a snapshot teaser of her progress. I think she'll take some really interesting portraits with the lenses she has. I'm very inspired by her energy and passion. Can't wait to see her first print! good luck huda :)

2. Amazing Nurul Huda her final year project as a photography major, Project Keepsake! she needs sitters, married couple Shah alam area, Kota Kemuning! get in touch with her! another Kamra is born in Malaysia!!! https://www.instagram.com/projectkeepsake/

3. @projectkeepsake Nurul Huda Mat Rusdi's final year project. Kamra box & developing box #projectkeepsake #kantaboxkamra family is growing

4. first Kamra girl in Malaysia @nurulhudamr and her final year project @projectkeepsake. she had a few weeks to build it and another few to shoot with it. She has built it using #kantaboxkamra principles, there are some new orientations and some new methods. I think there is a new #Kameracaptin (Tin Branded Cameras) coming about UPDATE Congratulations Nurul Huda on aceing her final year project with an A!

5. Kamra is growing with a collective collaborating Huda to build a Kamra.

REPAIR WORKS

Kamra #1 interchange has seen quite abit of use and punishing trips. time to do a quick overhaul, reapplication of oil and waxing the innerst.

recoating the insides

layer of wax

Light-bulb camera

The Bulb lens or technically known as the Aqua Spherical lens has not had much exposure. Much to do with this build has been pioneering and experimental. Being one of the four prototype directions, this exercise was meant to only use waste material to create a working Kamra. It has since been designated the name Kamra #3 Bulb.

Rating the lens, to engineering the design to fit, calculating the focal formula, it was a challenge from the start to make this Kamra work. Producing a visible focused image, sharp and bright enough to get an exposure with a sensitivity of ASA 3. Here are some of the documentation of the build.

Globe Bulb ±100mm Ø and the standard E24 Light Bulb

A glass bowl with water as a lens is nothing new and has been experimented with from the 15th century. Even the Vikings used quartz crystal as well as optical devices. It was a light bulb moment when I figured the glass bulb would be a great solution as a lens, easily found and many options for sizes suddenly seemed so feasible. *note* leave casing on, break from the bottom and remove the insides from that opening. / Globe Bulb was a contribution of Justin Lim, who sourced it from a lamp designer up in Penang. Thanks dude.

Thomas Sutton Patent Spherical Aqua Lens drawing, Light bulb lens

Thomas Sutton in 1895 submitted a design for a Spherical Aqua Lens, basically the world's first fisheye lense, I believe 30+ were only made. The Light bulb filled with water was an excellent substitute of that design too. *note* be mindful of weight/ volume, 1 millilitre = 1 gram.

measuring the bulb, making the holder

Figuring out how to mount the lens was also challenging, here is a full aperture opening (size of the bulb), profile of the bulb cut in plywood. *note* glass bulbs are not symmetrical.

Bulb lens mounting

This mounting wasn't suitable and was scrapped in the final build. It leaked light and needed another attachment for the aperture size too.



Running test on focal length, aperture steps

the focus train concept (left), the finalised design (right)

With the limitation of resources and skillsets, simpler designs with found objects were explored, although producing very interesting build and promising results. A fair amount of calculations on the lense axis and focus length etc later, the focusing train with horizontal load rails and a simple screw tightener to secure the focus.

focus carriage

The focus train carriage with the arsenal of screws meant to hold together the lengths of plywood. It looks complex but the function filled the requirement for design. *note* nead drill press for more accurate work and better craftsmanship.

prototype kamra #3 Bulb finished Dec 2014

The finalised prototype kamra #3 Bulb was finished on Dec 2014. The design was kep at a minimum, as more functions are added on if and when needed. The bulb lens was mounted on the exterior with just a light bulb E24 screw mounting. The Globe Bulb was used which had a focal length of about 100mm. It was further secured with blu tac at the sides.

light bulb lens mounted on exterior of kamra

The kamra finally went through some testings for print in July 2015 which produced its first print hence ending the project with all prototypes producing prints. The kamra was further developed, and the lense was moved and mounted from the inside. The lense was rated at /ƒ4, but from test prints, it showed to be overexposed by at least 1-2 stops. I deduced that the bulb on the outside capture light sources and also reflected from all directions and produced a big amount of flare.

first print July 2015

The first print revealed a fair amount of flare, even reflected ones. The image circle was big atleast 4", but the sharp focus was only concentrated in a very small circle.

further test lighting and results

More test were run at varying light intensity. The lens proved to be more accurately rated at /ƒ2. It has an ethereal feel to the image, but does not distort as an expected 100mm would.

The concept of this camera is undeniably fascinating. I would love to develop this into a workable mobile unit, at a bigger format, 5 x 7, with wheels!