I just received my Super 23 after a long overhaul at Tony Sasone's residence.
I haven't much time to put it through it's paces, but from what I have experienced thus far with it:
- I am disliking the right handed focusing implemented by the left handed grip, and am now considering not using the grip at all.
- The camera has a vertical tripod socket, but with the 6x9 back attached, it becomes quite useless.
- And as the above poster noted, it is too heavy for a walk around camera but the groundglass is nothing to be desired in the studio.
I just feel that the camera bridges a gap that is unbridgeable. The Fuji rangefinders do a better job for walking around being built like a giant Leica whereas a 4x5 covers the studio work with ease.
I'm considering offering it up, but I've yet to really run some film through it.
Albert
I had only used one other RF (an Olympus) when I got the Super Press 23. I guess for that reason it was easy to get used to holding with my left hand and focusing with my right. It may slow some people down, but then for all it always seemed 35mm like, it isn't intended to be a shotgun camera. I think you will get used to it if you start taking photos with it.
There was a vertical mechanism made that allowed the camera to go verticle. It was sort of a half circle. I never saw one in the wild, but have seen some on ebay. I also have a Mamiya heavy duty tripod that will hold it in the verticle.
Of course, I have never used it in a studio, so I can't really comment on that. There were at least two focusing backs made with eye viewing. One I think even magnified. They also show up on ebay once in a while. I never had one as they cost more than I wnated to pay. I had the focusing back with a folding-up cover for the ground glass, as well as the simple focusing back that did not take cut film holders. I found I didn't use them as much as I thought I would.
It is a heavy camera compared to 35mm cameras. But with a wide strap it isn't that bad, at least in my opinion. And look at what you get; interchangable lenses and backs, as well as extension tubes, and that big negative.
I never had a 6x9 back but I think all backs were the same outward size. I never had the problems you mention in using it. As I said, that probably has to do with the fact I got it early on to my reintroduction to photography, having primarlly used 35mm SLR's, one 35mm rf, and a Yashica 124 MAT G. And all that for the love of it, even when I was taking crime scene photos. Learning the Super Press was just another fun thing to do.
Give it a chance. I think you will like it. It won't be the only camera you will want to use, but it does have its place. I can carry it with two extra lenses, and extr back, and some film, with a light tripod, and not die. Sheesh, 30 years ago, I carried it along with a big 35mm bag around the mountains of Korea. (I was dummer if stronger then I guess).