Odd question ... but what cameras (35mm and MF) can do multiple exposures?

[Keith]

My photographic interests take me in strange directions occasionally and at the moment constructing images with multiple exposures and other techniques intrigues me. I intend doing some work with a model in a couple of weeks and will likely use my Bronica RF645 as it appears to be the only camera I have with this capacity.

I would quite like to be able to do the same with 6x6 but what cameras can do this? Sometimes I long for a Hassleblad or possibly a Mamiya C330 for creating the types of images that seem to interest me ... their lenses seem to be killer quality and offer a choice of focal lengths.

No ... yes ... maybe? 😛

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Mamiya 645 Super and Pro can. Don't know about the other M645 models. Hasselblads cannot unless you remove the film back before turning the wind crank on the body to tension the shutter. Pain in the butt. I used to have a Mamiya C330f and I can't remember if it does multiples or not! Been too many years since I had to sell it.

For 35mm I know that the Nikon F3 and F4 can do them. Can't remember if the older models (F and F2) can, and I don't know about the F5 and F6. I think the Canon F1N (the new F1) can also but I am not 100% on that.

 

[Bassism]

I know that my Pentax Spotmatic F can do double exposures by holding down the rewind button while cocking the shutter. I would expect that other manual cameras can do it in a similar way, but I wouldn't take my word for it.

 

[totst]

For mechanical 35mm cams I used this trick. Engage the film rewind button/switch. Hold on to the film rewind lever or knob while advancing the film. The film will remain on the same frame.

 

[ruben]

I don't see why your Iskra cannot do it, by simple cocking of the big bright know on top of the lens compound as many times as you like.


Cheers,
Ruben

 

[ruby.monkey]

Looking through my cameras, I can tell you that the Nikon FM3A, Pentax 645N, Rolleicord Vb, and Mamiya RZ67, all offer multiple exposures; and neither the Linhof Technika 70 nor the Leica IIIf prevent you from recocking and releasing the shutter without having to wind on.

You can also do this with a Super Ikonta III, despite the double-exposure lock, but it's a bit fiddly to reach the release lever on the shutter.

 

[ChrisN]

You could use your Speed Graphic, Keith.

 

[Al Kaplan]

The Minolta Autocord has a sliding switch near the wind crank letting you make a backwards turn with the crank. This cocks the shutter without winding the film. Some of the less expensive Yashica TLR's have seperate shutter cocking altogether.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I sometimes use the rewind button trick to get my cameras to do double exposures. Personally I've done them with a Canon Ae-1 and Yashica GSN. I believe the Canon A-1 has a switch that lets you do double exposures a well as a Nikon FM2.

 

[dmr]

The Yashica D sure can! It's very easy. Too easy! 🙂

Example:

http://omababe.blogspot.com/2007/09/o-bang-double-take.html

 

[jonmanjiro]

You can take multiple exposures with a Nikon S2, Keith! After firing the first frame, recock the shutter by turning the shutter speed dial back until it catches.

 

[ZeissFan]

Many of the later Rolleiflexes could do this by sliding a small serrated switch near the base of the crank and then cranking backward.

Rolleicords could take multiple exposures, of course, because you simply retensioned and fired the shutter.

Although many folding medium format cameras had double-exposure prevention, some (many Zeiss Ikon folders) had a small arm or tab near the linkage with the shutter that would allow you to release it. This was more difficult with the 35mm folders (with leaf shutters) and more or less impossible with the Contax, the Super Nettel, the Nettax and the Tenax I and II.

Agfa Isolettes also had the small tab/arm that let you trip the shutter multiple times. Early Voigtlander Bessa medium formats didn't have double-exposure prevention, but most of the 35mm Vitos did, and it wasn't easy to overcome.

The mighty Rolleiflex SL66 had a double-exposure facility. The Baby Rolleiflex (127 film) didn't.

And that's about all that I can wring out of my brain tonight.

 

[ZeissFan]

Oh yes, the Nikon FE and FM series had a small lever near the film advance that you held while you tensioned the shutter. No need to press this and hold onto that.

 

[Keith]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've noticed that a couple of cameras I own do disconnect the advance when you operate the rewind mechanism but this can't always be done when the camera is on a tripod ... and not moving the camera or film a fraction is important to me between exposures for what I want to do.

Ruben ... I thought about the Iskra but I don't think I can actually perform the action through the shutter release itself after re-cocking but only by tripping the release shaft below the lens ... or am I wrong here?

Chris ... I thought about the Graphic with a film back but that would only be 6x9 no? I only have one focal length for the Graphic also which would be limiting!

For the stuff I want to do I definitely lean towards MF!

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

Sounds like a Mamiya RB67 might do the trick. The film advance is separate from the body and shutter mechanisms. Allowing as many exposures as wanted.
They also have separate releases for the mirror and shutter.

Those RB's have everything laid out to work on a tripod without much fuss or finagling to use its features.

 

[ruben]

.....Ruben ... I thought about the Iskra but I don't think I can actually perform the action through the shutter release itself after re-cocking but only by tripping the release shaft below the lens ... or am I wrong here?....

I suspect that in case your Iskra is of those rarely working with their film counter mechanism, you may be unfortunately right.

However, somehow it comes to my mind that if you are going to do double exposures, you are going to use a tripod. And if you indeed are going to use a tripod you may easily trigger the small lever release, either with your finger nail or with a small screwdriver - small unconvenience for a multiple exposures on exactly the same frame !

Cheers,
Ruben

PS
What about double exposures with the Bessa III ? 🙂

 

[Keith]

You can take multiple exposures with a Nikon S2, Keith! After firing the first frame, recock the shutter by turning the shutter speed dial back until it catches.

Some of the screwmount Leicas will do that too from memory ... but to try and do this on a tripod and not move the camera the sightest fraction would be difficult! Having just had a quick look at the S2 and noting the release button design ... can you get a cable release to fit it? I would assume you can!

 

[Keith]

PS
What about double exposures with the Bessa III ? 🙂

Hmmm ... what about the small matter of the $2200.00 USD I don't have? 😛

 

[Melvin]

Supposedly the M5 does multiple exposures, but I only tried it once and can't remember how.

 

[mh2000]

A Holga works well for this! 🙂

All basic folders allow this, my B2 Speedex and Franka Rolfix both shoot a nice photo and would work well.

The Barnack Leicas will do D.E. easily (just twist the speed dial until it catches... refire at will).