Show Us Your Camera

[lharby]

Nas I have one as well, great camera, but like you say quite heavy, but built like a tank. I made and 3d printed a film back so I could use my lomography instant back on it. I also made all my lens boards for it.

Would defo like to see pics of this.

I thought that model boasted it was lightweight given how much it folds up, although I get that it looks pretty sturdy.

I would also be interested in using the lomograflok if I am ever lucky enough to find the Rittreck.

 

[Nas]

Nas I have one as well, great camera, but like you say quite heavy, but built like a tank. I made and 3d printed a film back so I could use my lomography instant back on it. I also made all my lens boards for it.

It’s very handy to be able to 3D print parts. I only use my LomoGraflok for processing my Instax film. I prefer to load them in 5x4 holders with some adapters I bought from Jagglé in Germany.

 

[lharby]

I was lucky enough to have a friend 3d print lens boards for my cameras, in the various copal sizes. Super useful. But I also love it that tons of people are tinkering with that stuff now and being able to make little Frankenstein monsters with their gear.

 

[Ian Grant]

Would defo like to see pics of this.

I thought that model boasted it was lightweight given how much it folds up, although I get that it looks pretty sturdy.

I would also be interested in using the lomograflok if I am ever lucky enough to find the Rittreck.

I remember seeing one of the Half Plate Rittreck metal field cameras at Wolverhampton Camera Fair quite a few years ago, I was surprised how light and small it was. Actually I saw someone carrying it and asked if I could have a look, he'd just bought it, I was impressed. The Toyo Half Plate View camera is similar.

Pre-WW2 Japanese field cameras were copies of cameras made in India by companies like Houghton India Ltd, so used UK plate/film formats, continued in use after the war.

Unfortunately Toyo's Half plate field camera does not take modern International Half Plate film holders, despite only being introduced in, and these half plate backs are now rare. It is possible to modify them. Rather odd though as Toyo had bought the tooling and rights to make the Graflex Super Graphic from Singer around 1970, and their first own design Half Plate field camera does not take International Half Plate. 13x18cm or 5xy International film holders,

Ian

 

[HowLarge]

This is the metal Light Toyo field 2.6kg
I have new bellows to fit, an aluminium plate to fix a 5x7 back on - currently a revolving 4x5 back so my wooden 5x7 should save a bit.
Also needs the steel hinge plates straightened
But after that it’s a light robust 5x7 possibly the only downside is the later Graflex lens boards but I have a working 3d printer now

 

[Ian Grant]

When postage from the US was cheap you could buy 3 new Pacemaker Graphic lens boards for about £20, now the same ones are $38 + $16.32 postage, approx £42, same seller. I guess it's a good 15 years since I last bought some though

Well I couldn't understand why the price & postage on ebay.com differed to ebay.co.uk. The UK price includes 20% VAT, it only gets added later if you check-out on ebay.com. I have 4 cameras taking these lens boards so decided it was worth buying 3 more spares, even with VAT they work out just under £17 each.

Ian

 

[HowLarge]

Eventually I will make a pacemaker - Wista adapter it will be a slight top hat but worth it for me. I like messing about with these things.
The 5x7 wooden back I have is actually a modern Shen Hao back with the “big” grafloc sliders which comfortably hold a 5x7 6x17 roll film back which is not light but less bulky and restricted than the extra viewer cone required on a 4x5

 

[phdgent]

This is my Robert Rigby 4"x5" pinhole camera.
The sole LF camera left after I sold the Linhof Kardan GT 4"x5" and the Sinar Norma 13x18cm when I went on retirement.

The Rigby is a fine wooden camera made in the very English cabinet making tradition.

 

[Barney]

I originally wanted to move to 4x5 as I wanted the extra flexibility of the camera movements, however looking at the image quality differences its difficult to go back to smaller formats. But in a flexible approach to my photography there is room for all formats.
Me and my Mrs are taking a break in a few weeks to celebrate her 60th Birthday and considering the great photo opportunities there I could not imagine not taking my 4x5 but, alas; it is to big. Undeterred I looked around for something smaller and bought this Crown Graphic mainly due to its portability. There are some restrictions on the movements but I decided that I would work around them rather than not take a 4x5.

