Combinig 4x5 and 6x17 format, super wide angle very important

[sdzsdz]

Hello everybody!


A disturbing idea came into my mind while I was carrying arround my gear last time. So far I was quite happy with a Tachihara 4x5, 75mm Lens, 150mm Lens, 210mm Lens, and a FOTOMAN 6x17 camera with 75mm Lens. Both are absolutely beautiful cameras and I´m very pleased with the results, at least after sorting out a good 75mm Lens for the Fotoman amongst a whole bunch of lenses.

BUT!

With all this stuff and the accessories I have to carry a lot of weight! AND I have 2 75mm lenses with me. AND if I want an other focal length for 6x17 I have to pay a lot of money for ANOTHER xtra lens and the matching lens cone.
So I thought by myself, why don´t you combine 4x5 and 6x17? Are you stupid? there are these chinese 6x17 backs out there. You will save a lot of weight, AND money, AND you could use every lens you want on 6x17. Isn´t this a great idea and aren´t you a very smart guy?

BUT!

The Tachihara hasn´t got an international back. AND can you still use 75mm or at least 80mm (Super-Symmar XL) because of the 6x17 back that sets the focal plane back?

And this is the most important point for me. I love these wide lenses with 6x17. I want it shorter than 90mm. So here are my questions:

- Wich is the best 4x5 leightweight field camera that has an international back and has the possibility of a very short focal-flange-distance (or can use 75mm with a 6x17 back)? I read somwhere that Chamonix is possible, what would also suit my Linhof lensboards.
- Wich 6x17 back to use?
- If I solve the problem of the ffd, is it possible to reach the same quality like I have with the fotoman?

I´m very interested in every suggestion you have!

Best regards, Sebastian

 

[wildbill]

putting a 6x17 back on any 4x5 camera limits your focal length. You can't go longer than 150mm. You'll want something that can use bag bellows too.
Carry just one camera=get a 5x7, 4x5 reducing back, 6x17 roll film back for a 5x7 camera (canham). I have a chamonix 45n-2 and I wouldn't hang a back that size off the back, it's just too much weight for the knobs to handle without tilting when you aren't looking or when you're moving the camera.

 

[Ian Grant]

It's something I've thought about for a couple of years now. I have a Wista 45DX and a Gaoersi 617 which I always use with a 75mm f8 SA and like you I find it heavy carrying both. A 4x5 camera isn't wide enough to shoot 6x17 and you need an extension back which rules out lenses like a 75mm,,

My initial thoughts were to build a slightly ovesized case and use a Pacemaker Graphic focus track with a Super Graphic front standard (to get more movements (I have plenty of parts), then have two backs one for 5x4 the other for 6x17 - I found someone online who'd made an excellent 6x17 roll film back/holder the design could be adapted..

However more recently I've a acquired 3 Seneca 7x5 View cameras and it will be even easier to use one (a City View) with a choice of 7x5, 5x4 or 617 backs and I've already made an adapter to use my Wista lens boards with it.

Ian

 

[sdzsdz]

A 5x7 camera would be a possibility but then I won´t save any weight and space in my backpack. Also it is no solution for the wide angle problem, isn´t it?
I know that I have a limitation to longer focal lenghts arround 150-180mm with a 6x17 back on 4x5 but that would be more than I have now. And if I would buy a 150mm Lens and cone for the Fotoman it would be very expensive and needs a lot of space in the backpack!

 

[Ole]

A 7x5" Gandolfi Traditional is not much larger than a 4x5" camera, and can use a 65mm WA lens. Or a 420mm lens at the other end.

 

[sdzsdz]

Hmm, ok, this seems to be another possibility to think about. But how extensive will it be? Camera+ 4x5 back+6x17 back? And do I need other lensboards then my technika ones? Where can I buy These cameras? And do you mean I could use 65mm with the 6x17 back?

Thank you all so far,

Sebastian

 

[wildbill]

he means the Gandolfi will handle the short lenses you want to use. Most (if any) 65mm won't cover 6x17 anyway.
Where do you get the cameras? google, ebay, chamonix. with a 5x7 camera and 6x17 back made for 5x7, you can use any lens you wish w/o limitations.
lens board adapters are available for most any camera that doesn't already take technika boards, not a big deal.