6x9 for Head and Shoulders portraiture?

[Hamster]

I am not sure if the thing I am looking for exist.

A camera that allows me to do head and shoulders portraits as 6x9cm contact prints.

The kind of aesthetics I look for should be the same as what I get with a 75mm lens on a 35mm camera.

Ideally uses 120 roll films and reasonably fast to setup and use.

I tried 6x9 folders, but the close focus can just about do 3/4 length portraits and can't get any closer.

I did a bit of research and these came up:
Fuji G690 with 100 or 150mm lens
Kodak Medalist converted to 120 roll film

Any ideas? Do I really need to go LF to get the results I want?

 

[elekm]

If you get some close-up lenses for a 6x9 folder, then you could closer work for portraits.

I think the closest you can usually get with many folders is about five feet or so, so I know what you mean about not being able to get too close.

However, with a negative that big, you could always crop. Unless you'd rather not, which is understandable.

A portrait with a 6x9 folder. As I recall, I didn't want to get any closer, but not because he was threatening. This is my brother-in-law -- incredibly kind man.

 

[dwdmguy]

I just put up in the classifieds the perfect camera for this.
The Mamiya Super 23 with 150mm lens with 6x9 back.

 

[Anscojohn]

For head and shoulders with that format you are going to need a longer than normal lens, or it seems to me you would be getting facial image distortion. I may be wrong.

 

[Rolleiflexible]

Forget the Medalist and the folders.
They will not get you that close.

My suggestion would be a Graflex
Super D with a 6x9 roll film back.
I've used this for close portraits and
it worked well, and it gives you some
flexibility in lens choices. I'm attaching
a photo I shot with a 3x4 Super D and
its stock 152mm Ektar lens. I believe
you can get closer even than this --
I do not recall racking the lens all the
way out but I shot this ages ago so my
memory might be off.

 

[DanielStone]

crown graphic with a 6x9 rollfilm back. put a press-style shutter on there, so you don't have to re-cock in between shots.

or a BABY crown graphic.

-Dan

 

[gandolfi]

Voigtlaender Bergheil 6x9 with roll film back. (you can change lenses on this beauty)

 

[fotch]

4x5 view camera with a 6x9 roll film back or the Crown/Speed Graphic with the roll film back. The Graflex SLR, like the Super D is a good choice if you don't need to use flash however, the lens already are on the long side, which is great with 4x5 film, maybe not with the 6x9 image.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Fuji Gx680 SLR or a Mamiya Rb67, crop as needed to get a 6x9 aspect ratio.

You can shoot 4x5 and shave 1/3" off each side to get a 2x3 aspect ratio.

 

[ghart]

Here's what works for me for head and shoulder portraits:

Ebony 45S, 240 Fuji A lens, Horseman 6x9 RFH.

George

 

[tessar]

I like using an old 3x4 Graflex SLR (cheapest format to find) fitted with a 6x9 rollfilm holder. The 162mm normal lens is roughly equal to a 75mm lens on a 35mm camera, just right for head & shoulders. Also, the uncoated Kodak Anastigmat yields smooth skin tones and great bokeh with the lens open to f/5.6 or 8. Wonderful in open shade, both in b&w and color.

 

[herb]

6x9 for head and shldrs

I just sold a Horseman VHR, which will take up to a 270mm lens and all the way down to 47mm(?) or at least a 65mm and all in between.

I had one with a reflex viewer, made life really simple.

 

[Hamster]

Wow thanks guys. Seems like a bewildering array of choices.

Many here seems to suggest sheet film cameras. Would it be worthwhile to start looking into 4x5 and get a rollfilm back instead?

Does movement (swing/tilt) give you more degrees of freedom when it come to portraiture?
Actually practical with living breathing subjects?
Is it more of an asset or an hindrance?
Worth getting a crown graphic? Or shall I start with something that is more "industry standard"? Technikas?

I know I will have to work a lot slower, and composing is going to be slow as well.

Right now I am in no hurry to buy, as I have a Rollei. So I can look for good deals as they come along.

 

[fotch]

You might consider getting a press camera, like a Speed or Crown Graphic and a roll film adapter. This can be used anywhere easily. The view camera is more for stationary subjects and a bit less portable, although that depends on which view camera is chosen.

The press camera can function as a view camera (with fewer movements) a field camera, rangefinder camera, sport finder for fast action, use sheet or roll film, do close ups, change lens to wide angel or telephoto, and is very rugged and repairable.

JMHO