Anyone here using rangefinder press cameras?

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

If you do, please post your results. I have thought of shooting some 2x3 sheet film, as I see the little sheets can maybe slide into the holes of the Jobo 3005, but have never done it. Or were you going to tray process?

I'm fortunate to have a local camera shop that has stainless steel hanging racks for sheet film (and dry plates). Also picked up a daylight tank for the racks, which also works for 4x5. My 5x7 racks don't fit, so still have to do that in the dark. I'll post some photos when I get a chance - typically just print, but will have to get around to scanning some.

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

First image this camera has probably taken in decades. No editing - straight from the scanner, dust and all. This film holder seems to have a light leak on the other side, and maybe on this side as evidenced by the light areas in the sky. I used a Series VI orange filter and hood, so don't think it's flare. The orange filter lightened up the church stucco for sure. Arista EDU 400, 1/200-sec at f/11.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Well done. Your work on the shutter and focus has paid off.

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

I have one of those. I use an Adapt-A-Roll 620 with it. You can use 120 film in the AAR 620, you just have to make sure to use a 620 spool for the take up. It will feed off a 120 roll just fine.

There are some issues with it. It's not easy to load (but once you get used to it, it's not too bad). You have to either develop the film yourself, respool it back onto 120 rolls, or ask the lab for you 620 roll back (they're not impossible to find, but why go through the extra hassle of having to replace a 620 roll every time you shoot a roll of film). Also, because the 620 spool is so much smaller than the 120, they have a tendency to unwind if you're not careful. So keep that in mind when you remove the film. And lastly, the AAR 620's are pretty old and will probably work a lot better if they are properly maintained. Mine had issues with skipping frames and wasting film until I cleaned the rollers and properly lubricated it.

Other than that (and it sounds like more trouble than it actually is), it's been a great little companion for my Pressman C. The 6x9 negatives are great and using the camera as a rangefinder is a lot of fun. Plus I didn't need to do any modifications to the camera. Using flash bulbs with the "light saber" is also a lot of fun (and the flash handle makes a convenient grip when the batteries aren't installed). I do wish I had a sharper lens for it (mines a Raptar 101mm), and a wider lens would be nice (and I actually have a 65mm Schneider for my 4x5 that would satisfy both needs), but then I'd have to recalibrate the rangefinder and find a new lens board (which is the Achilles' heel of these cameras). Plus, I use that lens a lot on my 4x5, so moving it over isn't really worth the effort. Especially since I have a 4x5 Speed Graphic with a rangefinder (should I feel the need to go that wide).

I'm liking this camera more and more.

The stock lens appears to be sharp enough for handheld shooting, but I guess if something sharper is needed I have an APO Symmar in 100mm that's probably close enough to work with the rangefinder. Likely won't though; the Schneider is for more serious work using my Horseman VH. The Wollensak Tessar copy is sharp enough for most anything I'll do with this camera.

I've been able to adapt a Grafmatic to this camera by installing a couple washers between the springs for the spring back and the camera, allowing it to go in without over-stressing things.

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

Well done. Your work on the shutter and focus has paid off.

Thanks Theo

 

[Arklatexian]

I may stay with sheet film as long as it stays available. The camera folds up nicely, and mine works perfectly in every way. When folded it takes less room than some 35mm and DSLRs. I have a box of 400 speed Arista EDU that will get used up before trying anything else. Thanks for posting.

Another thing, I am not fond of Yankee or FR sheet Film Tanks for 4x5 but I found they work great with the smaller 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 films and neither is expensive. The big films developed unevenly, the small films did fine.......Regards!

 

[Arklatexian]

I'm liking this camera more and more.

The stock lens appears to be sharp enough for handheld shooting, but I guess if something sharper is needed I have an APO Symmar in 100mm that's probably close enough to work with the rangefinder. Likely won't though; the Schneider is for more serious work using my Horseman VH. The Wollensak Tessar copy is sharp enough for most anything I'll do with this camera.

I've been able to adapt a Grafmatic to this camera by installing a couple washers between the springs for the spring back and the camera, allowing it to go in without over-stressing things.

Here I go again. That Wollensak may surprise you with B&W. In a good way, that is......Regards!

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

A photo of my setup now. Great little camera.

 

[ic-racer]

I was using my Horseman today.

 

[M. Axel Wikstrom]

I was using my Horseman today.
View attachment 210771

Is that instant film? Are they an exact fit for the film holders, and can they be developed without an instant camera, such as with a heavy roller?

By the way, nice camera. I have the same, but without the rangefinder (VH). Use it as a portable view camera.

 

[ic-racer]

In did a slight modification to the flap of the film holders so it did not press down on the pod when the film is loaded. In the dark, unload them from the film holders back into the Instax cartridge. Then use the Instax camera to spit them out. I do it in my darkroom ,but it could be done in a changing tent in the field. Less cumbersome than carrying around a bucket for Type 55...

