Any Razzle or other 'compact' 4x5 users out there?

Frank Petronio said:
These old Euro 9x12 folders are 97% 4x5 and they are way smaller than anything else:

http://cgi.ebay.com/JHAGEE-9X12-FOL...ilm_Cameras?hash=item439e4cad1d#ht_500wt_1056

Scale focusing is the fastest too ;-)

There are a lot of other similar 9x12s from the pre-War days. I think Ansel used one as a boy.
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I never heard of a LF autofocus, autoexposure camera. 😀

So I was going to suggest what Frank Petronio did. Take a piece of paper and put a 4x5 square on it. Then put a 9x12 square inside. There isn't that much difference.

And the old 9x12 cameras are so much lighter and smaller! If complete, they also usually have "sports" finders. There are many that have rise and fall, and some with shift. The only problem these days is getting 9x12 film holders, but they are out there on ebay if not elsewhere. If size is a consideration, and you still desire the big negative, they are sure worth considering. Oh, of course, you can't run around changing lens boards, but I doubt you are doing that now.

EDIT: I forgot, for scanning you may need to make a mask fo the 4x5 holder you are using. I found I could make one from transparent acetate/plastic.
 
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Keith said:
did you hang the camera off some sort of neck strap ... it would need to be pretty heavy duty I'd imagine! 😛
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We had no neck strap for the camera. It was always in the hand or on the ground or on the car seat. The film holders were stuffed in coat pockets or a shoulder bag.

When we used the electronic flash, the power supply/battery/vibrator hung from the right shoulder. Coil cords for the flash and solenoid hung all over the place. We looked a little ridiculous I think, but we could get in almost anywhere with the rig because we were the "press".

I was eighteen, at the time and maybe I didn't know any better so I think the weight and hassle didn't bother me. When I changed newspapers a while later I used a Mamiya C22 and a much smaller flash.

Now if I were presented with the same set up to carry around I'd likely object.
 
Matus said:
Once we are at large compact cameras - I was wondering whether some of the polaroid (or other similar) cameras could be modified for 6x12 120 film with a lens like Kodak Ektar 100/6.3 (or even wider - the 80 mm one)

Or - in other words - where would you turn for a COMPACT 6x12 camera ?
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Razzie has a 6x12 Polaroid conversion for sale and there are links to photos. I have a Polaroid 900. My Horseman SW612 (not Pro) is far more compact, although it is not a rangefinder. My Horseman is slightly smaller that a Pentax 67.
 
Keith said:
I bought a Combi Plan tank from Freestyle which processes six negs at a time but uses a litre of solution unfortunately ... and leaks everywhere during inversions ... aside from that it's brilliant!....
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Keith,

I saw a Nikkor "Reel" for 4x5 on evil bay that fit into a standard SS roll film tank. Went high but looked very easy to load.

B2 (;->
 
Looks like my account here still works.

As noted by others, mine's for sale. Reason it's still for sale is I've declined a couple offers from people thus far (a few blatant time wasters, and a couple people couldn't find the cash). If it doesn't sell to a guy who's looking at it tomorrow in person then Keith you're welcome to it 😉


I can't afford to shoot 5x4 alongside 120 otherwise it'd be used frequently.
 
Peter Gowland just died but they are still making these or you might find one on Ebay. It's the Gowland Pocket View Camera about 20% down the page:

http://www.petergowland.com/camera/index.html

GOWLAND POCKET VIEW CAMERAS prices start at just $775!​
Gowland Pocket View cameras are all made from high quality aircraft aluminum, black anodized for protection and discretion. All models feature the Gowland friction focus, which works smoothly while keeping operation simple and sure.
Available in 4x5 and 5x7 models, the Gowland Pocket View cameras are light, rugged and capable of making world class photos without breaking your back or your bank account. This are ultra-light weight, typically between 3 and 5 pounds including lens and film holder.
Several variants of this camera may be ordered. All parts for these are in stock, ready to assemble into a great addition to your field camera arsenal. The variants are mostly in the types of movements each model will do, or the control of those movements.
Generous draw from the supple, high quality bellows allows use of lenses from 75mm through 240mm. If desired, a bag bellows may be ordered for more movements at the shorter focal lengths.
 
