Video

The modularity came by accident from the way I envisioned the body of the camera. I'm glad to hear that this was on someone else's mind In the past:) I know I'm not inventing anything new in the grand scheme of things but I do believe it will have a place with the modularity I have now in my mind. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Also, I see you've mentioned the fresnel lens with the ground glass, will you produced them also? Or I have to find them on my own? Thx again

Hi the cameras lens boards are linhof boards compatible. I will be producing my own lens boards at a very reasonable price point from black anodized aluminum. The only question still to consider in the future is whether to keep the 2.25mm thickness of the Linhof boards or make them 2mm which would make them significantly cheaper, and doesn't bind the final users to only proprietary linhof lens boards which to my understanding are a finite resource. Another thing that bothers me personally with Linhof style boards which has a recess on the back is that this makes the camera front a bit less light proof if we don't make the front components of the camera in a similar fashion, another troublesome think with a lot of Linhof boards is that they are often off centre which means that if you use their boards the cameras zero will not actually be zeroed. As for the fresnel at the moment this is standard issue with all cameras rhat I make. Probably at later stages it will be an add on option. I'm keen to hear your thoughts.

@@ONDUCameras thanks for your response. I'm very interested in this camera project (I'm also a owner of a Ondu 6x17) since I'm looking for a small and light 4x5 camera to bring around. As you mentioned, it's not easy no find Linhof leans board around, so I hope I can 3d print a compatible model. Look forward to hear exciting news about your project, good luck!

Thank you for the kind words, it gives me so much drive to continue doing this. It has been the hardest projects by far and felt discouraged for the future of it at points and seeing positive reception and another perspective like yours is just the right dose of inspiration to continue doing this with joy.

Thank you for the kind words and support, I was so worried that people would think that taking a rest when things need to be done wouldn't understand. But like you said it, probably I ain't the first that went through such a rough patch and it in fact relatable. Thank you again ❤️

I think that most large format photographers are a more patient group. We understand longer and more precise processes, much like printing in a darkroom. 😊

Thank you, comments like yours give me so much to keep on going even though it's gets difficult at times. We are at the very end this is the most important part and I'm finaly pleased with the functions and details of the camera. Looking forward to shipping it ❤️

Pouring my everything is a very accurate description of this project. Thank you for noticing this detail, I really took it upon myself to make it exactly how I envisioned and that all of you will be blown away with the actual camera! Thank you again it means a lot!

It means so much to me for you taking the time to check my work and respond with your thorough observations on how you perceive my story on making this. As you mentioned about burnout it happened once before and it literally took years to get back on track and almost ending this camera making work. This time I was trying so much not to make the same mistake but they still do happen. I'm on day 1 of my break now and I can say I feel much better already. So I'm pretty confident when I come back we'll hit the ground and finish this endeavor. Also this last sentence brought a tear to my eyes, it means so much, thank you! ❤️

Thank you ❤️ means a lot!

Appreciate it, thank you for your support! ❤️

Thank you for the kind words means a lot, I'm trying my best to make everything as close to home as possible also don't work with exotic wood types onyl what's available in the local area. Slovenia is a beautiful country but like I said in the video I need to get out for a week or two because of hay fever somewhere to the coast where my allergies disappear:) really appreciate your comment!

Thank you 🙏

Unfortunately no seperate movements on the front standard as of now, it might happen in the future, there are mixed camps when it comes to this particular feature. Base locks up to 90° so no forward tilt either, and as you guessed it the base has a combined shift/swing. There is possibility due to the nature of the construction for extra rear movements as well, but this camera all by itself is already a handful to deal by myself at the moment. If the format and model gathers momentum in the future, I will try to cater to the needs of photographers like you and adapt as we improve our production processes. Thank you for the input and kind words, means a lot! Elvis

Thank you, I think the pre-orders will ship together with the Kickstarter backers so around 2-4 week of June, depending on the amount of pre-orders that still come through in this time. I've acounted for some stock in the first batch. Thank you for the kind words!

