Anyone using a Shen Hao PTB 6x17 folding vie camera

[daleeman]

This Shen Hao 6x17 filed camera has caught my eye. Spoke with Jeff at Bagger Graphics today about the camera and I thought before I just melt the credit card I would ask if anyone has had experience with them.

Seems it is just my kind of animal. Fairly easy looking to transport. Shoots on an included 6x17 roll film back (120 roll only, 4 per roll).

Would love to hear any advice or experience with one.

Lee

 

[Klainmeister]

Well, although I haven't used it, I do know someone who has spent quite some time with it. 6x17 is an awesome format that I wish I could get into more. The problem that he cited with the Shen was that he seemed to consistently have issues with film flatness, so no matter the lens, things weren't always sharp across the whole image. Like old Soviet cameras, perhaps only advancing film just before taking the picture could alleviate this.

Have you considered Fuji or Horsemans? More expensive, but I have used them and can swear by their quality.

 

[Rob Skeoch]

I did a video about one. Maybe something of use in there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grdhe_Hs7hc

-Rob

 

[Jeff Bannow]

Hey Lee,

It looks like a nice camera. I've got a DaYi Shift II 6x17 that takes lens cones. Benefit to that is you can shoot handheld if you want, and the negative is a lot less movements (only front rise/fall). You're welcome to take a look any time if you want.

Any idea what the difference between that and the other 6x17 shen hao is?

 

[daleeman]

I did a video about one. Maybe something of use in there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grdhe_Hs7hc

-Rob

WOW. I am very impressed. Just jumped my interest a bunch.

 

[daleeman]

Hey Lee,

It looks like a nice camera. I've got a DaYi Shift II 6x17 that takes lens cones. Benefit to that is you can shoot handheld if you want, and the negative is a lot less movements (only front rise/fall). You're welcome to take a look any time if you want.

Any idea what the difference between that and the other 6x17 shen hao is?

Jeff,
Cool camera. My old boss had a Linholf and it looked like your a bit. Fixed lens, lots of fun the one weekend he let me use it. The camera burned up in a fire in 1988. Bummer. I'll have to look for the E6 films I shot with it, forgot all about it until I saw your camera.

Maybe bring it to John's when you hook up the "little guy" next time.

Lee

 

[Jeff Bannow]

We'll definitely have it with us!

 

[daleeman]

We'll definitely have it with us!

Hay Jeff,
You asked what the difference was between this model and the other 6x17 format Shen Haos. Other than folding I am not certain. The back on the folder has limited movements I believe and focusing from behind is unusual too. I wonder if you saw the YouTube video pasted in above. It showed a lot of insightful features.

I do like the quick deploy-ability of your camera. How does it focus. Is that cone rigid that holds the lens?

The last thought, besides the money to buy a 6x17 is how to deal with the images after creating the negs. I have a flat bed that should handle it for virtual images and doing Van Dykes off the long negs sounds like fun but anything else looks like it generates issues.

 

[Jeff Bannow]

I did see the video, and it looks interesting indeed. I guess I should contact Badger to see if they can explain the differences between the 2 models (other than folding / non-folding). The Shen Hao website actually shows 3 models I believe, but doesn't explain why you would choose one over another.

It deploys in seconds - in fact you can attach a neck strap and shoot handheld! The cone is rigid, but it has a focusing helical so you can adjust from a few meters to infinity. If shooting handheld, you would use the viewfinder to roughly frame a shot, set the distance on the helical, and then fire. You can also remove the back, attach the ground glass and focus and frame with a loupe, just like a 4x5. The downside is that it has less movements.

For printing, you would need a 5x7 enlarger, or build something custom. Although, the contact prints from it do look really nice! (but small).