Horseman 985 question.

[JEC111]

Recently purchased this camera with a Super Topcor 90mm f/5.4 lens and a 6x9 roll film back. I am interested to see how it works as a 4x5 camera using a 4x5 Springback and the necessary 4x5 adaptor placed on the front rail, and I would be interested to hear anyones experience or advice in this regard. I appreciate that the adaptor is to compensate for the additional backwards shift in the film plane from the instalation of the springback and realise that this means the shortened distance onto the front rail, because of the adaptor, means that a 90mm lens at its infinity stop barely allows the front standard purchase on the front rail, meaning little useable focus other than at infinity. Before i commit to buying another lens i am trying to seek reassurance that the 105mm, 120mm or 150mm lens would work under the 4x5 set up ?
(go easy, i have only just moved up from MF and this is my first forum post ! )

 

[Ian Grant]

Welcome, you seem to have been overlooked.

The Horseman 850 has a Graflok back, Spring backs are fixed and not removable. A 90mm lens shouldn't really need a recessed lens board, but it may be worth buying one. Other FL lenses, forget 105mm or 120, they are too close to 90mm or a standard lens, go a 135mm or 150mm these are typical 5x4 standard lenses, and then perhaps a 210mm.

Ian

 

[JEC111]

Welcome, you seem to have been overlooked.

The Horseman 850 has a Graflok back, Spring backs are fixed and not removable. A 90mm lens shouldn't really need a recessed lens board, but it may be worth buying one. Other FL lenses, forget 105mm or 120, they are too close to 90mm or a standard lens, go a 135mm or 150mm these are typical 5x4 standard lenses, and then perhaps a 210mm.

Ian

Thank you — that helps.

Just to clarify, mine is the Horseman 985 rather than the 850. I may not have used the terminology perfectly, but the accessory I mean is the Horseman 4×5 ground-glass springback/increasing-back setup with the spacer/adaptor for the 970/980/985 cameras.

My concern is less about whether 90mm is a normal usable focal length on 4×5 in general, and more about the specific 985 geometry when the 4×5 back/spacer setup is fitted. With the 90mm lens, the front standard appears to be so far back at infinity that it barely has proper purchase on the front rail.

So the question I am trying to pin down is: with the 4×5 back/spacer arrangement fitted to the 985, does a 135mm or 150mm lens place the front standard far enough forward on the rail to make the setup mechanically practical for ordinary focusing?

I take your point that 135mm or 150mm is the more sensible standard-lens range for 4×5. I am now leaning towards 150mm, provided it solves the rail-engagement issue and has adequate 4×5 coverage.

 

[Ian Grant]

I meant 985 my mistake, I notice the 90mm Topcors on eBay are usually in slightly recessed special Horseman lens boards. Can you post a photo of yours.

Any FL lenses longer than a 90mm will sit much further forward on the focus track, so no issues. You need a flat lens board for each lens, you can't swap lenses on & off a lens board in the field.

Ian

 

[JEC111]

No problem.
I think that covers just about everything.

 

[Ian Grant]

OK your lens is in the correct recessed lens board, when I looked thee 985 I saw was described as a 4x5 camera, I hadn't realised it's a 6x9.

There's probably a maximum Focal length lens you can use for 5x4 before you get vignetting. You hardly need any tilt or swing with a 90mm lens a little goes a long way, so you need to go and try it.

Ian

 

[JEC111]

OK your lens is in the correct recessed lens board, when I looked thee 985 I saw was described as a 4x5 camera, I hadn't realised it's a 6x9.

There's probably a maximum Focal length lens you can use for 5x4 before you get vignetting. You hardly need any tilt or swing with a 90mm lens a little goes a long way, so you need to go and try it.

Ian

Thanks for taking the time Ian , thank you for your Advice.