Handholding a camera with a bulk film back?

B&Wpositive · Feb 17, 2010

Has anyone handheld--let alone used--a camera with a bulk film back? Can it technically be done? I'd want to use it for PJ/wedding type work. Here is why:

I want to shoot Kodak Vision3 500T film. The problem is, the labs that develop it only do so in longish lengths for motion picture users. I think a 250 exposure back for a Nikon F4 would hold enough that some lab would process it for a reasonable fee.

I'm guessing it would be quite unwieldy at first...and I'd have to really start working out, seriously...but it may be worth it.

removed-user-1 · Feb 17, 2010

B&Wpositive said:
Has anyone handheld--let alone used--a camera with a bulk film back? Can it technically be done? I'd want to use it for PJ/wedding type work. Here is why:

I want to shoot Kodak Vision3 500T film. The problem is, the labs that develop it only do so in longish lengths for motion picture users. I think a 250 exposure back for a Nikon F4 would hold enough that some lab would process it for a reasonable fee.

I'm guessing it would be quite unwieldy at first...and I'd have to really start working out, seriously...but it may be worth it.

I'm not sure where you would go to buy one of these but if you did manage to get one, I think you'd want a monopod.

Mick Fagan · Feb 17, 2010

I've used 250 backs with my F3 bodies. Trust me when I say you will be trembling with muscle fatigue shooting a wedding hand held.

You will need to find someone who can process your film with a roller transport processor, not a real easy task these days and not easy decades ago when I used these backs.

Great idea, but I wouldn't think the pluses outweigh the minuses.

Mick.

mopar_guy · Feb 17, 2010

I don't know about Nikon, but I have the Oympus 250 film back and it was designed to be used with the M. 18v control grip and Motor Drive. The grip attatches to the base of the motor drive and it works like a pistol grip with a built-in trigger.

gordrob · Feb 18, 2010

I use a Canon New F1 with a 100 frame back and speed finder. It is not that much heavier than the body with the motor drive attached but can become unwieldy with a long lens. I use it for shooting B&W because I can process the film on long roll Nikor reels. If finding someone to process colour film is going to be a problem it probably isn't worth your time or money.

Gord

B&Wpositive · Feb 20, 2010

gordrob said:
I use a Canon New F1 with a 100 frame back and speed finder. It is not that much heavier than the body with the motor drive attached but can become unwieldy with a long lens. I use it for shooting B&W because I can process the film on long roll Nikor reels. If finding someone to process colour film is going to be a problem it probably isn't worth your time or money.

Gord

That might be an option. If not, then once color film of ISO 800 is gone from the market, shooting color film in ambient lighting probably won't be feasible anymore. Digital will be the only way. I can't imagine pushing an ISO 400 film 4 to 6 stops to get a workable ISO 6400.

Handholding a camera with a bulk film back?

B&Wpositive

removed-user-1

Mick Fagan

mopar_guy

gordrob

B&Wpositive

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