Rittreck View 5x7 explainer video

I saw someone carrying a compact looking camera nearly 20 years ago at Wolverhampton camera fair, he'd just bought it and I asked if I could have a look. It was the Rittreck 7x5 with 2 backs. Lovely camera, I was impressed.

When the Rittreck 7x5 camera was released in 1963 Japan still used Half plate film, but with an International back it could use 7x5, Half plate, and European 13x18cm holders. Forward thinking to export it as a 7x5 camera.

The equivalent Toyo Half Plate Field camera did not have a standard International half plate back, which is odd, Ut was introd the same year as the Rittreck. The 5x4 back is International fit.

Ian
 
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I have the Toyo field Sakai special , the equivalent ish , plus point it is much lighter but downside is only rear tilt and uses the small Graflex lens boards , revolving rear 4x5 on this one with bail , I have an international style 5x7 Shen Hao back that I plan to mount with a sheet of aluminium, that will lighten the camera further and allow the use of an international 5x7 mount 6x17 roll film back.
They were cheap from Japan but supply seems to have dried up a bit as well as the Rittrecks.
 

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The 5x4 back on mine is very slightly different, and it rotates. I bought a focus hood recently for £4.99 = postage.

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I don't mind the Pacemaker/Super Graphic lens boards, I just bought another 3 from the US. I have a Super Graphic and a Pacemaker Speed Graphic, and when I moved abroad 20 years ago LF lenses were cheap on eBay so I had a separate set in Turkey.

That's a 90mm f5.6 Super Angulon and has the widest rear cell of my 5x4 or 7x5 lenses.

I bought 4 backs a couple of months ago and have a wooden 7x5 spring back, and a 5x4 back came fitter to a strange sliding back panel. The panel almost fits this Toyo, I'll ask an friend who's an engineer if he can adapt it to fit.

Ian
 
yours looks be in better condition than mine - a slightly bent hinge bracket but very fixable, I am on wista boards but have an adapter board to modify for compatibility , I have a set of green bellows to fit as well.
 
I am just 3d printing a 5x7 film back for my Rittreck, so I can try a 5x7 size film, anybody got a spare 5x7 film holder they dont need..
 
Hey, on topic will this take a 5x7 back? It looks like there's tons of room. I thought I had seen that there are dedicated 4x5 and 5x7 Rittrecks. But this definitely looks like it has room to go up to the 5x7 size.

 

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Looks like mine and it works with 5x7 and 5x4 backs. There’s also a 10x8 adapter for the same body. Quite the system. Nice price too.
 
Mine came with the 5x7 and 5x4 backs as well as a Linhof lens panel adapter. I managed to source a 6x7 sliding back for it too.

It's great camera to use, but boy is it heavy!

Mike
 
mpirie said:
Mine came with the 5x7 and 5x4 backs as well as a Linhof lens panel adapter. I managed to source a 6x7 sliding back for it too.

It's great camera to use, but boy is it heavy!

Mike
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I have a Kodak Specialist 2 which the Rittreck would replace when I get around to it. I would have thought the Kodak would be heavier. Certainly the Rittreck looks more compact.
 
lol, i have a Specialist 2 too, but grab the Rittreck first since the Specialist feels a bit more flimsy!

Mike
 
Had to do some snooping but the internet is telling me the Kodak starts at almost 6kg!
 
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