Thank you Lins <3 cant wait to share time in real life again:)

Thank you for the positive coment. Just to be clear this particular model is upgradeable to 4x10" while theoretically 8x10 would work also, there would be an issue with centre alignment of the front standard since it's much smaller on the 4x5 camera as well as limited extension compared to an actual 8x10" although it might still work. But for a dedicated 8x'10" I think a bit beefier construction would be needed.

@@ONDUCameras 4x10 quite interests me, since I'm a fan of the panoramic format. I'm not so keen on the only extant 4x10 field camera on the market at the moment due to its price. Your film holder loading mechanism is of particular interest as I'm disabled and have reduced use of my hands, making inserting holders difficult to impossible without help on most current models. I didn't get involved with the Kickstarter as I've been burned by those in the past, but I have invested in several after they passed the kickstarter phase. Yours seems like one in that category.

Thank you friend, thank you for the kind observations, I'm sure it will fit right in in Portugal, it's actually where I tested the first 3 Eikans last year:)

Thank you for the clarification and for teaching me something new in the process, I have a new word to add to my vocabulary. I think most camera makers omit this since the springs needed to hold a 4x5 sheet film holder are less strong usually than those for 8x10, this would be my assumption. Thank you for the kind words, I would assume if this camera takes hold in the already pretty filled market of camera makers that there will be future special builds with various wood types, bellows and materials like Titanium or similar, but first things first. Finish this batch and see what the photography community will say about it in real life. Thank you again for taking the time to listen to me talking and for your observations. I really love reading comments like this.

Hi, thank you for the kind feedback. The lomograflok works with this camera and I've also designed a proprietary focusing screen for it. There are indexing engravings on the front focusing rail as well. I'll be posting an update in a day or two so keep an eye on it. I cover some of the features that you just talked about.

They are being produced as we speak, expected availability for non Kickstarter backers in Late March. We first need to fulfill duties for our Kickstarter backers :) After that they should be generosly stocked going forward. Also there's a short update on CZcams if you go to the Chanel and look for the latest video. Thank you for taking the time to comment and your interest in my work.

The magnets on the first versions since 2013 are holding up still, they do not loose their strength unless exposed to high heat which would damage the wood itself. And many photographic producers use them in various applications.

@@ONDUCameras It's not about losing their strength, but I'm not a person who keeps their camera in three layers of protective pouches on a pillow, I just throw them around anywhere they fit. Sooner or later the edge will snag on something and open, exposing the film. A real shame, otherwise it looks like a great camera.

@@OhFishyFish Thank you for your comment, at the moment there have been no such observations from my customers with more than 10k units in circulation, my personal camera has fallen 3m onto rocks with no opening, one flew into the sea for a good 3 minute swim with the inside still dry, but those are just my experiences. Maybe to my unknowing there have been issues with someone, but nobody reported it so far. :) If you have any other observations, I'm keen on learning and adapting all the time.

@@ONDUCameras I wish more companies dealt with concerns from potential customers with the same even handed professionalism as this. Its unfortunately very rare to see, hats off to you Ondu for such a respectful reply.

@@jmcgonnell it's my sole livelyhood making these cameras and products, hence if I don't reach the expectations of my customers essentially my existence is at threat so to say. Even though when I'm oveworked or don't manage to answer all emails or sort out any mishaps immediately In the end I always do. And it's in my wish to make products that will endure longer than me or the people that buy them. This is the reason I keep getting repeat customers that have been supporting my work since the very beginning. Thank you for your comment I am thankful when someone appreciates the human aspect of the "company":) Have a nice day:)

Thank you for the kind words, I'll do my best to get it all out in a timely manner. As for holders and so on, there will definetly be plate holders available, as for film I haven't yet tried to make that in te 8x10 format but I suppose with 3d printing it would be doable by all means. Thanks again!

There will be a preorder page set up by the end of the month for the late comers on my website. Thank you.

@@ONDUCameraswhen will the cameras be available. It is very beautifully handcrafted.

@@samameen6941 shipping latest pre orders in about 2-4 weeks depending on parts finalization. Please check my Instagram ondu cameras for more frequent updated