2x3 cameras?

[BillBingham2]

Another option for 2X3 is using a roll film back on a 4x5. I have a few old 4x5s that were my fathers I love. The Crown Graphic is my favorite as it does not have a focal plane shutter and as a built in RF. I will be selling his large 4x5 SLR very soon though.

B2 (;->

 

[alternatve]

The size of the image on the groundglass is the size of the image on the maximum film size. If the film is smaller than the groundglass, then only that part of what you see on the glass is what you get on film.

As to how you know where the frame edges are, it depends on the groundglass. Some are marked for different formats, and some are not, and some people use overlays or groundglass masks. I usually mark the groundglass on the matte side with pencil. You could also mark it on the shiny side with a china marker. There are some free overlays for 4x5" groundglasses available on www.satinsnowglass.com that you can print out on transparency film, and then if you have a 2x3" camera, you can just cut them to size.

Large format is just so logical. Wrong size lensboard? Machine your own! Back not compatible? Make your own subsitute! Bellows holed? Patch it back! I love how things are limited by your own imagination. 🙂

Samuel

 

[venchka]

Toss in the endless possibilities of using old lenses, old shutters, no shutters and you could be grinning for a long long time.

 

[venchka]

www.keh.com

They may ship to Singapore. They have a good reputation and a good return policy.

 

[David Goldfarb]

That is definitely one of the attractions. It's nice to know that if you have a problem you can usually fix it yourself with ordinary stuff from the hardware store, and you're never tied to the lenses from any particular manufacturer. I use some lenses that are the most modern and advanced in their class as well as lenses from the early history of photography and many in between.

It's amazing to see the resurgence of old formats recently. Want to shoot 7x11? You can special order the film and get custom filmholders for your custom camera in that format. Got a good deal on 9.5" aerial roll film? Well, you could build a camera around it--9.5x9.5"? 9.5x12"? 9.5x24"? Maybe two or three formats with reducing backs.

 

[alternatve]

That is definitely one of the attractions. It's nice to know that if you have a problem you can usually fix it yourself with ordinary stuff from the hardware store, and you're never tied to the lenses from any particular manufacturer. I use some lenses that are the most modern and advanced in their class as well as lenses from the early history of photography and many in between.

It's amazing to see the resurgence of old formats recently. Want to shoot 7x11? You can special order the film and get custom filmholders for your custom camera in that format. Got a good deal on 9.5" aerial roll film? Well, you could build a camera around it--9.5x9.5"? 9.5x12"? 9.5x24"? Maybe two or three formats with reducing backs.

Oh, KEH is my favourite place. It's like a drug store for addicts! Unfortunately, they don't seem to have a graphic there, only 3x4 versions and it's japanese and german cousins, Horseman and Linhof.

Samuel

 

[David Goldfarb]

If you go for a Linhof 23 and want to use the rangefinder, try to find one in a kit with three cammed lenses. They're wonderful cameras, and the quality of Linhof service is first rate, but I've been waiting for my Tech V 23b to come back from Marflex to have three lenses cammed and a few small repairs since April. Wait times may be different in other countries or if you deal directly with the factory.

Well, it's been just over a year at Marflex and my camera is back! I've just been checking everything out, and I'll run some film through it tomorrow to test the rangefinder accuracy.

 

[bsdunek]

Seems no one has mentioned the Mamiya Press 23. If you get a Universal with a 'G' back adapter it will take all the Graflok 2X3 back accessories. All lenses (except the 250mm f8.0) couple to the rangefinder with no cams or other external parts.
It's small enough for hand holding, although it is quite heavy.
The only limitation I find is that only the back moves, not the front. This makes it rather limited if you want to do arcitecural work.
I have a Super 23 which only takes Mamiya back accessories. With a collection of cut film holders and roll film backs, it's a lot of fun. Mamiya lenses are great, and the shutters are long lived. They can be had for a reasonable price too.

 

[alternatve]

It's been a while since I've posted here, and I'm glad to report success!

I've just been in contact with a local professional photographer still using a 4x5 crown as his main kit (his D300 is merely a toy.. 😛) and he very kindly relinquished a 2x3 Crown graphic to me! Extras include a Zeiss 80 f/2.8(!) Tessar and a Wollanstok 65 f/6.3 with a 4 2x3 film holders he said I could have as a memento. The real deal is a 6x6 roll film back that works well. I spent a great afternoon to early evening chatting with him and looking through his other toys inaddition to the little introduction to the crown. I know the Crown's movements are limited, but it sure beats the heck out of a SLR! It was sure smaller then what I've expected... I was expecting some monster camera that I was planning to upgrade my bag even! Thank goodness all my expectations were unfounded and I look forward to be using this with my DSLR in the same bag only with a tripod as additional gear. Unfortuantely I didn't bring a bag along so I'll be collecting it another day... And now I can't sleep!

My friends were chatting about girls all day in school, and I couldn't even begin to follow them. The only time I notice a girl is when she's holding a camera! Haha!

Btw, anyone know's where I can find a 6x9 graflok roll film holder for a 2x3 camera? I believe the codes are 23 graphic or RH-8. Thanks a bunch!