 

[Soulstar89]

I originally wanted to move to 4x5 as I wanted the extra flexibility of the camera movements, however looking at the image quality differences its difficult to go back to smaller formats. But in a flexible approach to my photography there is room for all formats.
Me and my Mrs are taking a break in a few weeks to celebrate her 60th Birthday and considering the great photo opportunities there I could not imagine not taking my 4x5 but, alas; it is to big. Undeterred I looked around for something smaller and bought this Crown Graphic mainly due to its portability. There are some restrictions on the movements but I decided that I would work around them rather than not take a 4x5.

View attachment 6468

I relate Barney, once I got my 4x5 it was hard to shoot my 35mm or rz67. I always took too long to finish a 36 roll of 35mm film. The rz67 is great for multiple exposure but it’s awkwardly shaped and as. Heavy as my wista kit but more awkward to pack. My misses has a mamiya 7ii with the panoramic adapter but it’s meh with the 80mm lens. Now I’ve got a 8x10 back it makes 4x5 feel small loool.

I hope you both enjoy her birthday celebrations.

 

[Barney]

I relate Barney, once I got my 4x5 it was hard to shoot my 35mm or rz67. I always took too long to finish a 36 roll of 35mm film. The rz67 is great for multiple exposure but it’s awkwardly shaped and as. Heavy as my wista kit but more awkward to pack. My misses has a mamiya 7ii with the panoramic adapter but it’s meh with the 80mm lens. Now I’ve got a 8x10 back it makes 4x5 feel small loool.

I hope you both enjoy her birthday celebrations.

Thanks for your Good wishes.

And the warning that if I try 8x10 I will be in the same boat. LOL

I have told myself that I am going to make my Own 8x10, that should slow things down a bit. Ha Ha !

 

[Nas]

Nice choice, Barney. These are solid cameras and great for travelling with especially if you have the pop-up hood to protect the ground glass screen. I can't remember using any movements on my Wista for the first 5+ years at least (apart from a little rise/fall). Using them with large format is not obligatory

 

[Barney]

Nice choice, Barney. These are solid cameras and great for travelling with especially if you have the pop-up hood to protect the ground glass screen. I can't remember using any movements on my Wista for the first 5+ years at least (apart from a little rise/fall). Using them with large format is not obligatory

I was surprised when I got it, there is a metal hood and the engineering is superb. The mechanics of it it are like new it just oozes quality of components and manufacture. I am really impressed with it, but what swung it was when I was at Ian's house for a lesson on camera movements, he set it in 20 seconds in the living room and walked into the garden and it was already perfectly set up for the shot, focus, tilt, everything ! Incredible.

I have seen quite a few 4x5 shots where rear camera movements have caused distortion problems so having non present on the camera may be a huge plus !

LOL

 

[Nas]

I was surprised when I got it, the engineering is superb. The mechanics of it it are like new it just oozes quality of components and manufacture.

Couldn't agree more. If you're ever inclined to do some modifications to allow some movements it's possible to have some front swing (my first Speed Graphic had been modified by the previous owner who stripped it down to service it) and also to flip the front standard around to give you front tilt forwards instead of backwards. I've done that mod myself and it's non destructive. I found a video on YouTube which explained that.

 

[Barney]

Couldn't agree more. If you're ever inclined to do some modifications to allow some movements it's possible to have some front swing (my first Speed Graphic had been modified by the previous owner who stripped it down to service it) and also to flip the front standard around to give you front tilt forwards instead of backwards. I've done that mod myself and it's non destructive. I found a video on YouTube which explained that.

I thought that design was maybe a plus as when you drop the front baseboard the tilt could be excessive, and the bigger rear tilt would allow finer control, there is enough to get the lens-board vertical and a little past it rearwards but still retaining the huge amount of forward tilt.

 

[Barney]

Couldn't agree more. If you're ever inclined to do some modifications to allow some movements it's possible to have some front swing (my first Speed Graphic had been modified by the previous owner who stripped it down to service it) and also to flip the front standard around to give you front tilt forwards instead of backwards. I've done that mod myself and it's non destructive. I found a video on YouTube which explained that.

I confused myself there, swing would be nice!