Using viewfinder for 105mm on 6x9

[sooner]

Hi folks,

I just got lucky on the 'Bay, I think, and got a funky "hand made" 6x9 camera with a Mamiya Sekor 105mm lens for $200. I have been following with great interest various conversion cameras, like the Razzle and others, and am excited to try a 6x9 format after using the GA645 for a while. Anyway, got to wondering what it will be like to use the viewfinder to frame pictures given the 45mm equivalent focal length. Do you all have trouble framing at such a focal length, i.e. is the parallax a big problem? I've used a Bessa L and viewfinder but of course that was a much wider focal length so easier to do. Anyone else out there using these conversion cameras? Do you think I paid too much given the age of the lens, i.e. is this just a glorified folder lens wise?Thanks....John/Sooner

 

[sooner]

Bump...Come on guys, I'm just looking for a little feedback here. Doesn't anyone use an external viewfinder with a 45mm lens? How bad is the parallax at that focal length? Just give me a little scrap of a taste of what it will be like to shoot with this camera......Thanks, John/sooner

 

[Chaser]

Im my experience with a 50mm finder in 35mm photography, the only time you really need to worry is up close. I think the best thing to do would be to run a test roll through noting what you see through the viewfinder, and compare the results.

 

[Bryce]

I think the only really troublesome part of using that setup will be scale focusing such a long lens.

 

[oftheherd]

I think that is a 100mm lens for the press series, not 105, but I could be wrong. It looks like a 65mm viewfinder. If so, it has tabs for 6x7 and 6x9. However, a 100mm (or I should think, even a 105mm) was the normal lens for the press series. Even the 6x7 tabs if that is the 65mm finder, should be rather wide. If it were the 50mm finder, which it isn't unless it is a very early one (they are shaped different), it would be way to wide.

I think as already mentioned by Chaser, you are just going to have to experiment. And as Bryce mentioned, if that contraption doesn't have a rangefinder I can't see, don't forget to scale focus. Do let us know how it works out. I am curious.

As it happens, I have to use a 65mm finder at the 6x9 edges which is almost right for my 50mm since the person who sold it to me didn't have the finder. Kind of made me mad too. I paid a whole $25.00 for that lens and some other stuff.

 

[sooner]

The seller said it was a 105mm 3.5 from the Mamiya Press S, but I can't find much information about it on the web. Frankly the cool factor and my desire for a 6x9 camera may have gotten the better of me here, and you are right the scale focus will probably be the hardest part of using this rig. But given the prices of 6x9 cameras (I've been following the Fujis forever), the price of this camera made the risk seem worth it. We'll see. I will certainly report on how things turn out. Thanks for the comments.

 

[ddimaria]

you beat me

you beat me

Funny, I was bidding on this too.

 

[sooner]

Sorry ddimaria. It's sometimes hard to know how and why people bid the way they do. The seller's last camera, another hand made job with a Mamiya lens and polaroid back, sold for like $307 which was a lot more than I was willing to bid on it. I'll get back with you once I've received and tested the camera, if you're still interested.

 

[ddimaria]

Let me know how it works, I'm interested in his stuff. To tide me over in the meantime a got a Mamiya I'm waiting for.

Thanks
DD