DIY medium format stereo camera

[bergytone]

I'd like to build a self contained medium format (120) stereo camera. I don't want to just tape together a couple cameras and push both shutters simultaneously. I'd like to take two donor cameras and use the parts to build a new case around them to make a true stereo (but odd looking) camera. I first thought of taking a couple of cheap kodak hawkeye brownies and use the lens and shutter assemblies, but after a little research, it sounds like you need to have relatively sharp images for stereo to work. SO the meniscus lenses in those cheap cameras won't cut it.

So I got to looking at a Richoflex VI I've got laying around and see that it's made so the lenses are simply mounted, they have the gear front so they could be synchonized, and you could even use the viewing lens for focusing. Similar to those Sputniks. I haven't shot any film in the Ricohflex, and I know they have a pretty simple 3 element lens. Anybody have any experience with it? I'm going to load up that camera next week. I wish there was something to take pictures of outside instead of snow.

I'm looking for suggestions on a lens/shutter combo that I could find without breaking the bank, and I certainly don't want to rip apart a good rollei for a DIY project. Any thoughts on a cheap camera I can find all over E^&y that will give reasonably sharp images?

I've got a Realist coming in the mail... should be a good learning experience, but I'd like to have bigger negatives. And one of those sputniks...kinda pricey and certainly not as fun as building it yourself!

 

[mbf4755]

Well, I'm not really answering your questions, but here is a homemade stereo camera, completed in 2013, fabricated from two Rolleicords:
http://www.meinezersaegtenkameras.de/ETriLR.html

This is not my project; I just enjoyed reading about it.

Matt

 

[winterclock]

I've been tempted to do this with a couple of Ciroflex cameras. You would have to get two of the same model to match the shutters and lenses, but would be able to start your project with two piles of parts. I was very pleasantly surprised at the quality of the Wollensak lens on my model E.

 

[bergytone]

I like that. Two rolleicords is way out of my budget, but it was cleverly done with minimal mods to the cameras. There are lots of TLRs that have those geared lenses, they would probably be the easiest to adapt.

Whenever I want to see how good the images are with a camera, I go to Flickr and look for a group with that camera. For example, the Ciro-flex has a group, and some of the shots posted are pretty sharp...

 

[gone]

You might want to try an Argus Argoflex TLR, and build something like that FrankenFlex on the above link. They have lighter bakelite bodies (that dual Rolleiflex must weight a LOT), and are considerably smaller than most TLRs. The WLF are all metal. Lens is a triplet, but they produce wonderfully sharp photos even wide open. They have the geared lenses, and would seem well suited for your needs since they also have self cocking shutters, so that's one less thing to deal with. The bakelite bodies would be easy to modify, or at least easier than metal.

Mine is a very sturdy and reliable camera. You can find these for $20 to $30 all day long. They came in many models, but the one on the link below takes 120 film, and that's the model you probably want (the others are for 620). It doesn't necessarily need to say its an E model anywhere on the camera, it just needs to look like this AND have those wire type strap lugs. That's the tip off that it shoots 120. I also have a pic from mine below.

http://mattsclassiccameras.com/argoflex_e.html