[EDIT: I am currently NOT ABLE to make ground glass covers.]
I am now making and selling custom ground glass protective covers for large format cameras! I have a few different options to start with, as well as some fun customization possibilities.
Basic Design
The covers are designed to slide over and protect both sides of the ground glass. I can make them to exact sizes for different formats. (More on sizes below.)
Materials
The coolest custom-etched designs are on 1/8th inch acrylic sheet. Choices for colors, transparency, and texture are vast. So far I have made covers from transparent acrylic with a design etched on the surface (as seen on this page).
In the future I am going to try designs etched on the inside surface (for a different appearance), on opaque material, and etched into mirrored acrylic to see how funky that looks. I’m excited to work with customers to come up with their own unique designs!
I also offer basic black ABS plastic covers. Since it is not easy to add a custom design to these (the material melts rather than etches) I am able to make them in advance for standard sizes, and are hence cheaper and ship faster.
Custom design
I am able to laser etch a custom design into the acrylic versions. For the examples on this page I have used one of my logos, as well as my name and website. I welcome your ideas and designs, and can work with you to create something unique.
I can work with you and make the design myself, or you can send me your own vector-based file for me to use.
Designs could cover the entire surface of the cover, for example, and offer many possibilities for branding or just otherwise having the spiffiest-looking camera in your club, which is really what this is all about, right?
Custom sizes
I am able to make ground glass covers for most large format cameras up to 10 inches on the long edge (i.e., 8×10, 10×10, 4×10, etc.) If you think your back has unusual dimensions we can easily work out a custom size.
Larger than 10×10 is also possible, just get in touch, as I would need to use a different process to cut the base material.
Pricing
Prices start at $15 for a non-customized black ABS plastic 4×5 cover, up to $75 for a custom-designed 8×10 acrylic cover, with all of the possible size and customization combinations in between. Prices are exclusive of shipping costs, but these covers are lightweight and won’t cost much to ship.
Larger sizes are possible upon discussion. (Smaller sizes, too, if anyone is rocking a cute little Crown Graphic or something! Funny story about that* below.)
Order here!
[EDIT: I am currently NOT ABLE to make ground glass covers.]
*How I came to own a weird camera format: I wanted a folding view camera, to be able to set up faster than my monorail-type studio camera. I searched eBay for “4×5 Graphic”, and a nice-looking Crown Graphic popped up, for a decent price. I bid, I won, I got my camera in the mail.
All was well until I looked at the nice wooden film holders that came with it and thought “wow, those look kinda small”. Turns out it is a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 Crown Graphic. It showed up in the search results for “4×5” and I didn’t look more closely (not sure if the description was wrong or I just didn’t pay attention). In related news, if anyone wants to swap for an actual 4×5 Speed / Crown Graphic, we can work out a deal! :-)
