2x3 in and 6x9 cm options for the "field"

[Frank Bunnik]

What you might want to take into consideration is that the VH and VH-R models are the only ones with a rotating back. The 985, 980 and 970 do not have a rotating back and therefore you have to put the camera sideways on a tripod for vertical shots. There is a tripod attachment on the left side of the camera as well as on the bottom. The VH models also have an extra tripod attachment on the left side of the body but I do not see much use for that myself.

Before I bought my VH-R I did some research on the internet. From what I have learned, the Horseman Super lenses will cover 5x4 though I have no idea if they give much room for movements on 5x4. Plenty however on 6x9 and the quality on the edges of the picture should also be better compared to lenses designated for 6x9 only. The lenses that have an ER designation are multicoated. I have 2 Super ER lenses, a 75 and a 180mm. My other lens is a Topcor 5.6 150mm meant for 5x4, also multicoated.

I shot my first roll yesterday so later this week I will no more about the quality of these lenses. From a mechanical point of view the quality seems very good.

 

[Jim Bradley]

Horseman Info

This topic just popped up over on LFinfo.

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=46391

Brian Wallen has put together a web page with info on the Horsemans

Dead Link Removed

JGB

 

[EASmithV]

I thought 6x9cm was medium format...

 

[PCGraflex]

Hello,

I am very impressed by all I have heard about Tachihara and Shen Hao field cameras. I will likely end up getting one some day, however, I think that I would really prefer if the camera was smaller and shot 6x9 on rollfilm instead of 4x5 with a 6x9 reduction back. I want something like the Fuji GX680 (medium format with front movements), but I don't need an SLR and I want something more packable and cheaper, plus all the lens versatility benefits of a view camera. I have heard mention of a 6x9 Tachihara. Do they actually exist? If not, is there anything similar? A small, light folding 6x9 camera with movements and a Graflok back for a reasonable price? (Was a 2x3 Super Speed Graphic ever made?) For some reason I can't seem to locate a Website for the Tachihara company right now.

Yes, Graflex made a "mini speed" and later the Century and Pacemaker models in 2x3. I routinely shoot with my mini speeds, on a tripod for landscapes with various lenses.

 

[Oren Grad]

There is some discussion on the internet if it is possible to use the cam of for instance the 5.6 150mm Horseman lens on any 5.6 150mm lens or only on the dedicated 150mm lens. Contrary to Linhof cams that are matched to a particular lens with it's serial number on the cam, Horseman cams are for the focal lenght only.

I have two Horseman cams; one of them has a serial number, the other doesn't.

In any case, they're not cut for a generic lens of that focal length, they're cut for a specific Horseman lens model of that marked focal length. However, you can't assume that the actual focal length matches the marked number, or that another vendor's lens of that nominal focal length will match the actual FL for which the cam was cut.

 

[Curt]

I have a Busch C that takes all of the 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 roll backs, Grafmatic and sheet film holders. I converted it from the spring back to a Graflex with Graflok. It doesn't have a revolving back and cams for different lenses but it's a very nice camera and is light.

If my pockets were gunny sacks I'd have a full line of Ebony and Horseman.