Camera & lenses profiles

#13 Khemah Kamera
The largest camera I've built so far, measuring 8 x 8 x 8 feet, it can shoot as large as 20 x 24 inches or larger depending on the paper size. The tent camera doubles as a portable walk-in darkroom, the educational aspect of it, it also changes functionality to a projector too as a performative method.

with support from Krishen Jit Fund / Five Arts Centre

#1 Interchange Camera
Completed in 2014. Designed to accept interchangeable lens boards, and with an interesting focusing mechanism, this is the most versatile camera based on the principles of the kamra design. It features a single opening on the rear. Mounting of lens board via riveted currency coins. Lens board- 150mm with shutter, & 210mm barrel lens (barrel lenses do not have shutter mechanism).

with support from Krishen Jit Fund / Five Arts Centre

#4 Woodie
Completed end of 2014. Made from irregular-size recycled wood, this kamra is the most complex build. The internal framing is built strong to keep the plank walls in place and also the structure of the box intact. At approximately 11 x 14 x 20". Was initially designed to be used with a barrel lens, it now can accept interchangeable lens boards. Lens board- 150mm with shutter, & 210mm barrel lens (barrel lenses do not have shutter mechanism).

with support from Krishen Jit Fund / Five Arts Centre

#9 Field Graphic
Acquired camera 2019, rebuilt. Originally made in 1963, this press camera has been modified to a vertical format, with full front movement (XYZ axis), and with side & bottom 3/8" mounting. This camera is also rebuilt to be mobile and able to be handheld during bright days at 4 x 5". Robust, ease of use and with full front movement, it enabled the print to better focus it's shallow depth-of-field on the subject. Susceptible to weather changes, it is the most durable and compact for field work and is fast to setup.

Lens board- 135mm, 150mm, & 210mm, all with shutter mechanism.

#10 Tangki
20 litre container are easily found in rural plantations. Made of HDPE, a durable plastics, the containers are easily found, and up-cycled by rural communities. The next generation of box cameras will primarily research into the use plastics in the building of the camera, simplifying the design further. Various types of containers (new and found) were sourced to develop the new prototypes.

Lens board- 150mm with shutter, & 210mm barrel lens (barrel lenses do not have shutter mechanism).

#11 Toyol Camera
Acquired 2020 & rebuilt. Japanese-made Toyo View Camera D45M, model from the early 1970s. Acquired locally for RM$400 (USD100), it needed serious repairs to the front standard pillars. As a studio technical camera, it is not suitable for field work, but it has all the movements and is robust enough. Sent for welding, acquired a rotating graflok back from Japan and a Linhof tripod locally. This will be used for as part of the workshop module and field work.

Lens board- 135mm, 150mm, & 210mm, all with shutter mechanism.

#12 Russkie камера
Acquired 2020 & rebuilt. Russian made FKD ФотоКамера Дорожная (Field Compact Camera) 13 x 18 cm. Judging from the manufacturing, it is from the pre-war period or earlier. Acquired for RM$300 (USD75), it needed many repairs. It has certain movements on front and rear standards, and as a field camera, it is quite adequate. Only comes with one 5 x 7" plastic film holder and Industar-51 210mm ƒ/4.5 lens. This will be used as part of the workshop module and field work.

Lens- 210mm barrel lens (barrel lenses do not have shutter mechanism).

#Kodak 2A 3x5" #Ansco 2x3"
#Kodak six-20 R&W 2x3"
Early 20th century box cameras– assorted sizes and makes. The simple box cameras have been rebuilt and refitted. It's basic design further simplifies the image-making process and enables an exposure to be made easily with just a push of a button. It requires a good gauging of light and decision-making for the right exposure environment.

Lens - 100mm with rotary-spring shutter