 

[ic-racer]

Here is a thread about Instax in the 6x9 (2x3) film holders, you should try it. Using film holders is better than a polaroid back because the film plane is not changed, so you rangefinder calibration still holds true. https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/instax-mini-film-fits-2-1-4-x-3-1-4-film-holders.156089/

 

[rwl7532]

My Pacemaker Graflex

I shoot sheet film which I cut myself.
Results from this camera using Portra 160:

For the picture I used a 75mm enlarging lens and (of course) the focal plane shutter.
Finally my customized developing reel:

 

[Nokton48]

Two Makinas My IIIR and III CLAed by Nokton48, on Flickr

The Plaubel Makina is a very venerable press rangefinder camera. And it folds up and fits in a coat pocket. Plaubel used to advertise it as "The World's smallest Large Format Camera." It does handle like a large format, it requires the very same mindset. I'm quite fond of mine. Build quality is amazing, like a Rolls Royce.

 

[Nokton48]

Finally my customized developing reel:
View attachment 212346 [/QUOTE]

OOH You used pop rivits to modify the JOBO 120/220 reel. Now that is very clever

 

[rwl7532]

OOH You used pop rivits to modify the JOBO 120/220 reel. Now that is very clever

Stainless steel set screws 8-32. Later I have figured out how to keep the adjustable capability intact. Next I will customize a Paterson reel.

 

[btaylor]

I think those are stainless allen head set screws— so it would be adjustable. Nifty idea!

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I have an old Linhof Standard Press which I rarely use. I respect the old time photographers that used them. They're too heavy for my taste.

 

[rwl7532]

 

[Dan Fromm]

Ralph, I don't mean to discourage experimentation and making do with what's on hand, but image quality in y'r sample shot taken with a 75 mm enlarging lens on a 2x3 Pacemaker Speed is awful.

 

[rwl7532]

Ralph, I don't mean to discourage experimentation and making do with what's on hand, but image quality in y'r sample shot taken with a 75 mm enlarging lens on a 2x3 Pacemaker Speed is awful.

Absolutely! Not on my laptop is a much better pic taken with an 85mm enlarging lens. I'll look for it.

 

[rwl7532]

Ralph, I don't mean to discourage experimentation and making do with what's on hand, but image quality in y'r sample shot taken with a 75 mm enlarging lens on a 2x3 Pacemaker Speed is awful.

The better picture. Fresh C41 developer. Portra 160 @ f/11 1/100 (slit B, tension 4) Graflex Miniature Speed Graphic, via cable release. No vignetting! Schneider Componon-S. Better lens makes for better photo.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Ralph, I still don't want to discourage experimentation and making do with what's on hand. But and however I don't think that you're getting as good image quality with y'r Componon-S -- which focal length is the one you used for y'r sample image? -- as can be obtained with a decent lens of the same focal length optimized for distance. When I was experimenting very seriously with lenses for my 2x3 Pacemaker Speed I tried out a 100/5.6 Componon-S. It didn't do as well as my humble 101/4.5 Ektar. A 105/5.6 Componon was worse than the -S; with Schneider, -S means something. All trial shots at the same distances and apertures. And there are better lenses than the 101 Ektar.

This is an old disagreement. People here and on other forums have reported that enlarging lenses are much better than good enough to use as taking lenses at all distances. Not my experience, but I haven't tried all of 'em. And casual observation finds that very few photographers use enlarging lenses as taking lenses at distance. Given how inexpensive they can be, there has to be a reason why.

Cheers,

Dan

One of the attractions of Schneider enlarging lenses is that most have cells that are direct fits in standard shutters, so are usable on, e.g., Century and Crown Graphics. I've tried out a 105/4.5 in Copal #0 Press as a macro -- 1:3 to 2:1 -- lens. Usable but I have better lenses for that application. Again, they don't seem to be in general use as taking lenses.

 

[rwl7532]

I have a 101mm Ektar but I was trying for more of a wide angle.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Ah. Wide angles for 2x3 Graphics are a problem. Inexpensive ones are even more of a problem. The 80/6.3 Wide Field Ektar excepted, there are few wide angle lenses longer than 65 mm specifically for 2x3. There's a fair number of lenses from 65 mm up for 4x5 that will work on 2x3 Graphics.

They're hard to find but 84-85mm f/6.3 Tessars will cover 2x3. Same goes for 85/6.8 Boyer Beryls. I have a couple of 3 11/32"/6.3 B&L lenses (engraved Zeiss Kodak Anastigmat and B&L Tessar Ser. IIB, respectively) harvested from Premo #12s and an 84/6.3 Krauss. My Beryl beats the Tessars but the Tessars are usable. If you look for the B&Ls, be careful. B&L quality control wasn't the best. One of B&Ls, Ser. IIB, is much much better than the other, ZKA.

If you're interested in 65 mm and shorter w/a lenses that cover 2x3, take a look at https://1drv.ms/x/s!AggQfcczvHGNkFAX-mLyj6QZlHeQ Some of the lenses in that list will work on 2x3 Speeds, others only on Century/2x3 Crown Graphics.