Has anyone tried Cameradactyl?

[Ariston]

I have been keeping an eye out for a 6X9 camera I can afford. This guy makes a plastic camera that uses Mamiya Press lenses, which are reputed to be great, along with Graflex backs.

The sample of images on Flickr for these things is very thin, so I was wondering if anyone here has any experience with it. Theoretically, it should allow for great images.

 

[ic-racer]

I can't picture Eggleston using one...Parr maybe...

 

[Paul Howell]

Does not look like a Mamiya back, so wondering how good the back will be keeping he film flat? Does it have frame counter or red window? Also plastic breech mount, will i warp in hot weather?

 

[Ariston]

Does not look like a Mamiya back, so wondering how good the back will be keeping he film flat? Does it have frame counter or red window? Also plastic breech mount, will i warp in hot weather?

It uses a Graflex back that you supply. That's why I say in theory it should be pretty good, as long as the distance from the lens to the back is right. It uses a Mamiya Press lens and Graflex back, both of which you supply.

 

[xya]

I have one and in my opinion it's pretty good. I made a page about it here http://www.oddcameras.com/cameradactyl_universal_travel.htm . it uses mamiya 23/univeral optics and graflok backs, which a part of the mamiyas uses as well. it seems to be a rough 3D print at first sight, but the optics and backs fit nicely. even the mamiya finders fit. my favorites are the 65mm and the 50mm. you can't do smaller and lighter in wide angle 6x9.

 

[Ariston]

I have one and in my opinion it's pretty good. I made a page about it here http://www.oddcameras.com/cameradactyl_universal_travel.htm . it uses mamiya 23/univeral optics and graflok backs, which a part of the mamiyas uses as well. it seems to be a rough 3D print at first sight, but the optics and backs fit nicely. even the mamiya finders fit. my favorites are the 65mm and the 50mm. you can't do smaller and lighter in wide angle 6x9.

Thank you for that post! So you find the results sharp and lacking light leaks?

This may be the option I'm looking for, and I love supporting creative film camera efforts like this.

 

[xya]

Thank you for that post! So you find the results sharp and lacking light leaks?

This may be the option I'm looking for, and I love supporting creative film camera efforts like this.

no leaks and the results are as sharp as they could be. for me it is the 6x9 option I was looking for, light and compact. my other favorite is the Lomo LC-A 120, as small as a folder and even lighter, but that's 6x6. if you are interested, I made a page here http://www.120folder.com/lomo_lca120.htm .

 

[wyofilm]

Not yet ... but I will.

 

[Dan Fromm]

I have been keeping an eye out for a 6X9 camera I can afford. This guy makes a plastic camera that uses Mamiya Press lenses, which are reputed to be great, along with Graflex backs.

The little Cameradactyl is cute and not very expensive. I think it will also take 2x3 Horseman roll holders, which are said to keep film flatter than Graflex backs. It should also accept Toyo roll holders. Basically anything with notches/slots for Graflok sliders to engage. See, e.g., https://mercurycamera.com/backs/com...cks-graflex-mamiya-rb67-horseman-and-mercury/ and https://1drv.ms/f/s!AggQfcczvHGNmC0J8_On1nsD3l0F

Lenses for the Mamiya Press system have good reputations and are fairly easy to find.

There are, though, other more flexible relatively inexpensive ways to get into 2x3 (2x3 is an abbreviation of 2.25" x 3.25", 6x9 is a poor metric approximation to the format's actual size). Look into the Century Graphic and 2x3 Crown and Pacemaker Speed Graphics. The Century/Crown can use the 35/4.5 Apo-Grandagon, the shortest lens that covers 2x3, but the shortest lens that will work on the 2x3 Pacemaker Speed is probably the 58/5.6 Konica-Hexanon/Omegon for Koni Omega/Rapid Omega cameras. To get an idea of what can be done with these cameras, see http://www.galerie-photo.com/telechargement/dan-fromm-6x9-lenses-v2-2011-03-29.pdf

If you decide to get a 2x3 Graphic, don't buy a camera without a focusing panel. Too many of the Centuries and 2x3 Crowns on ebay have a roll holder and no focusing panel. This limits them to using only the lens fitted, and then only if the RF is calibrated for that lens. Without a focusing panel focusing other lenses is impossible. That's one of the little Cameradactyl's advantages. Press lenses have focusing scales.

 

[Ariston]

The little Cameradactyl is cute and not very expensive. I think it will also take 2x3 Horseman roll holders, which are said to keep film flatter than Graflex backs. It should also accept Toyo roll holders. Basically anything with notches/slots for Graflok sliders to engage. See, e.g., https://mercurycamera.com/backs/com...cks-graflex-mamiya-rb67-horseman-and-mercury/ and https://1drv.ms/f/s!AggQfcczvHGNmC0J8_On1nsD3l0F

Lenses for the Mamiya Press system have good reputations and are fairly easy to find.

There are, though, other more flexible relatively inexpensive ways to get into 2x3 (2x3 is an abbreviation of 2.25" x 3.25", 6x9 is a poor metric approximation to the format's actual size). Look into the Century Graphic and 2x3 Crown and Pacemaker Speed Graphics. The Century/Crown can use the 35/4.5 Apo-Grandagon, the shortest lens that covers 2x3, but the shortest lens that will work on the 2x3 Pacemaker Speed is probably the 58/5.6 Konica-Hexanon/Omegon for Koni Omega/Rapid Omega cameras. To get an idea of what can be done with these cameras, see http://www.galerie-photo.com/telechargement/dan-fromm-6x9-lenses-v2-2011-03-29.pdf

If you decide to get a 2x3 Graphic, don't buy a camera without a focusing panel. Too many of the Centuries and 2x3 Crowns on ebay have a roll holder and no focusing panel. This limits them to using only the lens fitted, and then only if the RF is calibrated for that lens. Without a focusing panel focusing other lenses is impossible. That's one of the little Cameradactyl's advantages. Press lenses have focusing scales.

Wow, that is an impressive and exhaustive article! I actually have a 4x5 Graphic that John was nice enough to give me, and I know some people handhold the Graphics, but it's not something I am comfortable with... I use the ground glass. I am interested in a 6x9 that I am comfortable handholding. But after reading your paper, I may have to take another look at that option.

 

[Ariston]

I have to say, this guy is innovative! How is he not a millionaire?

https://www.cameradactyl.com/buttergrip/pinholio