New lust: Littman 45 single - experience?

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f/stopblues

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Has anyone handled one of these oh-so-alluring RF's? I just stumbled on the website for these and am trying to keep it in my pants (wallet, that is..). It seems ideal for my current problem; shooting large format portaits at large apertures.

Any comments from the peanut gallery about these? They're not cheap! I wonder just how big they are compared to say a Speed Graphic or some smaller field cameras. How's the build? Are they as cool as they sound?

Thanks!

www.littman45single.com by the way. It's an annoying website, beware!
 
I've looked at them. While I think one of them would be fun, I've been turned off by the attitude of Mr. Littman at Pnet. Additionally, I could mount any of those lenses on my Speed Graphic, get the RF adjusted and hand hold it for a whole lot less money instead.

Frankly if I'm going to spend that kind of money on a 4x5, I'll get a Linhof.

I had forgotten just how bad that website is though.

William
 
Chris,
Are you shooting medium format already? If not, $2000 will buy you a nice 6x7 Mamiya rf rig. That is, going from 35mm to 6x7 might satisfy a larger format urge with a camera that has a better resale potential.
 
The price is what has held me back as well, I'm sure the quality is there but he's pretty proud of his creation. I would consider one of the other 110B conversions for alot less just to see if you like using the camera and availability of the film/polaroid and processing.


Todd
 
Why not just get a Speed graphic with a graflock back... All of mine are range finders... then you can use poliroid 120 and sheet
 
Ya, the Speed Graphic is probably a better bang for the buck. Nick, I am actually shooting a GS-1 for 6x7. I think it's just the allure of handholdable 4x5, and the Speed Graphic just seems like such a beast to me. Getting a wide open portait with a monorail is nearly impossible I've determined.
 
Crikey -- some bozo slaps a Graflok back on an old Polaroid 110B and talks as if he's revolutionized photography. Not knocking the 110B, but it's not exactly as if he was the first to think of this. I wish I'd cornered the market on 110Bs back when camera-store used departments were using them as doorstops and paperweights...
 
I have seen some sweet speed graphic rigs on ebay in the last few months for great prices..
Once you get use to the feel and the muscle memory of them, I think they are a joy to shoot... I really miss shooting with mine.. Hell half off what we remember of photography thru the 30's 40's and 50's were shot with them... Its big,,, but it is versital!
 
I wouldn't mind one of these cameras myself, but if I'm going to go large format I think I'd rather find myself a nice Crown/Speed Graphic and spend the leftover funds on developing eqipment and film.
 
Another option

Another option

There's a guy in Australia that does a similar conversion much cheaper, results look good, this is what I plan to do when I get the cash together (after I get an M6 😀 )

Guy's Page

Daniel
 
OMG, I just read the dribble from Littman over on Pnet, I wouldn't use one of his cameras if he gave it away, that guy is a tool! IMHO of course 🙂


Todd
 
Not that I have the money anyway, but I wouldn't buy anything from Littman after his outbursts on Photo.net and APUG, his attempts to intimidate people buying/selling 110Bs and people selling their own conversions.
 
danielnorton said:
There's a guy in Australia that does a similar conversion much cheaper, results look good, this is what I plan to do when I get the cash together (after I get an M6 😀 )

Guy's Page

Daniel
Click to expand...

Exerpt from this guy's page.. hehe:

"WARNING. PLEASE DO NOT ORDER A CAMERA CONVERSION IF YOU ARE AN IMPATIENT PAIN IN THE ASS, (SO FAR I`VE ONLY EXPERIENCED ONE OF THOSE!)"
 
I looked at razzledog's site... I'd be a lot more likely to buy one from him than Littman. Cool gadgets all around, though, no matter who makes them. GranView also made a nifty-looking handholdable LF camera but their website seems to have vapoprized recently.

Slightly OT (well, probably more than slightly), I've noticed a lot of nice 2x3 Speed Graphics on eBay lately. Do they even still make/sell film for these or would this be a case of having to cut down 4x5 film in the darkroom? I suppose you could use a rollfilm holder but heck, where's the fun in that?
 
I was in a 2nd hand photo shop yesterday and they had a used Linhoff with 3 or 4 lenses for about NZ$1000 (US$680) in excellent condition.
Given the choice I'd go for the used Linhof in an instant.
 
Good god thats an awfull site, made by someone's cousin I assume. The prices are just ridiculously high on this gear, you could get a complete mamiya 7 set-up and a couple of fuji 690's for that kind of money, and with the non-collapsable lenses you'll be pretty close for quality...

Edit: and whats the point in going through all the hassle of using large format if you cant even correct perspective... Idont see the point in extra resolution for street shooting.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Todd, I know what you mean. When I first read his blather I just thought "loser" and stopped considering his product.

Doug, JandC sells 2x3 IIRC, but the reality is that most people I know using them do simply slap on a roll film back.

Personally I just need to get the front standard from a Super Graphic so I can hack some more movements into my Anniversary... 😀

William
 
The australian dude's site is quite interesting, he's apparently dabbled in camera-making for some time, and with great results too (I especially like the 617 "obsession" camera, looks great and efficient).
 
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