Very excited to build a medium format Cameradactyl camera which takes a Mamiya Press lens and RB67 back(s). Here is the work in progress:
Building a medium format Cameradactyl camera!
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Looks great, congrats. How far in are you with it? More importantly when the first test can be expected?
OP
OP
I was talking with Ethan tonight to figure out some last minute adjustments but tomorrow morning I should have it working and then about 1-2 weeks before I get film back hopefully.
I bought this camera from the makers. it's a marvel. I have made a page about it http://www.oddcameras.com/cameradactyl_universal_travel.htm
And is better than a Mamiya Press body because?
These 3D printed cameras make me want one that can mount a Mamiya 7 lens and a Hasselblad back, and combined with the 43mm lens be a cheap SWC.
...it's less weight, a lot less...
What do they run? On Ebay there are several Press and Superpress bodies, from $149 to $200 or so.
According to the link above a model like the one in the OP runs $150.
Price is about the same for Press or Press super with a back, sometimes a lens, and a coupled rangefinder.
But if you don't want or need the RF, for one reason or another, or have Press or Super23 lenses with a non-functioning or non-repairable body, and 2x3 Graflok backs, this is a lot more versatile in terms of ergonomics and as noted MUCH lighter. And no reason Ethan couldn't make one to connect to other lenses (I'd gotten the impression anything that uses a helicoid and has a distance scale would work with the right mount ring). So, new, lightweight camera for your lenses to take any Graflok back including Mamiya and Graflex, for about $150.
And Brancopan for the same lenses, like an Xpan without the relatively fragile electronics.
Eventually, Cameradactyl will get some of my money. Maybe when they come up with a way to focus with RB lenses and save two or three pounds...
And Brancopan for the same lenses, like an Xpan without the relatively fragile electronics.
Eventually, Cameradactyl will get some of my money. Maybe when they come up with a way to focus with RB lenses and save two or three pounds...
OP
OP
Well I had a broken 75mm lens so I had to return it on eBay. I ordered two more Press lenses and looking at more Mamiya equipment. More adventures to come.
The Cameradactyl body is much lighter than any given actual Press body which is like carrying 5 Canon 5D bodies
The Cameradactyl body is much lighter than any given actual Press body which is like carrying 5 Canon 5D bodies
First time I hear of this firm and just looked at their shop. I am into camera design and weird cameras. And the products they offer are the most ugly ones I ever came across. But tastes vary...
Anyway, Donald made a valid point concerning weight.
Anyway, Donald made a valid point concerning weight.
How is the internal reflections handled, is it coated matte inside?
I'm asking because I printed an adapter for DSLR <-> enlarger lens from black PLA and the internal reflections are visible when shooting bright subjects / certain light conditions. I was thinking of making some kind of uneven surface inside the adapter to avoid this.
I'm asking because I printed an adapter for DSLR <-> enlarger lens from black PLA and the internal reflections are visible when shooting bright subjects / certain light conditions. I was thinking of making some kind of uneven surface inside the adapter to avoid this.
OP
OP
It is coated matte inside and pretty much free of light leaks. Examples of photos include: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/Cameradactyl,
Instead of printing ridges or baffles, just paint the inside with antireflection paint (as blackboard paint). This may be more effective at least for ridges, as in printing you will not achieve as sharp edges as in turning.
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It's probably the ridges from the printing process that are part of the problem. Use some fine grit sandpaper to take the shine off, and then paint flat black.
Ethan does a pretty good job of designing his parts to be printed easily-- that means some of the parts are larger, or shaped differently. His brancopan (35mm panoramic) is bulky, but includes auto-advance and frame counting.
As for beauty, I've always considered the Mamiya Press cameras to be a bit on the ugly side, so the homonculus isn't that bad looking to me.
OP
OP
Ethan does a pretty good job of designing his parts to be printed easily-- that means some of the parts are larger, or shaped differently. His brancopan (35mm panoramic) is bulky, but includes auto-advance and frame counting.
As for beauty, I've always considered the Mamiya Press cameras to be a bit on the ugly side, so the homonculus isn't that bad looking to me.
Agreed, plus the Press is way too heavy. I will be receiving my Mamiya ZD body soon and that's lighter than many Canon bodies. The Press is just hefty due to its box-like shape. Ethan's design is just lighter and better for shooting.
Beauty's in the eye of the beholder, of course, but I sure am in agreement with you! The Mamiya press has a face for radio!
I like the colors and the funky look. And if you want to switch it up, the Goodman Zone takes the same lenses and backs: https://www.doragoodman.com/product-page/goodman-zone-diy-camera-kit
OP
OP
Yep I ordered one of those too. I really like these innovative designs.
Mostly I have been shooting with a mostly functional Zeiss Ikonta.
The Mamiya Press has been an under rated system for a long time (IMO, obviously). Built as a press/system camera it has options for just about everything, but it was clearly intended to replace a pro esp. press photographer's Graflex, not to be an elegant compact Hasselblad rival.
The Press/Super actually handles well (IMO) despite its bulk and relative weight. For example, the backs make natural grips even if you leave off the handgrip. There's no mirror or big shutter so it doesn't shake. But, if you are using it casually rather than as a press photographer, it's a lot to carry around. The body size is large to accommodate all the features and there are a lot of parts that stick out, so it takes up most of your bag.
The Cameradactyl Homonculus could easily be an adjunct to a Mamiya Press system rather than a rival. Lighter and more compact so you could put it in a shoulder bag, or travel with it. I'll get one eventually for this reason. Really most suited for wide angle lenses (tele lenses would need an aux rangefinder and be awkward). The film backs are a tradeoff - I like the flat film path of the Mamiya M backs, and the grip ends, but they are a lot wider, which is probably a reason Ethan went with the compact Graflex/RB67 style.
If you do scale focusing with Mamiya Press lenses, please note that the lens DoF marks are optimistic - they're computed for a circle of confusion of 0.1 mm. Stop down about 1 stop compared to what the DoF marks say, to scale the c-o-c to 0.07mm (similar to 35mm but scaled up for the bigger negative). Or stop down 2 stops (factor of 2) for more critical results.
Edit: added more detail about the DoF marks and c-o-c.
The Press/Super actually handles well (IMO) despite its bulk and relative weight. For example, the backs make natural grips even if you leave off the handgrip. There's no mirror or big shutter so it doesn't shake. But, if you are using it casually rather than as a press photographer, it's a lot to carry around. The body size is large to accommodate all the features and there are a lot of parts that stick out, so it takes up most of your bag.
The Cameradactyl Homonculus could easily be an adjunct to a Mamiya Press system rather than a rival. Lighter and more compact so you could put it in a shoulder bag, or travel with it. I'll get one eventually for this reason. Really most suited for wide angle lenses (tele lenses would need an aux rangefinder and be awkward). The film backs are a tradeoff - I like the flat film path of the Mamiya M backs, and the grip ends, but they are a lot wider, which is probably a reason Ethan went with the compact Graflex/RB67 style.
If you do scale focusing with Mamiya Press lenses, please note that the lens DoF marks are optimistic - they're computed for a circle of confusion of 0.1 mm. Stop down about 1 stop compared to what the DoF marks say, to scale the c-o-c to 0.07mm (similar to 35mm but scaled up for the bigger negative). Or stop down 2 stops (factor of 2) for more critical results.
Edit: added more detail about the DoF marks and c-o-c.
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What would be nice camera would a Cameradacty with a Mamiya or standard Graphic sheet film back and glass focusing screen, 6X9 or 2X3 view camera, not sure how 3d printing works to allow for some movement.
Something like this? https://www.doragoodman.com/goodmanaxis
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