Status update:
- I've part assembled the new focusing rack to test the alignment. I cut two different sized circular gear wheels that will move the rack, figuring that one would be right. One is 15mm diameter, one is 16mm...I reckon 15.5mm will be spot on (sod's law!). The 16mm wheel is just slightly too tight so will keep the rack under too much tension I think so that's one slight change needed going forwards.
- I haven't assembled it yet but the new front standard design seems much more stable. There's now no flex in the uprights as the lens board surround keeps it square. It also means that there's a hard stop on the rise rather than relying on embedded magnets. That also means a reduction in build complexity as there are 4 less magnets to fit.
- The new bellows material is spot on. It's lightweight, flexible and light tight. I managed to cock up my alignment of the outer orange layer when bonding it all together though so this one doesn't look as neat as my other set (mark 2, 3, 26...I've lost count!) but I was more interested in the overall performance to test them rather than the appearance. Before I build more, I'm going to build a former so it's easier to lay up the material layers and bond them. Another positive is that I'm getting quicker at making them, 20 minutes from end to end :0). I intended to cut the ribs out of the same 320gsm card stock that I used on the others but I realised that I've drawn my plans slightly too large for the sheets of card I've got! Instead, I cut them out of material that's used in pull up advertising boards (a bit like projector screen material) as it's what I had to hand at the laser cutter. As it happens, the ribs work really well. They're not as rigid as card, but they're more flexible without losing their shape. I've got the bellows under a weight overnight to crease the folds so I'll check it for performance tomorrow.
I really just want to get a finished camera out in the field now to try it out for real. I continue to make small design changes as I go along and come across improvements for fit/function/assembly but I'm going to finish the purple version in the current design before I build any others.