Ash said:
Looks like my account here still works.

As noted by others, mine's for sale. Reason it's still for sale is I've declined a couple offers from people thus far (a few blatant time wasters, and a couple people couldn't find the cash). If it doesn't sell to a guy who's looking at it tomorrow in person then Keith you're welcome to it 😉


I can't afford to shoot 5x4 alongside 120 otherwise it'd be used frequently.
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Wow ... the prodigal son returns for a brief visit!

So nice to see you here Ash ... I hope you're well and I do miss your input here my friend.

Stay well ... and if I can rob the local gas station today without getting apprehended ... you'll be hearing from me! 😀
 
Keith said:
Wow ... the prodigal son returns for a brief visit!

So nice to see you here Ash ... I hope you're well and I do miss your input here my friend.

Stay well ... and if I can rob the local gas station today without getting apprehended ... you'll be hearing from me! 😀
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I hope. I would like to have Ash back. I know; but I joined this group because of him. Keith, someone said in the USA: I rob banks because that is where the money is. Set your goals higher.
 
charjohncarter said:
I hope. I would like to have Ash back. I know; but I joined this group because of him. Keith, someone said in the USA: I rob banks because that is where the money is. Set your goals higher.
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That was Willie "The Actor" Sutton. He was reportedly asked why he robbed banks and supposedly answered that was where the money was. According to Wikipedia, he later denied saying it, but related if he had been asked he would have said it.
 
Well the [expletive] gentleman made some excuses after 20 minutes of looking over every detail of the Razzle, and literally ran out of the coffee shop we'd sat in...so it's still available. I'm not advertising here, honest, just noting as a response to the previous remarks!

(but if I was advertising I might mention I got a minty Canon 50/1,8 for sale with M-mount, and a few other bits! Since I'm not advertising here, I can't say I have...)

Keith, Gas stations have guns, Banks have vaults, you're better off trying a supermarket... I think you have me on facebook anyway so pop me a line sometime.

I don't know about Prodigal, but I am my father's son 😉

Shame Peter died, but he lived to a ripe age! Nice guy, lived a full life.

Sorry CJC I'm trying to avoid living on the forums, and Purelight is enough for me. I don't even bother with Large Format forum much now either.


Oh and anyone interested my blog hasn't been updated in around 2 years or so. After the inevitable breakup with MJ I sorted a lot of things out and the myspace blog was something not worth updating. I have a proper website now though - www.nps160.co.uk
 
I have a Alpenhaus Polaroid conversion. I also have a Speed Graphic. In round numbers, the Polaroid takes up 1/2 the volume. I can hand hold the Polaroid with little problem, I have yet to get the dexterity to do that with the Speed. It's me, and taking the effort, not an inherent problem with design. The Polaroid was just very fast to learn how to hold steady. I had a 150mm lens put on the Polaroid, and I like it better than the 135 on the Speed.

If you do a search for my old threads, you'll find many samples of studio works. In fact, I was once taken to task for calling them "Fine Art"

I have two grafmatic backs, and they work great. I have one polaroid and one fuji back for the current pack film ( both sizes), and the work fine as well. The conversion has a graflock system, and while I have a 6X6 back, I never bother to use it. I also have a polaroid 454i that I use for quick/ready loads.

When I was doing my research, I looked at the Razzle, and it's a sweet camera, and much of the nutters who are willing to deal with 4X5 agree, but Dean is in OZ, and seems to have a long queue to get one. Based on that, and that alone, I went with Steve at Alpenhaus.

http://alpenhause.com/

Dave
 
Dave you're right. Dean has a huge waiting list (testament to the value/price of his conversions?). Mine is sitting unused which makes me think its sale would benefit whoever buys it.

They are great when you use them, but I prefer my hasselblad.
 
I say this with only positive vibes and admiration of Dean, in addition to being a great camera mechanic, he also has the web based marketing down pretty good too. If you look at You Tube, he's there, and he does great in the Google search page rankings.

I think that his marketing effort also helps to keep the queue long.

Dave
 
Yep, I think 'word of mouth' has been taken to the extreme, especially on the large format forums, where anything that isn't a Littman is a good thing... and Dean's is even better than a good thing.

But the cameras aren't for everyone.
 
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