Converting 6X9 to 4.5X6

[jimk2000]

Has anyone converted a 6x9 camera to a 4.5x6 format using an internal mask mod. I have a Ansco Viking 6.3. Since the red window will not line up with the 456 numbers on the back of the film I assume I would have to experiment with a roll of 120 film and count and mark film as it turns to figure out the proper number of turns for film advancing correct? Any thoughts?

 

[Muggins]

If you search my posts for "Moskva", somewhere you should turn up a photo of the back of my Moskva, where a previous owner modified it for 4.5x6 by making a new red window. The Moskva 4 came with a mask for 6x6, so they put two inserts in that as well to make it narrower. Unfortunately ingenuity ran out with the viewfinder, where they just put a tiny piece of card in each side to reduce the field of view.

It's do-able, though.

Adrian

 

[kuzano]

Many Voigtlander Bessa's (early) were dual format

Many Voigtlander Bessa's (early) were dual format

Som early Voigtlander Bessa's, plus the early Bessa RF and the Bessa I were all dual format. They shot 6X9 and 6X4.5.

The change uses a mask down to 4.5, and the mask included a tang which triggered a door on the second ruby window for 6X4.5. When the mask was not in camera, the second window on the back remained closed. When the mask was inserted, the tang opened the second window for the 4.5 numbers. Additionally, one turned a knurled button on the back of the camera to open/close either one or both of the ruby windows from outside the camera.

It's a system that worked well, and a Bessa I which often came with the upgrade Color Skopar 105, is a very nice dual format shooter, as is the earlier Bessa RF outfitted with the Heliar lens.

 

[bolohead]

I'm currently doing the same thing except with 6x7 format with my Bessa I. I'm using an old 6x7 Rollei mask. For frame spacing, I'm using the numbers and the little circular marks to determine exactly where to advance the film. For example, Frame 2 is after Frame 1 on the third circular mark directly before the 6x9 frame marking on the back of Ilford 120 film for Frame 2. Eventually, I may just save up old 120 film backing, mark the 6x7 frames and re-roll my film I'm still in the conceptual planning stages, but hope to test it out in the field very soon.

 

[jimk2000]

Thanks all for the info.