6x8 film holders?

[Robert]

Well are they?-))

 

[Donald Miller]

I have not seen any holders in this format size on Ebay, that I can recall. But then, I probably wouldn't have noticed them as much as other formats. Obviously this size is not something that is an off the shelf item. I would guess that if you are unable to locate them in the used market, then you would need to have them custom made. Sandy King (S&S film holders) will probably be the least expensive place to have them custom made.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Actually 6x8 or 6.5x8.5 inch (full plate) size?

 

[Donald Miller]

David,
Now that you mention it...I believe that you are correct. I was not thinking of the 1/2 inch additional above the original enquiry. Yes, I have seen that size on Ebay from time to time...infrequently since they are not very common. There is a fellow or camera store in the pacific northwest (Seattle if my memory serves me) that has listed that format camera and holders from time to time. Thanks for bringing that up.

 

[Ole]

They're a bit less common than 4¾" x 6½". If anyone is desperate for some of these, I have a few in a drawer somewhere

 

[Robert]

I've been keeping my eyes out for a bigger camera. They all seem to either have problems or get bid way up or both. A few weeks ago some one was selling an 8x10 with I think 10" of bellows. I decided that was a little too short-) Then you've got the ones with lace bellows. I'm think I'll pass on the fixer upper 6x8 to-)

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I figure it's hard enough to get involved with LF, so you might as well start with a camera that uses a format for which you can easily find lenses, holders, and such (i.e., 4x5 or 8x10), and then when you get crazy like me with my 11x14" or even more crazy like William Levitt with his 12x15", you'll have enough of the basics mastered to deal with all the problems of adapting an odd format camera.

 

[SteveGangi]

I have to agree. With standard size cameras, everything tends to cost less and be easier to find. If the size 6x8 is a plate size, you may find something, but sticking to sizes that are still in use will make everything easier. Keep in mind though, that as the camera/film size goes up, your lens choices decrease becasue of coverage. I stopped when I got to 8x10 for reasons of cost, size and weight.

 

[Robert]

I already have a 210mm and 360mm that will cover 8x10. Neither will win a beauty contest and the 360mm Nikon is very tight on my 4x4 lens board but I'm okay for lens. Nice thing about process lenses sooner or later the person who outbid you the last time decides they can't figure out how to use the thing and resells it-)

What I really would like is an 8x10 with a 5x7 reducing back. Even better one with a 4x5 to. I skipped on a B&J wooden camera that would have been lighter then my 4x5 but it was missing parts. It still got pretty expensive. Aren't old floppy B&J supposed to be cheap-)

The 6x8 actually sounded like a nice format to contact print. I only really want the larger camera to contact print. But the longer I looked at the pictures the more it looked like a woodworking project. Even with the small pictures I could see missing parts. I was scared just how much needed to be replaced. Checking the completed auctions a seller actually tried to sell some 6x8 holders awhile back. No bids.

 

[edbuffaloe]

Sandy King and Sam Wang will make film holders in any size upon request.

 

[sanking]

In fact I have a few new S&S 6 1/2 X 8 1/2 holders stashed around somewhere from a batch that we made a couple of years back for a customer. If anyone is interested just contact me directly, sanking@clemson.edu.

The 6 1/2 X 8 1/2 (or full plate) format has a lot of history behind it as it was one of the most popular formats in the 19th century. I personally favor it over 5X7 for vertical shots of still life work, flowers and so forth.



Sandy King