A 6x17 hack, what do you think?

scheimfluger_77 · Mar 27, 2016

I think I had a brainstorm this afternoon. Like most of us I have a more or less permanent condition of GAS. I like the idea of 120 roll film in this format but the options are $600 and up starting with those nice Diya units with a Graflok attachment. And forget about a dedicated camera for 6x17.

One could always rationalize that it's easy to do 6x17 on your 5x7, just crop and compose appropriately. A good resolution but there are so many cool films available in 120, but not sheet--particularly 5x7 sheet.

Then it hit me, why not adapt a 5x7 holder to load a 17cm strip of 120 film. The major hurdle would be building a guide inside the holder that would hold the film flat and clear the dark slide. Tape would be one way, but a little dicey in the dark. Why not use thin Bass wood strips to create the 6cm guide, and thin brass sheets to make the lip on top of the wood strips. Both are readily available from the craft store. I have some 1/16" thick bass wood strips and some .010 sheet brass. It turns out the thickness of the two combined easily cleared the the darkslide in one of my film holders. It will probably be several months before I can get to this little adventure, but it looks like there is another project in my future.

Kshaub103 · Mar 27, 2016

This sounds like a very interesting project. But not to influence your GAS there is a newly posted 6x12 roll film back in the recent classified with no mask tho.

Loupe-It · Apr 16, 2016

Hello.
Why not just buy a Chinese 6x17 roll film back?
Or better yet, modify a WWII Navy torpedo camera roll film back?
Here is my custom 6x17 Plaubel Peco Jr. with that exact back! it encompasses many eras: c. 1945 film back; c. 1958 view camera, c.1990 bellows, c. 2000 lens!

Peter Schrager · Apr 16, 2016

brilliant!!

senderoaburrido · Apr 17, 2016

I've looked at DIY panoramics before, and the primary issue that comes up is film-plane flatness. You need to make sure that whatever you have holding it in place is also holding the film tightly flat. Usually, on a 120 back for a Hasselblad, for example, you have little clamps on the edges plus the tension between the reels. Taping down a slip of film might not hold it perfectly flat, and you'll experience resultant distortions.

36cm2 · Apr 17, 2016

Loupe-It said:
Hello.
Why not just buy a Chinese 6x17 roll film back?
Or better yet, modify a WWII Navy torpedo camera roll film back? View attachment 154700
Here is my custom 6x17 Plaubel Peco Jr. with that exact back! it encompasses many eras: c. 1945 film back; c. 1958 view camera, c.1990 bellows, c. 2000 lens!

View attachment 154700

That is one awesome camera!

Dr Croubie · Apr 17, 2016

Extremely happy owner of a DaYi 617 back that I use on my Toyo 45G (about as much as sheet film these days).
Biggest downside is the limited lens range, 90-150mm (cuts off even on my 180mm Symmar-S).
One day I'll manage to afford a dedicated Shen Hao PT617 (about $2300 US at badger graphic for comparison)
I just saw a fleabay auction end last week put up by Adorama, a VPan 617, which is the monorail equivalent of the ShenHao Folder and looks a lot like that Peco above, it only went for US$800 or so which is a bargain for the extreme extra versatility over a Fuji or Technorama.

I see those torpedo backs go occasionally for half the price of a Dayi back, I'm handy with CAD and I know a few guys with milling and 3d printing machines, maybe I'll give that a go.

The range of 120 vs sheet film is a big plus too, I'm shooting a wedding in Octember for some friends, I'm already planning a few Delta 3200 617s of the bridal-table...

LJH · Apr 17, 2016

Beware the weight of the torpedo!!

SMBooth · Apr 18, 2016

Why not just cut a dark slide down the middle and have two 2x7 images per sheet. Easier then messing around with cutting roll film to length in the dark.

Dr Croubie · Apr 18, 2016

SMBooth said:
Why not just cut a dark slide down the middle and have two 2x7 images per sheet. Easier then messing around with cutting roll film to length in the dark.

