Folder mod: Using 127mm lens in 6x6 folder?

[baachitraka]

Actually this idea may not work since folders were designed for 75/85mm lens. But I am confused will a 127mm lens fitted into a 6x6 folder have any use?

 

[Dan Fromm]

Depends on the folder. If it focuses by moving the front standard forward on the bed it might (great stress might) have enough extension to focus a 127 to infinity, perhaps closer. If the lens is in a helical or uses front cell focusing, sorry, probably not.

If you want a folder that can use interchangeable lenses and won't fit in a pocket, look into 2x3 press cameras.

 

[Dan Fromm]

John, 127 mm lens, not 127 film.

 

[baachitraka]

Seems no DIY tele mod of a folder is possible.

 

[Barry Kirsten]

Nothing is impossible. How about: remove the original lens; make or have made a "top hat" that attaches in place of the original lens; 127mm lens attaches to the top hat, and hey presto! Sounds easy, but not very easy. The top hat is like an extension tube that gives extra effective length to the bellows to allow for the longer focal length. How to attach it is another problem to figure out. And of course the lens/top hat would have to be carried separately unless the camera is always kept unfolded. Just a few thoughts...

 

[baachitraka]

Idea to make it a portrait camera. But I think using my Pentacon Six with a 120mm biometar is rather easier. ;-)

 

[baachitraka]

Are there any folder cameras with a tele lens (85-100mm equivalent) ?

 

[SalveSlog]

You could use a 6x9 camera with a 6x6 or 4.5x6 mask. Not quite a 85-100 equivalent, though.

 

[BradS]

Are there any folder cameras with a tele lens (85-100mm equivalent) ?

You could use a 6x9 camera with a 6x6 or 4.5x6 mask.

Exactly what I was thinking. I have a Franka Rolfix folder from ca. 1951. It has a 105mm lens and is nominally a 6x9 format but it came with a film gate mask (and a second ruby window) that allows one use it to photograph in 6x6 format. So...with the film gate in place, you get a 105mm lens and a 6x6 format...How's that?

 

[Dan Fromm]

Exactly what I was thinking. I have a Franka Rolfix folder from ca. 1951. It has a 105mm lens and is nominally a 6x9 format but it came with a film gate mask (and a second ruby window) that allows one use it to photograph in 6x6 format. So...with the film gate in place, you get a 105mm lens and a 6x6 format...How's that?

Ensign Selfix 820 does the same.

As I said above, there are 2x3 press (also technical and field) cameras that fold and that accept interchangeable lenses. No 6x6ers that I'm aware of, but there are 6x6 roll holders to fit many if not all of them.

If the OP has a 6x6 six folder and a 127 mm lens, we've just seen an example of the corrupting power of, um, found items.

More seriously, OP, if you want flexibility, look into a Century or 2x3 Crown Graphic. These cameras can be used with lenses from 35 mm to ~ 250 mm without heroic measures and there are 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 2 1/4 x 2 3/4, and 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 roll holders for them.

 

[ic-racer]

If the 127mm is a telephoto or on an extended mount then yes. Otherwise it won't focus unless the bellows is elongated.

For example the Rolleiflex 120 Makro-Planar has the same flange-focal distance as the 80mm Planar.

 

[Dan Fromm]

If the 127mm is a telephoto or on an extended mount then yes. Otherwise it won't focus unless the bellows is elongated.

For example the Rolleiflex 120 Makro-Planar has the same flange-focal distance as the 80mm Planar.

Yes. It has a longer tube.

All lenses for an SLR or RF system camera have the same flange-focal distance.

 

[ic-racer]

As usual, on this forum be cautious of posts with incorrect information.
Many interchangeable lens system cameras, both SLR and Rangefinder use lenses of widely different flange focal lengths. Frequently those cameras have a bellows, like the OPs camera. So, for a longer focal length lens, the OP would need a longer bellows. Unless, as indicated, an appropriate telephoto lens is obtained.

 

[BradS]

Yes. It has a longer tube.

All lenses for an SLR or RF system camera have the same flange-focal distance.

The RB67 is an SLR....???? And the Crown Graphic is arguably a Range Finder Camera....????

 

[Sirius Glass]

Yes. It has a longer tube.

All lenses for an SLR or RF system camera have the same flange-focal distance.

No, the flange focal length will be different if the lens has retrofocus as many SLR lenses do.

 

[MattKing]

No, the flange focal length will be different if the lens has retrofocus as many SLR lenses do.

Sirius:
I think you are confusing flange focal length with something else.

 

[baachitraka]

I see the flange focal length of my olympus OM with any zuiko lens is constant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance

If a tele photo lens is designed for a 6x6 folder then it should focus? Shouldn't it?

 

[BrianShaw]

There seem to be so many other, and perhaps better, ways to accomplish this goal. Graphic camera (baby as Dan has done or 4x5 as I have done) with a roll film back seems the natural solution. Why spend so much time and effort trying to McGuyver another way? What’s the real goal and constraints in this project? Or is this just “thinking aloud” at this point? There’s no problem with that, BTW.

 

[baachitraka]

This is not a project and I am least interested to spend time on it. Another day I saw a Prontor-SVS with 127mm lens and since then I am bit curious whether that fit into 6x6 folder. Yes, yes shutter size should also be considered. ;-)

 

[baachitraka]

I will stick wtih Biometer 120/180mm and they take good pictures.

 

[Dan Fromm]

The RB67 is an SLR....???? And the Crown Graphic is arguably a Range Finder Camera....????

Interesting idea about the RB67. I think -- could be mistaken -- that if you look closely you'll find that all lenses in RB mount focus to infinity at the same extension.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Sirius:
I think you are confusing flange focal length with something else.

I see the flange focal length of my olympus OM with any zuiko lens is constant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flange_focal_distance

If a tele photo lens is designed for a 6x6 folder then it should focus? Shouldn't it?

Yep, I was thinking of the node.