I'd second the idea of building it in matboard or foamcore first particularly if you are making a folding camera.....particularly if you aren't modeling it in CAD. Also, do consider the wood you use. Quarter sawn oak is crazy strong and stable.....and heavy. Straight grain cherry is a pretty reasonable compromise. Carbon fiber and cherry would make a nice combination.

Also, I think everyone needs a water jet cutter also. How else are you going to cut out those titanium parts? Actually, it is pretty cheap to have parts waterjet cut if you have the 2D cad file.