Samuel

 

[oftheherd]

Seems no one has mentioned the Mamiya Press 23. If you get a Universal with a 'G' back adapter it will take all the Graflok 2X3 back accessories. All lenses (except the 250mm f8.0) couple to the rangefinder with no cams or other external parts.
It's small enough for hand holding, although it is quite heavy.
The only limitation I find is that only the back moves, not the front. This makes it rather limited if you want to do arcitecural work.
I have a Super 23 which only takes Mamiya back accessories. With a collection of cut film holders and roll film backs, it's a lot of fun. Mamiya lenses are great, and the shutters are long lived. They can be had for a reasonable price too.

Heh, heh. If I had seen this thread before, you know I would have. I really like my Super Press 23. I have the 150mm, 100mm, 65mm(bad shutter now), and the 50mm. All great lenses. I also have some cut film backs and focusing screens, and the extention tubes. As you would well know, makes for a very versatile MF camera. It is a little heavy, but due to the handle and roll film backs, to me it handles quite 35mm like, and with a wide strap, I don't find it that heavy. And as for the 6x7 negs and slides ... Well, the only thing better is LF, and they don't carry as well. 😀

Glad to see the original thread starter has just gotten something he likes. Hope to see some photos soon.

 

[Dektol Dan]

2 X 3?

2 X 3?

All these years and now there are 2 X 3's? I've never heard of such a thing. I always thought that the only format in that size was 2 1/4 X 3 1/4 (inches).
I guess the world has passed me by. I do know that the availability of sheet film for the smaller Speed Graphics is in the tank, and if you don't have a roll film back you might as well give up.

 

[David Goldfarb]

2x3" is just short for 2.25x3.25". It's the same format.

Current films in that format that I can find are Efke/Adox 25, 50, and 100 and Ilford HP5+. I'm not sure if the Foma emulsions are available, but could probably be special ordered.

Ilford is taking orders for special cuts, so a couple of us are lobbying for FP4+ in 2.25x3.25". Ilford is now offering custom sizes of FP4+ and HP5+ annually, and as long as they have enough pre-orders, they'll do sizes like 7x17", whole plate, 4x10", 11x14", and such. If anyone is interested, The View Camera Store is one of the participating dealers, and you can e-mail them at info@viewcamerastore.com to let them know you're interested.

 

[alternatve]

Heh, heh. If I had seen this thread before, you know I would have. I really like my Super Press 23. I have the 150mm, 100mm, 65mm(bad shutter now), and the 50mm. All great lenses. I also have some cut film backs and focusing screens, and the extention tubes. As you would well know, makes for a very versatile MF camera. It is a little heavy, but due to the handle and roll film backs, to me it handles quite 35mm like, and with a wide strap, I don't find it that heavy. And as for the 6x7 negs and slides ... Well, the only thing better is LF, and they don't carry as well. 😀

Glad to see the original thread starter has just gotten something he likes. Hope to see some photos soon.

I couldn't sleep the whole day as I was dreaming about my graphic which is still sitting in the store! I haven't been this excited since I got my Leica!

Thank you all for all your help and advice! I won't be here now on the verge of obtaining a graphic without you guys. 😉 Photos will be posted as soon as I can take some as my full time job as a student does take up quite a bit of time.

Actually, with this, I don't know whether to step up to 4x5 at all. I got the 2x3" thinking of a testing ground for 4x5, but with the support I get back home from the processing services, maybe it's not such a good idea at all? B&W processing I can take care, only a matter of obtaining a bigger tank. The problem arises when I want to scan it or am using colour negs/slides. I have to give it more thought indeed.

Samuel

 

[David Goldfarb]

If you scan, you can get huge files from big negs with a modestly priced flatbed scanner that can handle transparencies. If you go that way, you might make the jump to 5x7" from 2x3" to see a big leap in quality.

For color, is there no professional color lab that handles sheet film in Singapore?

 

[kuzano]

on Graflex roll backs look for the extra pin rollers

on Graflex roll backs look for the extra pin rollers

Btw, anyone know's where I can find a 6x9 graflok roll film holder for a 2x3 camera? I believe the codes are 23 graphic or RH-8. Thanks a bunch!Samuel

There is a myth that indicates the extra pin rollers for film flatness only came in the lever wind Graflex or Singer(they made backs for Graflex also) roll backs... Not True. I posted a picture of the pin rollers in a Graflex knob wind back on an earlier post.

Pin rollers are very thin rollers running vertically at the end of the opening in the back. They flatten the film more-so than earlier rollbacks. The rollers are chrome and less than 1/16 inch diameter. They make the Graflex backs nearly as good on film flatness as many of the more expensive backs.

One of the reasons I like the knob rollers (only with the pin rollers) is because the lever winds often get a weak return spring on the lever and the lever hangs out a bit, catching on things and partially winding the film on after a shot.

I've never had a problem finding a Graflex 23, or RH8 on eBay.

 

[alternatve]

If you scan, you can get huge files from big negs with a modestly priced flatbed scanner that can handle transparencies. If you go that way, you might make the jump to 5x7" from 2x3" to see a big leap in quality.

For color, is there no professional color lab that handles sheet film in Singapore?

Oh yes, they do handle 4x5, at around SGD $4.50 a sheet which is around USD$3.30. I don't mind the price but if I can scan direct from a normal scanner and still get amazing quality beating my 2x3, I sure don't mind!

Of course a Epson v700 is a very nice scanner that does 4x5 and 8x10 if I read correctly. At SGD$900 or USD$665, I'll have to consider carefully!

I think I might shelve the film back for now and mess around with my 6x6 back. Got to get used to the camera before I get new toys for it.

Samuel