Panocam Convertible

Ok, here goes. This is a wooden box (I used dovetails and mahogany), with a largeformat lens mounted on the front, on a custom sized lensboard which has a (Aliexpress) m65x1 focusing helicoid. Depending on the focal length one needs a shorter or taller version of said helicoid. The 17-31 is suitable for a lot of wideangle lenses. But, sizing of the camera box needs to be adjusted to make sure you accomodate the flange focal distance of the lens used, or it will not focus to infinity (which you sometimes need).

At present, the dimensions of the main body accomodate a 70mm flange focal distance. I used Horseman filmbacks, which can be had from 6x7 and 6x9 (cheap) to 6x12 (very expensive), these backs are for 120 rollfilm. The camera has two aluminium profiles mounted with springs which grab the two ridges of the graflok backs and pull the back on the body tightly. This is somewhat unintended use of the graflok standard, and not all graflok compliant accessories will have the same style of ridges! (for instance the Lomograflok back). The graflok backs have the filmplane set back about 5mm (0.196" to be exact).

In principe, this is a 4x5 camera, however, the support ridges mask the images beyond about 9x12cm (so almost 4x5 :) ). Note that the optical axis is offset from the center of the camera (left/right, it is in the center top/bottom).

Because I wanted to be able to slide a groundglass holder in and out easily, I made a very slender version to do just that, it is not fully graflok compatible, just with this camera.

Lensclamp rear alt is glued to the inside of the frontplate, to allow lensboards to be exchanged (using the frontclamps and M4 knobs I found on either Amazon or Aliexpress).

Given that most lenses for LF require their own lens cone to be able to focus them, I've included a 3d printed front of the camera to fit the Schneider Kreuznach Super Angulon 58mm XL, I've since bought a 150mm lens and as soon as I verified the design of that lens board, I'll post it here as well.

As mentioned, you'll need a 17-31 m65 (or 25-55 depending on the focal length used) focusing helicoid, and the associated m65 mounting ring.

The profiles I found at a local builders store (Karwei) and is meant to finish table edges, it is a narrow "u" shape with uneven legs. The screws and rings as well. The springs are from Amazon. I also inserted 3mm dowel pins on each end to mount the Peak Design compatible quick releases.

All in all, the clamping mechanism works well, but it is a bit clunky, it sometimes binds and needs a little help. But it is a lot of spring tension, currently it closes like the door of a vault, maybe a bit less works also :)

The inspiration for this camera came from the Horseman Convertible and SW612, and dedicated panoramic/shift camera's like the Alpa 12tc, Cambo Wide, Silvestri camera's of course the Linhof Technorama and Fuji panoramic cameras. Looking to add Rise/Fall and Shift to the next one (without resorting to a bellows if possible).

Edit 25Jan2026: lenscone for 150mm lens fits, so I uploaded it here, prints without support, but takes a long time to print. Meant for use with about a lens with a flange focal distance of 142mm. This uses a 25-55 focusing helicoid, for a minimum focusing distance of about 1m. The part has M65x1 screw threads so the helicoid screws right in.

Edit 03MAR2026: Added lens cone for Nikkor W 135mm f5.6 using 17-31 helicoid. Removed files for wooden frontpanel as the 3d printed ones are more convenient and work better.

A copal 0 sized mounting ring can be found here: