Yet another thread about choosing a camera.

[Twigs]

After about a year with a crappy Seagull TLR (which I like, A LOT) I am ready to commit to something with a nicer set of features:

Bottom line requirements:
1. ability to shoot roll film (square format preferred)
2. close focus ability (like rollienar 2 close)

Things I would really, REALLY want:
3. movements/perspective control
4. waist level finder
5. ability to switch roll film backs

Things that would be nice, but wouldn't bother me if lacking:
6. interchangable lens
7. exposure meter

When I'm out shooting, this camera, like my Seagull TLR, will stay in the bag 90% of the time, as I will have a 35mm camera around the neck as the main shooter. So weight and set up time is not my biggest concern.

Looking at just the bottom line requirements, I am inclined to go for a Rolleiflex + Rolleinar (1 2 and 3), but I know for a fact my heart will cringe a little every time I shoot buildings/interior and see converging parallels (it's a serious pet peeve and a horrible one to have 🙁). I can always get the TLR + close up set and then correct the perspective in GIMP... but it'd be much more fun if I could do it in camera.

Some digging here and on the internet got me to believe that what I need is something like a Linhof Technika 6x9, or a Horseman VH. Can anyone recommand one or the other, or suggest an alternative?

Thank you for reading! 😀

 

[maddoc]

Don't allow some of the Bronica also movement of the back ? Just wondering ... or a Hasselblad Flexbody ?

 

[wakarimasen]

From what I've read, it sounds like a Mamiya C series may be one candidate for you, although I don't think it will help with perspective or the changeable backs.

See http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Mamiya_C3

Best regards,
RoyM

 

[MCTuomey]

view camera with rollfilm back, no? too many choices to mention between field and monorail units, but they offer the best solution to converging parallels, clearly. the rail cameras are more precise but generally heavier, while the field cameras are less precise but lighter weight.

 

[Doug]

All seven of your preferred features are met by the Fuji GX 680, though the format is 6x8 rather than 6x6 square. Do some searches on the internet and see if this system is for you. Recently discontinued, I think.

 

[Twigs]

Thank you guys 🙂

I was at the Vancouver camera show and swap meet yesterday and for the first time had the chance to handle the Mamiya C series (one vendor had the C33, C220, and the C330) and a couple of field cameras (Linhof Techinka 6x9, a $150 Busch Pressman D, and a couple of Speed Graphic's). They were all very impressive! I was especially excited with the close focus ability of the Mamiya C, and was very tempted to just go with the Mamiya TLR and live with the pet peeve.

Doug, the GX680 seems very nice, and fits within my price range too (the I/II is, not the III). I'm reading up on this system, and at first glance there are people recommending against it, for limited lens choice, proprietary battery pack, repair cost/parts availability, and the minimal gain over a field camera system.

There is still so much to research on! 😱

 

[Jason Sprenger]

FWIW, a Century Graphic or a little 2x3 Speed Graphic might work. It doesn't have a waist-level finder but it has a double extension bellows for close focusing, has some movements, takes 6x6, 6x7, and 6x9 roll backs, interchangeable lenses, ground glass focusing, a sheet film option, and with the grip is kind of neat as a hand-held.

 

[Twigs]

Jason, you're the second person to recommend the Century Graphic to me! I was just reading up on it and it does seem to fit my needs. And it is substantially (at least in numbers) smaller and more portable than the GX680, and the nostalgic look is less intimidating 🙂

Is processing 2x3 sheet film as easy as 135 and 120 in daylight tanks? I do not have a darkroom and process my b&w in the bathroom.

 

[sevo]

All seven of your preferred features are met by the Fuji GX 680, though the format is 6x8 rather than 6x6 square. Do some searches on the internet and see if this system is for you. Recently discontinued, I think.

Hulking big monster, though, and entirely designed for studio operations off a tripod. The only reasonably modern and available hand-holdable 6x6 SLR with (quite limited) camera side tilt would be the Rollei SL66 series - all others can only do it with tilt/shift lenses or macro head and bellows.

But small format (6x9) view and field cameras would offer a much wider shift/tilt range. As shift/tilt requires a tripod in any case, it is somewhat pointless to try to burden these somewhat conflicting requirements onto a single camera.

Sevo

 

[payasam]

I was about to suggest the SL66. Don't know if any one camera will meet all your requirements.

As you probably know, correcting verticals in a photo editor (I too use the GIMP) doesn't lead to perfectly accurate results.

 

[Jason Sprenger]

I use an HP CombiPlan daylight tank when I process B&W sheet film. It can handle 6 sheets at a time and works for many sizes up to 4x5. The process is pretty much the same, just using a sheet holder instead of a reel.

Because of the time needed to fill the tanks, I'm more comfortable with developers with longer development times or with Diafine where the development time isn't critical. Often I use HC-110 Dil. B or H and Diafine when I push film, which I might do when I shoot hand-held to keep f-stop number high to increase the apparent DOF.

With normal daylight tanks for reels, some folks use the "tortilla method" where film sheets are rolled into "tacos" emulsion side inward and secured with cloth covered elastic, then placed into the tank w/o reels. Once prepared, processing then occurs as with reels. I haven't tried this method but am tempted sometimes.

However, 2x3 sheet film isn't very common and seems to be getting less common. B&H carries Efke in that size and FreeStyle has some with their Arista name on it. I have some Ilford in 2x3 but I don't know where I'd get more right now.

I understand that some folks bravely cut down larger film sheets to the size they need, particularly for color and slide film. I haven't felt the need quite yet to attempt this feat... in the dark. And then there's the matter of processing color which I've only played at so far with hit and miss results.

Mostly, I use the Century Graphic with roll film and a couple of backs. The later RH-8, RH-10 and RH-12 backs have the desirable pin-rollers that help with film flatness. I like the RH-10 (6x7) because it's about the same aspect ratio as 4x5, but the RH-12 (6x6) is out there too.

You may already know about www.graflex.org. Lots of info there about all the Graphic cameras and a Q&A forum which makes good reading when thinking about one.