I've done that with 8x10 to make two 4x10 shots. Only done one frame, to be fair, and it had light-leaks all over it from inserting the half-slide, but that was probably my own fault.
Definitely have to keep it shielded with a darkcloth when inserting the halfslide. Also it was a bitch to use my 210mm Fujinon W on it, but now that I've got a bag-bellows I'm going to give it another go one day...

Ian Grant · Apr 18, 2016

About 9 years ago I looked at various options, I was put of by people on this forumf the DaYi back because it couldn't be ueed with WA lenses on my 5x4 camera and went for a Goaers 617 camera instead with 75mm & 90mm cones. I only use the 75mm lens as I found the 90mm too long a FL for the Panoramas I shoot.

However it means carrying an additional camera. I've seen and saved files showing a very nice home made 6x17 and think I can make a back in a similar way however it would be too wide for my Wista or Super Graphic. I decided to build my own camera, I have 5x4 backs and will be using the track etc from a Speed Graphic with a Super Graphic front standard to give me reasonable movements, it'll take Wista lens boards and the idea is to have a 617 as well as the 5x4 back.

I now have a second option and have begun re-building a parts 7x5 Seneca City View, I've made a new front standard lens board holder taking Wista/Linhof lens boards, it had no 7x5 back but I've adapted a scrap one and next is a 5x4 back then a 6x17. One advantage of the City View is the base-board can be split making a WA 7x5 camera, great for a 75mm on 617 .

Ian

scheimfluger_77 · Apr 18, 2016

senderoaburrido said:
I've looked at DIY panoramics before, and the primary issue that comes up is film-plane flatness. You need to make sure that whatever you have holding it in place is also holding the film tightly flat. Usually, on a 120 back for a Hasselblad, for example, you have little clamps on the edges plus the tension between the reels. Taping down a slip of film might not hold it perfectly flat, and you'll experience resultant distortions.

Good point, but I think I have a solution. I picked up some 1/32" x 3" x 24" balsa at the craft store, did a sandwich test with 1/16" balsa and came up with a workable combo. The 1/16" sandwiched on top of the 1/32" with a 2mm lip looks like it will hold 120 film flat but still allow it to slide easily, and clear the dark slide.

...

Hmmm, another thought. I've been thinking all along to make two inserts so the strip of 120 would be centered in the film holder, but it doesn't have to be. Why not one insert wide enough to use one of the existing lips to hold one side of the film. That way the film strip would be on one side of the holder, not really a positioning issue with a view camera.

Loupe-It · Mar 5, 2017

Hello All,
For those of you who are interested in my Plaubel Peco Jr. custom 6x17 camera, I plan on offering it for sale on Fleabay sometime this Spring - Summer 2017!
I have really enjoyed using it, but I am in the process of selling all of my film equipment, not because I prefer digital capture, but because the gear is just too heavy for me to keep backpacking it around. (

The camera will include the following:
Plaubel 6x9 geared camera (including the original red bellows, back standard, bag bellows, 6x9 film holders and original hard case)
6x18 conversion kit, with ground glass, and (2) removable film backs.
Three mounted Nikkor lenses on black Copal shutters: 75mm, 150 mm & 210 mm each with its own cable release. (all lens caps, and two lens boards custom cut by S.K. Grimes)
Berlebach wood tripod with ball head & carrying case.
BTZS 4X5 Focus Hood.
Lowepro bag.
Film.

All you will need is a light meter and some creativity!
All the best.

TheToadMen · Mar 5, 2017

Loupe-It said:
Hello All,
For those of you who are interested in my Plaubel Peco Jr. custom 6x17 camera, I plan on offering it for sale on Fleabay sometime this Spring - Summer 2017!

Why don't you put it up for sale het on APUG first?

Loupe-It · Apr 6, 2017

Hello,
I may just do that! I will also be selling my entire Ebony Kit and a studio Toyo.
Everything must go. My fleabay user name is: Visions-In-Time
All the best.

A 6x17 hack, what do you think?

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